Colorado River Restoration

1107 Words3 Pages

Introduction
The topic of this literature review is restoration of the lower Colorado River Delta; the review will focus on pulse water flows as a method of restoration. Pulse flows are planned water releases from dams following years of water and sediment buildup behind dams. Hydrologist and advocates of pulse water releases believe that by adding water to a dry system, they can restore riparian areas by germinating native plants and providing habitat for endangered species. Furthermore, these pulse water flows can increase the productivity of fisheries, benefiting the public in downstream regions of the river.
Today, pulse flows are being released at the southernmost dam of the Colorado Rivers as a part of a bi-national agreement between …show more content…

The review will summarize the costs and benefits of Minute 319, in the context of ecological and environmental health. The potential impacts on municipal and agricultural water resources will be addressed.
The review will answer the following questions:
• How much water should be allocated for successful restoration?
• What parameters indicate successful restoration?
• What were some results of pulse water releases, and what are some management implications?
Annotated Bibliography Glenn, Edward P., Karl W. Flessa, and Jennifer Pitt. 2013. “Restoration Potential of the Aquatic Ecosystems of the Colorado River Delta, Mexico: Introduction to Special Issue on ‘Wetlands of the Colorado River Delta.’” Colorado Delta Wetlands 59 (0): 1–6. …show more content…

The paper includes a description of the wetlands and their ecological importance, as well as the political and economic impacts the highly managed and controlled system has on the areas that use its water. The paper summarizes and provides context for the preliminary research projects in the region. The paper states "water dedicated to the delta ecosystem will come at a cost". This is an important issue and refers to the fact that the water that is allowed to naturally flow downstream for environmental restoration purposes will not be used for municipal or agricultural use. The paper does not quantify the costs. It does however state, that the amount of water allocated for restoration in the delta will not be determined by science alone, but will most likely be determined by policy makers and stakeholders. Consistent monitoring of the ecological changes following the pulse flow release is essential for better management and continuous restoration of the river's riparian areas and the Colorado River Delta. Ramírez-Hernández, Jorge, Osvel Hinojosa-Huerta, Mauricio Peregrina-Llanes, Alejandra Calvo-Fonseca, and Edgar Carrera-Villa. 2013. “Groundwater Responses to Controlled Water Releases in the Limitrophe Region of the Colorado River: Implications for Management and Restoration.” Colorado Delta Wetlands 59 (0): 93–103.

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