WSP12647 ‎(2)‎

• File Number: 8282.400
• Description: Colorado River Operations and Accounting - Deliveries to Mexico
• State: CO
• Basin: Colorado Mainstem
• Water Division: 5
• Date: 6/1/1999
• Author: Environmental Defense Fund
• Title: A Delta Once More - Restoring Riparian and Wetland Habitat in the Colorado River Delta - Environmental Defense Fund - 06-01-99
• Water Supply Pro - Doc Type: Report/Study

OOo5~9

TABLE OF CONTENTS

EXECUTIVE SUM MARY ................................................................................__....................................-.............. iv

RES U MEN EJ E C UTI V 0 ..................................................._......................................................-............................. v

1. TH E DELTA IN CONTEXT .........................................0....................................................................................... 1

Overview ............................................................................................................,.........................................,...................... 1

The Delta of Yesterday ..............,........................................................................,........................................................... 2

The Colorado Basin Transformed ......,.....................,................................................................,................................ 2

The Delta Today-A Contemporary Geography .................................................................................................... 4

Recent Research Efforts .................................................................................................................,............................... 7

Protecting the Interests of the Delta's People ........................................................................................................ 7
Growing International Interest in the Delta ............................................................................................................ 8

2. W ATE R SO U R C ES IN TH E DEL TA ............................................................................................................... 11

The Law of the River ..................................................................................................................................................... 11

Apportioned Freshwater Flows .................................................................................................,.................,............. 12

TIdes and Floods ............................................................................................................................................................ 13

Agricultural Wastewater ..........................................................................................".................,................................ 15

3. DELTA HABITAT AND RESTORATION POTENTIAL .....................................................__..........__....... 17
The Delta's Ecological Significance ...........................................................................................................................17
The Environmental Defense Fund's Research in the Delta ............................................................................. 18
Flood Flows and Water Requirements of Delta Vegetation ..................................................................... 20
Delta Wetlands and Riparian Vegetation ....................................................................................................... 21

Threats to Delta Habitats ............................................................................................................................................ 29

Restoration Objectives ..............................................................................................,.................................................. 32

4. PO L ITI CAL LAN D SCAP E .............................................................................................................................. 33

Values of the Colorado River Delta ......................................................................................................................... 33

Preservation Strategies ....................................,........................................................................................................... 33

Agents of Change ........................................,................................................................................,................................ 34

International Boundary and Water Commission ......................................................................................... 34

International Authorities ...................,................................................................................................................... 35

Nationa I Agenci es . ..... ...... .......... ........ ............ ...... .............. ...... ........... ....... .......... ....................... ....... ..... ................ 35

Tribes, Basin States, and Local Communities ................................................................................................, 36

Nongovermental Organizations ..,.........................."..................................,............,.................,........................36

Other Organizations and Authorities ...............................................................................................................37

Legal Mechanisms ..............................................................................................................................,....,...............37

Related Efforts and Opportunities ............................................................................................................................ 38
Colorado River Entitlements and California's 4.4 Plan ..............................................................................38

Salton Sea .....................................................................,............................................................................................ 38

Yuma Desalting Plant ................................................. ........................................................................................... 40

Lower Colorado Conservation Planning ......................................................................................................... 40
All American Canal and Delivery of Water to Mexico ..............................................................................40