Books: Colorado River Basin Water Management

Colorado River Basin Water Management: Evaluating and Adjusting to Hydroclimatic Variability
Tree-ring based reconstructions of the Colorado River's flow over hundreds of years show that average annual flows vary more than previously assumed and that extended droughts are not uncommon, says a new report from the National Research Council. Future droughts may be longer and more severe because of a regional warming trend that shows no signs of dissipating, the report adds. It also states that a preponderance of evidence suggests that rising temperatures will reduce the river's flow and water supplies. Coping with water shortages is becoming more difficult because of rapid population growth, and technology and conservation will not provide a panacea for dealing with limited water supplies in the long run, the report warns.

Order the full report here.