4201

• UCREFRP Catalog Number: 4201
• Author: Anonymous.
• Title: Controversy in the Mid '60's
• USFW Year: n.d.
• USFW - Doc Type: Unsolved Questions.
• Copyright Material: YES

1;1 THE A~'ERICAN \ftJEST-BATTlE FOR V/ATER GRO\YS BITTER

ORI:GON AND WASHINGTON-They hold the big
trump card in Western water fight. Main stem of
Columbia River provides both States with a wealth
of water. Neither is eager to share water with the
Southwest.

IJlAWl- Battling against Southwesterners who
want to divert water from Snake River to ease
their shortages.

MONTANA.-Starting late to claim its share of
water from Columbia and Missouri. Both rivers
have headwaters in the State.

!WS.-Wants to draw water from the Mississippi
to irrigate its western plains. Mississippi River
States are up in arms.
Also suggested: Tap the Missouri where it
leaves South Dakota. Then irrigate the Great
Plains from a canal running through Nebraska,
Kansas, Colorado, Oklahoma Cind West Texas and
ending in New Mexico.

NORTH AND SOUTH DAKOTA-Serving notice
they Will fight any plan to divert water from the
Missouri. Both States have vast irrigation proj-
ects planned.

DREG.

MONT.

S.D.

CALIF.

WYo.

nEBR.

NEV.

, COLO.

N.M.

TEX.

CAUFORNJA-Demanding first call on Colorado
River water to keep aqueduct in southern Cali-
fornia flowing. Pushing plan to bring water from
Columbia River to the Southwest.

ARIZONA- Desperate. Determined to get its share
of Colorado River water through Central Arizona
Project. An Arizona Congressman warns Califor.
nians that his State will get water "over your dead
bodies," if necessary.

COl.ORAJlO~ln uneasy pact with California, seek-.
. ing diversion of water from the Columbia to ease

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KANS.

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drain on Colorado River. Unless present supply
is augmented, boom on eastern slope of Rockies
is in danger.

tLEW MEXICO- Fighting tooth and nail for Hooker
Dam on the Gila River. Now has only enough water
to assure growth of one large city-Albuquerque.

UTAH-Struggling to protect its modest share of
Colorado River water. Even with this, State has
only enough for one big urban area -Salt lake
City region. Along with Wyoming and Colorado,
Utah will need water for oil.shale development