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A National Treasure The Colorado River is a symbol of the Southwest. Its water is not merely a commodity, but the lifeblood of economies in the seven basin states. Just as humans rely on healthy blood flow for survival, residents of the Southwest rely on water flow from this mighty river to thrive.
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A National Treasure The Colorado River is a symbol of the
Southwest.
Its water is not merely a commodity, but the lifeblood of economies
in the seven basin states. Just as humans rely on healthy blood
flow for survival, residents of the Southwest rely on water flow
from this mighty river to thrive. The Basin Region Nearly 40
million Americans depend on the Colorado River for their water
supply. The Colorado River Basin spans parts of the seven basin
statesArizona, California, Colorado, New Mexico, Nevada, Utah, and
Wyoming. The Basin covers approximately 242,000 square miles
(one-twelfth of the continental U.S.). One of the most critical
sources of water in the West. Supplies water for nearly 40 million
people for municipal use, irrigates 5.5 million acres of land, and
provides water for 22 federally recognized tribes, 7 National
Wildlife Refuges, 4 National Recreation Areas, and 11 National
Parks. Hydropower facilities along the Colorado River provide more
than 4,200 megawatts of electrical generating capacity. Source:
U.S. Department of the Interior, Bureau of Reclamation, Colorado
River Basin Water Supply and Demand Study More Than Just a
Commodity
The Colorado River supports a quarter million jobsand produces $26
billion in economic output from recreational activities alone. This
economic output is drawing revenue from the 5.36 million adults who
use the Colorado River for a variety of activities each year.
Source: Environmental Defense Fund Uncertain Future As water demand
formunicipal and agriculturalpurposes increases to servethe needs
of growingpopulations, ensuring theavailability of water for non-
consumptive uses such asthe environment, recreation,and hydropower
becomesincreasingly challenging. Source: U.S. Department of the
Interior, Bureau of Reclamation, Colorado River Basin Water Supply
and Demand Study Uncertain Future As water demand formunicipal and
agriculturalpurposes increases to servethe needs of
growingpopulations, ensuring theavailability of water for non-
consumptive uses such asthe environment, recreation,and hydropower
becomesincreasingly challenging. Source: U.S. Department of the
Interior, Bureau of Reclamation, Colorado River Basin Water Supply
and Demand Study Population Colorado River Basin States |
2014
0.58M 2.84M 2.94M 5.36M 38.80M 6.73M 2.09M Colorado River Basin
Population Total = 59.34M U.S. Total = M Colorado River Basin Share
of U.S. Population = 18.6% Note: California makes up 65.4% of total
Colorado River Basin population. Colorado River Basin Total: 59.34M
United States Total: M Source: U.S. Census Bureau, population
estimates as of July 1 of each year Population Growth State
Comparisons | 2013-2014
United States: +0.7% Excludes District of Columbia Source: U.S.
Census Bureau, population estimates as of July 1 of each year,
Population Growth Colorado River Basin States | 2013-2014
+0.2% +1.7% +1.4% +1.6% +1.0% +1.5% -0.1% Colorado River Basin
Population Total YoY Growth = +1.1% (59.3M in 2014 vs 58.7M in
2013) U.S. Population Growth = +0.7% Colorado River Basin Share of
U.S. Population = 18.6% Colorado River Basin Total: +1.1% United
States Total: +0.7% Source: U.S. Census Bureau, population
estimates as of July 1 of each year, Population Growth Colorado
River Basin States | 2004-2014
+14.7% +21.0% +22.5% +17.1% +9.1% +19.1% +9.6% Colorado River Basin
Population Total Growth 2004 vs 2014 = +12.0% (59.3M in 2014 vs.
53.0M in 2004) U.S. Population Growth = +8.9% Colorado River Basin
Share of U.S. Population = 18.6% Colorado River Basin Total: +12.0%
United States Total: +8.9% Source: U.S. Census Bureau, population
estimates as of July 1 of each year, Employment Colorado River
Basin States | 2015
Trailing 12-Month Average; Establishment-based Employment. Colorado
River Basin Employment Total = 24.91M U.S. Employment = M Colorado
River Basin Share of U.S. Employment = 17.6% Note: California makes
up about 64.4% of total Colorado River Basin employment. Colorado
River Basin Total: 24.91M United States Total: M Source: U.S.
Bureau of Labor Statistics, estimates as of October 2015, Not
Seasonally Adjusted Employment Growth State Comparisons |
2014-2015
United States: +1.9% Excludes District of Columbia Source: U.S.
Bureau of Labor Statistics, Establishment-Based Employment Growth,
October 2014 vs. October 2015, Not Seasonally Adjusted Employment
Growth Colorado River Basin States | 2014-2015
+0.2% +3.4% +3.5% +2.1% +2.9% +2.3% +0.3% Colorado River Basin
Employment Growth Average (TTM) = +2.7% U.S. Employment Growth
Average (TTM) = +1.9% Colorado River Basin Share of U.S. Employment
= 17.6% Colorado River Basin Average: +2.7% United States Average:
+1.9% Source: U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, Establishment-Based
Employment Growth, October 2014 vs. October 2015, Not Seasonally
Adjusted Employment Growth Colorado River Basin States |
2005-2015
+9.9% +2.0% +19.7% +13.1% +7.7% +4.1% +1.9% Colorado River Basin
Employment Growth Average (TTM) = 7.9% U.S. Employment Growth
Average (TTM) = 6.0% Colorado River Basin Share of U.S. Employment
= 17.6% Colorado River Basin Average: +7.9% United States Average:
+6.0% Source: U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, Establishment-Based
Employment Growth, October 2005 vs. October 2015, Not Seasonally
Adjusted Unemployment Rate State Comparisons | October 2015
United States: 5.0% Excludes District of Columbia Source: U.S.
Bureau of Labor Statistics, Seasonally Adjusted Unemployment Rate
Colorado River Basin States | 2005-2015
New Mexico: 6.8% Nevada: 6.6% Arizona: 6.1% California: 5.8%
Wyoming: 4.0% United States Unemployment Rate: 5.0% Average
Colorado River Basin States Unemployment Rate: 5.2% Colorado: 3.8%
Utah: 3.6% Source: U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, Seasonally
Adjusted Private Businesses Colorado River Basin States | Q1
2015
24.4K 76.5K 87.8K 180.5K 1.4M 53.0K 147.5K Latest available data.
Colorado River Basin Private Businesses Total = 1.94M U.S. Total =
9.17M Upper Basin Share of U.S. Private Businesses = 21.2% Note:
California makes up 70.7% of total Colorado River Basin private
businesses. Colorado River Basin Total: 1.9M United States Total:
9.2M Source: U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics Gross Domestic Product
Colorado River Basin States | 2014
Colorado River Basin GDP Total = $3.3 trillion U.S. Total GDP =
$17.3 trillion Colorado River Basin Share of U.S. GDP = 19.1% Note:
California makes up 69.8% of total Colorado River Basin GDP and
13.3% of US GDP. Colorado River Basin Total: $3.3T United States
Total: $17.3T Source: U.S. Department of Commerce, Bureau of
Economic Analysis Total = $1,298 billion Source: Arizona State
University, The Economic Importance of the Colorado River to the
Basin Region Gross Domestic Product State Comparisons | 2014
United States Average: $344.0B Excludes District of Columbia
Source: U.S. Department of Commerce, Bureau of Economic Analysis
Personal Income Colorado River Basin States | 2014
Colorado River Basin Personal Income Total = $2.8 trillion U.S.
Personal Income = $14.7 trillion Colorado River Basin Share of U.S.
Personal Income = 19.0% Note: California accounts for 69.5% of
total Colorado River Basin personal income. Colorado River Basin
Total: $2.8T United States Total: $14.7T Source: U.S. Bureau of
Economic Analysis Personal Income Per Capita State Comparisons |
2014
United States: $46,129 Excludes District of Columbia Source: U.S.
Bureau of Economic Analysis The river supports a diversity of
industries located in the seven Colorado River basin states,
including a $26 billion recreation economy that is not fully
accounted for in the ASU study. Source: Arizona State University,
The Economic Importance of the Colorado River to the Basin Region
The Challenge The future of the Colorado River is at risk because
demand for the water is already exceeding its supply. If we do not
address the problem, the Colorado River cannot continue to support
the 40 million people who depend on it. Picture is of Echo Bay at
Lake Mead (2015) Source: U.S. Department of the Interior, Bureau of
Reclamation The Challenge The future of the Colorado River is at
risk because demand for the water is already exceeding its supply.
If we do not address the problem, the Colorado River cannot
continue to support the 40 million people who depend on it. Picture
is of Echo Bay at Lake Mead (2015) Source: U.S. Department of the
Interior, Bureau of Reclamation For more than 14years, the basin
and theWestern states havebeen plagued bydrought. Almost everyyear,
all of the waterfrom the Colorado Riveris pumped out beforeemptying
into the Gulf ofMexico. Source: The Washington Post, Online Edition
3/30/2015 Lake Powell at 45 Percent of Capacity
Lake Powell is at 45 percent of capacity and is at risk of its
surface elevation falling to the lowest level on record. Source:
The Washington Post, Online Edition 3/30/2015 Update: As of
12/13/15, Lake Powell is at 49.7% of capacity. Source: The
Washington Post, Online Edition 3/30/2015 Beach That Used To Be at
the Bottom
Lake Powell: A beach that used to be at the bottom of the lake.
Source: The Washington Post, Online Edition 3/30/2015 Glen Canyon
Dam: The divider between the Upper and Lower Colorado River
Basins
Source: The Washington Post, Online Edition 3/30/2015 Lake Powell:
The Bathtub Ring Water Shortage Impacts Alabama (2007):
Temperatures were higher than those witnessed in more than 50
years:
1. The Tennessee Valley Authority shut down one of three reactors
at Browns Ferry Nuclear Plant to avoid heating the Tennessee River
to dangerous levels (first icon). 2. Power bills increased because
there was not enough water to produce hydroelectric power (second
icon). Nevada (2008): A report detailing the impacts of potential
water shortages noted the following:
1. Population growth would be hurt. 2. Consumer spending would
decline (first icon). 3. Golfing would be one of the hardest hit
recreational activities (second icon). 4. The threat of forest
fires would result in fewer visits to national parks (third icon).
5. Further development would be unlikely because water would be
directed to existing sites. California (2009): A state of emergency
was declared due to drought conditions:
1. All urban water users were asked to reduce individual water use
by 20 percent (first icon). 2. Avocado farming revenues decreased
by 10 percent (second icon). 3. Fishing was halted to protect
salmon population, resulting in a loss of 2,690 jobs and $279
million in economic activity for the season (third icon). 4. By
2020, water shortages will cost taxpayers an estimated $1.6 billion
per year (fourth icon). Arizona (2010): Drought caused low levels
along the Colorado River:
1. Caused hydropower generation to drop by 20 percent. 2. By 2016,
the state could face pulling out less water from the Colorado River
if the Rocky Mountain snowpack does not improve. The snowpack
supports 40 million users in seven western states. Colorado (2011):
Drought plagued agricultural producers throughout southern
Colorado:
1. Caused more than $100 million in lost economic activity
throughout Rio Grande and Arkansas Basin (two watersheds in
Colorado) (first icon). 2. Additional feed costs totaled $110
million (second icon). 3. Less plant life resulted in less food for
wildlife, forcing more animals into human habitats (third icon).
Oklahoma (2011): Low lake levels impacted recreational
activities:
1. Boats continually ran aground (first icon). 2. Fish levels
declined due to smaller fish having no cover to hide from predators
(second icon). Kansas (2012): Crops were destroyed due to severe
drought:
1. Caused corn prices to increase due to less supply (first icon).
2. With less food available to feed livestock, cattle prices
dropped from $1.60 per pound to $1.20 per pound (second icon).
Middle Mississippi River (stretch from St
Middle Mississippi River (stretch from St. Louis, MO to Cairo, IL)
(2013): The middle Mississippi River is suffering its worst drought
in 50 years: 1. The river has lost depth, causing barges to have to
lighten their loads to avoid bottoming out (first icon). 2. In
January, more than $7 billion worth of goods was at risk of not
reaching their destination. 3. Farmers are paying more to ship
crops (second and third icons). New Mexico (2013): 87 percent of
the western U. S
New Mexico (2013): 87 percent of the western U.S. is in a drought,
but New Mexico is facing the worst conditions. The whole state is
now in a drought, with three-quarters categorized as severe or
exceptional. The last three years have been the driest and warmest
since record-keeping began in Deficits will require several years
of normal rainfall to erase. 1. Reservoir storage statewide is 17
percent of normal, which is the lowest in the West (first icon). 2.
Residents in some towns are drilling deep wells that cost $100,000
or more to sink (second icon). 3. Wildlife managers believe the
unusually high number of deer and antelope killed on the states
highways are a result of the animals taking greater risks to find
water (third icon). 4. Thousands of trees have died, low yields and
crop failures are the norm and livestock levels are one-fifth of
normal (fourth icon). Western U.S. (2013): Fifty-one major
uncontained wildfires are burning throughout the west; many likely
due to drought conditions. States affected include California,
Arizona, Idaho, Montana, Nevada, Oregon, Utah, Washington and
Wyoming. 1. More than 19,000 firefighters are fighting the fires
(first icon). 2. The U.S. Forest Service says it is running out of
money to fight wildfires and is diverting $600 million from timber,
recreation and other areas to fill the gap. The agency has spent
$967 million so far this year and is now down to $50 million in
available funds (second icon). 3. Many homes and campsites are at
risk (some have even been destroyed) and are being evacuated (third
icon). 4. There have been more than 32,000 fires this year that
have burned 5,300 square miles (fourth icon). Texas has been prone
to cycles of drought for centuries, and its burgeoning population
(1st icon) and economy are creating an increasingly unquenchable
demand for water. Voters approved $2 billion in new funding for
water projects (2nd icon) Irrigation water from the Rio Grande is
vitally important to farmers (3rd icon) in the lower Rio Grande
Valleya key agricultural region Texas Commission on Environmental
Quality and the Texas Dept of Agriculture estimated the loss of Rio
Grande irrigation could cost the region $394.9 million in lost
economic output as well as 4,840 jobs (4th icon) linked to
agricultural production and sales. Californias 4th year of severe
drought is on track to cause and economic loss of roughly $3
billion in 2015up from about $2.2 billion last year. Agriculture
affectedwill drive up consumer food prices 17,000 jobs lost in 2014
20,000+ expected job loss in 2015 U.S. Drought Monitor shows 93% of
California remains in severe drought Sierra snowpackthe key water
source for much of the stateremains at only 19% of average
Https://www.ncdc.noaa.gov/sotc/summary-info/national/201511 First
eleven months of 2015 were the fifth warmest for the Lower 48
Autumn was record warm for the Contiguous US Contiguous U.S.
average temperature from Sept-Nov was 56.8F, 3.3F above the
20thcentury average Surpassed the previous record of 56.6F set in
1963 Average temperature in November was 44.7F, 3.0F above the
20thcentury average and the 13thwarmest in the 121-year period of
record Droughts Economic Consequences
The Colorado River generates $871 billion in wages and labor income
in the Basin Region every year. All business sectors risk economic
losses if we further deplete this resource. Source: Arizona State
University, The Economic Importance of the Colorado River to the
Basin Region Droughts Economic Consequences
The Colorado River generates $871 billion in wages and labor income
in the Basin Region every year. All business sectors risk economic
losses if we further deplete this resource. Source: Arizona State
University, The Economic Importance of the Colorado River to the
Basin Region The Law of the River The Colorado River is managed and
operated under numerous compacts, federal laws, court decisions and
decrees, contracts and regulatory guidelines. Known as the Law of
the River, this collection of documents apportions the water and
regulates the use and management of the Colorado River among the
seven basin states and Mexico. The Colorado River Compact of 1922
is the cornerstone of the Law of the River. It was negotiated by
the seven Colorado River Basin states and the federal government.
However, it put the river on an unsustainable course. Based on
flows from a wetter time, the 1922 Colorado River Compact divvied
out one-fifth more river water than what exists today. The
Colorados modern notoriety stems not from its wild rapids and
plunging canyons but from the fact that it is the most legislated,
most debated, and most litigated river in the entire world. It also
has more people, more industry, and a more significant economy
dependent on it than any comparable river in the world. Source:
U.S. Department of the Interior, Bureau of Reclamation Demand
Exceeds Supply By 2060, we can expect a 3.8 million acre-foot
deficit in water supply from the Colorado River. Coming up short
could put 36 million peoples drinking water, agriculture, future
economic growth and the $26.4 billion outdoor recreational economy
and put a quarter-million jobs in jeopardy. In addition, the rivers
imbalance is wreaking havoc on the Wests natural ecosystems,
harming world-class fisheries and unique natural wonders. The
ripple effect goes even further, and will impact everything from
cost of vegetables to the eroding economic base for the hundreds of
communities along the banks of the river, and the entire Western
United States. Source: Common-Sense Solutions for a Reliable Water
Future for the Colorado River Basin Mean Gap in Supply and
Demand
This graph shows the mean water supply and water demand analyses
from the Basin Study (conducted by the Bureau of Reclamation
referenced earlier in this presentation). Because of rising demands
in the basin states, mean water demands already exceed supply. The
projected imbalance between mean supply and projected demand over
the next 50 years is presented as the red wedge. The blue
areasupplyalso comes from the Basin Study, which projects mean
supplies declining be cause of climate change. Taken together, the
gap between mean water supply and demand could grow to more than
3.8 million acre-feet by The Basin Studys authors suggested that
water shortages affecting agriculture, rural areas and cities
(including their economic growth potential) as well as damage to
the environmental habitats and healthy rivers that support the
regions recreation and tourism economy are likely to occur absent
strategies that reduce this mean projected imbalance. Source:
Common-Sense Solutions for a Reliable Water Future for the Colorado
River Basin Cause of the Imbalance SUPPLY DEMAND
Population Growth Climate Change SUPPLY Whats driving the supply
and demand imbalance? Demand is increasing because of the
skyrocketing population growth in the Colorado River basins seven
states Supply is dwindling because of a downward trend of less
runoff from rain and snowmelt. The Colorado River is being
exhausted by a 14-year drought, unprecedented in the last 1,000
years. DEMAND Source: Common-Sense Solutions for a Reliable Water
Future for the Colorado River Basin Protecting More Than Just
Water
$1.4 ECONOMIC ACTIVITY TRILLION $871 WAGES BILLION 16 JOBS MILLION
Without the full availability of Colorado River water at current
levels, the combined economy of the Basin Region is estimated to
fall by over $1.4 trillion (2014$). Over $871 billion (2014 $) in
labor income relies on the current availability of the Colorado
River water throughout the Basin Region. In excess of 16 million
jobs in the Basin Region rely of the availability of Colorado River
water at current availability levels each year. Over 14 million of
these jobs are estimated to be in the private sector. This means
that the Colorado River is estimated to help generate almost 12.2%
of national private employment in the Basin Region. Source: Arizona
State University, The Economic Importance of the Colorado River to
the Basin Region Top 5 Private Sectors Affected By Water Shortfall
For One Year
$174.3 Billion Real Estate and Rental $148.6 Billion Healthcare and
Social Services $137.1 Billion Finance and Insurance $130.6 Billion
Professional, Scientific and Technical Services $96.2 Billion
Retail Trade Source: Arizona State University, The Economic
Importance of the Colorado River to the Basin Region Estimates of
Total Economic Impacts Based on Future Water Loss
Percent Decline in Availability of Colorado River Water Gross State
Product Employment Labor Income 10% $143.4 Billion 1.6 Million
$87.1 Billion 15% $215.1 Billion 2.4 Million $130.7 Billion 25%
$358.5 Billion 4.0 Million $217.9 Billion 50% $717.1 Billion 8.0
Million $435.7 Billion 75% $1,075.6 Billion 12.0 Million $653.6
Billion Extrapolated estimates of total economic impacts of
different amounts of Colorado River water loss for the entire Basin
Region. Source: Arizona State University, The Economic Importance
of the Colorado River to the Basin Region Water resources are an
essential element of economic development and
diversification.
Preserving water resources is critical to protecting the Basin
Regions economies. A comprehensive, master-planned approach is
necessary and appropriate.
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