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<br />I- /'T "'''''' <br /> <br />e <br /> <br />e e <br /> <br />PLANNING AND STATUS OF THE COLORADO RIVER AUGMENTATION <br />DEMONSTRATION PROGRAM <br /> <br />Dr. Bernard A. Silverman <br />"Bureau of :Reclamation <br />Denver, Colorado 80225 <br /> <br />1. Background <br /> <br />Water is the most critical factor in the reSQurce equation that enriches <br />and rewards human endeavor in the West. However, the natural water supply <br />of the Colorado River, which is a source of water to over half of the <br />population of eleven western states, is rapidly becoming inadequate to <br />meet the needs of its various users. This demand is directly related to the <br />historically arid ,conditions of the basin and the lack of adequate stream- <br />flow to meet existing conditions. Projections have been made that indicate <br />with future development and growth, water shor~ages will begin to occur <br />as early as 1990 in the lower basin and grow increasingly more severe <br />" ,'thereafter. Although large amounts of water presently in reservoir storage <br />e will temporarily meet basin demands and excess flows may occur with normal <br />precipitation ,over the next 10 to 20 years, projected requirements would <br />exceed natura 1 flows by severa 1 mi 11 i on acre-feet annually after .~ <br />"\ . <br />that time. Increased water supplies will be needed due to rapidly expanding-" <br />population and industry in the region; salinity control and other water <br />quality problems; irri,gation; reservoir and streamflow maintenance <br />for environmental, wildlife, and recreational benefits; and hydroelectric <br />power generation. Another significant factor affecting water and energy <br />requ1.rements'in the region will' be the :rate at which 01.1 shale, coal, <br />and oil reserves in the basin are developed. Additionally, a greater <br />percentage of water is exported from the Colorado River than any other <br />major river system in the United States, including 1.5 million acre-feet <br />annually to meet the national obligation under the Mexican Water Treaty <br />of 1944. <br /> <br />e <br /> <br />There may be no one best solution to solve the impending water shortages, <br />but instead, a combination of augmentation and conservation methods will be <br />