Analysing News Reports on the Colorado River Crisis

Origin of Scientific Information

The origin of the scientific data published by Tony Davis in the Arizona Daily article was derived from a publication compiled by four master’s students who studied at the University of California-Santa Barbara (Davis, 2015). The students completed the research under the supervision of a water research expert Douglas Kenney at the University of Colorado in Boulder. The scientific study by the students explored the probable outcomes of shortage of supply of water by the Colorado River. The Colorado River distributes water to Arizona and California. The impact of water supply shortage on any individual or organization relying on electricity from Hover Dam would be disastrous because of the increase in the cost of energy (Davis, 2015). The water deficit will also have negative effects on Lake Mead as an attraction site. The research is referred to as “The Bathtub Ring” christened after the white covering of Lake Mead.

Expertise of the Scientists

Consistent with Mr. Davis, the researchers involved in the study had varying degrees of expertise and experience when examining the Colorado River. There were no previous studies conducted by the four students on rivers or the alteration in levels of numerous waterways. The research comprised of the four students and Mr. Davis (Davis, 2015). Kennedy, the director of students, gave acknowledged them for putting maximum efforts on the objective of the research. Mr. Davis also mentions the following experts in the article: “Bob Johnson, Phoenix-based authority's interim executive director, Thomas Buschatzke Arizona water chief, Christie Vanover, National Park Service spokeswoman, Bill Hasencamp, Metropolitan's Colorado River programs director, Mitch Basefsky, Central Arizona Project (CAP) spokesman, Kathleen Ferris, Arizona water official, and attorney.” (Davis, 2015).

Alternative Views

In the article, Mr. Davies provides the alternatives for the inspection of the probable outcomes as a result of a deficit in the distribution of water on River Colorado. The topics that Davis covered in the article include the bearing of the local electricity charges to the consumers that depend on the electricity produced from Hoover Dam, the impact of tourist activities on Lake Mead, and the extreme impacts on the delta of River Colorado (Davis, 2015). According to the latest statistics, each year, five million tourists visit Lake Mead. There are numerous debates on how water levels in Lake Mead will impact tourist visits (Davis, 2015). In 2015 tourism in the area increased by 32% that can be credited to improved publicity; however, the concern is that boat ramps do not conform to the desired level of water (Davis, 2015). The energy harnessed from the Hoover Dam is utilized by several communities, which would be impacted negatively if the generation of electricity was to be limited.

The Hoover Dam has meticulously served to enhance the competence of the generators present at the dam. Besides, the rise in utilization of gas to generate electricity has led to the rapid rise in the cost of energy (Davis, 2015). The article also alludes to the delta obliteration if diminutive or no water gets to the sea delta. Previously the delta was enriched with natural life and vegetation, which with time would be condensed to a muddy region with minimal cover.

Comparing and Contrasting Article Information

Comparing the article by Tony Davis “Study: Colorado River shortage could hit Arizona hard” to the corresponding unit article by Sarah Zielinski “The Colorado River Runs Dry; Dams, irrigation and now climate change have drastically reduced the once-mighty river. Is it a sign of things to come?" The two authors Mr. Davis and Zielinski concur that the Colorado River is a valuable reserve flowing way below its required capacity (Davis, 2015). Besides, the articles state that various states (Colorado, Utah, California, Nevada, Arizona, and New Mexico) all depend on the Colorado River, to meet the demands of their expansive populations. Therefore, as a consequence, the river cannot reach the sea (Zielinski, 2010). Nonetheless, Davis’ article is centered primarily on the distribution of water in Arizona, and how energy and water are supplied and stocked up.

The article by Zielinski is a depiction of the whole of the South West area, concentrating on how shift in climate affected the region, and globally. Both Zielinski and Davis agree with the notion of taking sweeping measures to combat the problem. The article by Davis is founded on the research performed by students and the way Arizona is managing with the water deficit it is experiencing (Davis, 2015). Conversely, the article by Zielinski is softer. Highlighting the images of the rivers and the areas affected by the flow of the river, bestowing anguish on the audience, though devoid scientific backing (Zielinski, 2010). In the article by Zielinski, she goes ahead to discuss the State of Nevada has handled water shortage despite being allocated the smallest share of water (Zielinski, 2010). Moreover, to the residential landscaping that has helped in the conservation of water.

Major Stakeholders in the Conflicting Demands

The water distribution of River Colorado has numerous stakeholders. To the West, farmers represent the most significant stakeholders accounting for 80%; agriculture consumes the largest proportion of water from the River Colorado. The other stakeholders in the region include Central Arizona project, Arizona Power Authority, Arizona Department of Water resources, U.S National Park Service, Western Area Power Administration, Arizona Municipal Users Association (Davis, 2015).

In the article, Mr. Davies does not tackle all the groups of interest that have an entitlement or claim to have entitlement to the water flowing in the Colorado River. Mr. Davies achieves great success in being neutral and fair when talking about each stakeholder. However, the industrial uses of water are not mentioned in the research and ought to be included (Davis, 2015). The use of water in industrial processes plays a significant impact on water use by locals. The environmentalist does not exhaustively discuss the use of industrial water. Besides, the environmentalist is often biased when expressing their opinions on the subject of industrial usage of water obtained from River Colorado.

Possible Solutions to the Problem

Some of the solutions presented help farmers by equipping them with current technology, only that it is accompanied by a rise in the cost of operation. Contemporary techniques used in farming such as the use of drip irrigation method could reduce the amount of water used back then. Most farmers agree that the drip method is far more efficient in terms of water usage. The farmers argue that the new swimming pools and beautiful green lawns are not essentials; nonetheless, the food they cultivate is a necessity for feeding humans and animals. An alternative option is for the farmers to revert to underwater wells (Davis, 2015). However, an underwater well is another expensive technique that the agricultural industry would have to handle.

The National Park service used thirty-six million dollars to broaden launch ramps, to expand utility lines, establish new areas of parking, transfer docks and relocate navigational support to ensure operations are maintained despite the dwindling lake level (Davis, 2015). Alternative solutions that can be practiced by the Nevada residents include adopting a policy where residents cannot sprinkle their yards or even wash their vehicles anytime they want. Instead, the residents have to stick to a tight watering schedule. Homeowners are paid by the water authority to swap water-gulping lawns for drought-resistant plants and stones. Hence, most of the wastewater is either salvaged or reverted to River Colorado (Zielinski, 2010).

The Colorado River is essential for life for the people living in the South West region of the U.S and those living in northern Mexico. Residents rely on the River Colorado for energy, water, recreation and even to the wildlife. However, the river is under threat due to drought as a result of climate change. In spite of everything, the conservation of Colorado River is a collective mandate for people depending on the river and must be willing to take a proactive approach in conserving it.

Reference

Davis, T., (2015). Study: Colorado River shortage could hit Arizona hard. Arizona Daily Star. Retrieved June 05, 2019 from: http://tucson.com/news/science/environment/study-colorado-river shortagecould-hit-arizona-hard/article_18e2c791-99fd-576f-b4cc-708b6e60bc68.html  

Zielinski, S. (2010). The Colorado River Runs Dry: Dams, irrigation and now climate change have drastically reduced the once-mighty river. Is it a sign of things to come? Smithsonian Magazine. (Nov 2010) Retrieved June 05, 2019 from: https://www.smithsonianmag.com/science-nature/the-colorado-river-runs-dry-61427169/?no-ist  

Smithsonian. Climate Change and the Colorado River. Retrieved June 05, 2019, from https://www.smithsonianmag.com/videos/category/science/climate-change-and-the-colorado-river/