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Nature.org talked to Taylor Hawes, director of The Nature Conservancy's Colorado River, to learn how growing demand for water is affecting this iconic river system, and how a water certification program can help improve the health of the river.
“The Colorado River is a lifeline in the arid West. In its entirety, the river basin:
- Drains approximately 246,000 square miles;
- Spans seven states and two countries;
- Provides drinking water for more than 30 million people; and
- Irrigates 3.5 million acres of agriculture.
"The Colorado River and its tributaries are also globally significant for freshwater biodiversity. More than 60 percent of its native fish are not found anywhere else in the world and it has about 45 different ecosystem types, from the Rocky Mountains to the Sea of Cortez.
"One of the greatest threats to the basin is dramatic changes in natural water flow patterns due to increased human use. Extreme drought over the last eight to 10 years — coupled with the unknown effects of climate change — has added additional stress and uncertainty to the balance between human consumption and the basin’s natural health.
"The Colorado River Basin will continue to see a remarkable increase in human demand over the coming decades. Climate change and continued drought will have undeniably negative effects on the health of its ecosystems.
"A water stewardship certification program that recognizes and rewards sustainable water use could greatly improve the health of the Colorado.
"We need a system that can work within the often complicated laws that govern the Colorado and that will ensure that water savings translate into more water flowing through the river."
Nature picture credits (top to bottom, left to right): Photo © Tom Till (Colorado River, Utah); Photo © Rob Buirgy (Taylor Hawes).
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