FLOOD10416

• County: Statewide
• Title: Historical Perspectives on Colorado Drought
• Date: 12/1/2003
• Prepared For: CWCB
• Prepared By: HDR
• Floodplain - Doc Type: Educational/Technical/Reference Information

Historical Perspectives on Colorado Drought

Ecological implications

Ecological implications of drought in Colorado arc exacerbated by human activity in
the region. \V oodhouse el al. (2002) suggest that the mid_19lh century drought
(discussed later), which is believed to have been a factor in the decimation of bison
populations, "would have had a very limited effect on the bison population if human
activities had not been a factor." Even today, the fateful combination of humans and
drought continues to threaten the state's natural resources.

lable

The state of Colorado rations its limited water supply through a complex system of
appropriative water rights. Iluman uscs, including agricultural. municipal,
hydropower, and recreational uses. withdraw every possible drop of water avai
to them.

As a consequence of the governing water laws and the cxtensive development of land
and water promoted therein. "some rivers havc been drawn critically low and some
have even dried up completely with little regard for the fish. wildlife, and people who
rely upon healthy rivers" (Trout Unlimited 2002).

Such overusc ofriverine resources occurs on a regular basis during years with norma
precipitation. The adverse effects of drought could create a dire situation for the
state's aquatic ecosystems, which may sufTer irreversible harm should prolonged
drought strike Colorado in the future. Valuable assets at risk include the following:

Fisheries
Wildlife
Biodiversity
Water quality and temperature
Aesthetics

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.
.
.
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A stark example of the ecological threat posed by drought is the increased risk of
wildfires. According to information available from the National Climate Data Center
(NeDe 2003). the drought of20021eft the state extremely vulnerable to wildfires.
with a total of915.oo0 acres being burned statewide.

Sociological implications

From a sociological pt....spective. "substantial differences in both water resource
conditions and the sociaVeconomiclpolitical context of potentially impacted areas
imply a potentially broad range of variability in the type and extent of impacts that
might ensue from a scycre sustained drought" (Krannich et al. 1995).

In order to assess water scarcity impacts. therefore. anention must be focused on
specific water user communities. Water user communities vary significantly within
the major river basins. As our Colorado society grows population shifts and
increases are very likely. A subscquent ch3pter will cover this topic further.

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