Laserfiche WebLink
<br />. <br /> <br />. <br /> <br />(.l,) <br />-..J <br />(,0 <br />~ <br /> <br />. <br /> <br />. <br /> <br />. <br /> <br />. <br /> <br />. <br /> <br />. <br /> <br />. <br /> <br />. <br /> <br />. <br /> <br />Man's Impact on the Colorado River <br /> <br />The waters of the Colorado River are the key to the future ability <br /> <br />of the basin to meet the diverse demands placed upon its resources. <br /> <br />Resources in the basin are expected to serve the physical as well as the <br /> <br />aesthetic needs of individuals in society. On the one hand, the river and <br /> <br />related resources are called upon to provide for growing energy demands, <br /> <br />food and fiber needs, and personal needs for job income and housing; on <br /> <br />the other hand, they must also provide for the recreational, environ- <br /> <br />mental and aesthetic needs of man. These many competing demands for <br /> <br />use of the resources of the Colorado River Basin have led to three <br /> <br />important, impacts of man on the river system. <br />:,7ff:lrdE <br />, Physical Development. In order to satisfy over time the grow. <br /> <br />ing needs for Colorado River water and related resources, the river <br />C !o4ktf #'t :V't^,try <br />system has developed into one of the most ~y regulated rivers in the <br /> <br />world. The many dams and storage reservoirs, water diversion and <br /> <br />conveyance systems, and aquaducts for out of basin exports all attest <br /> <br />to this fact. The water resources system is carefully managed to main- <br /> <br />tain the proper balance of reservoir storage and releases in order to <br /> <br />deliver water for various water uses to meet hydropower generating <br /> <br />requirements, to provide for fish and wildlife, recreational uses and, <br /> <br />in general, to attain the best utilization of the basins fixed water supplies. <br /> <br />5 <br /> <br />,J <br />