The Colo rado Rive r Bas in : Agenda f o r Use , Res to ra t i on , and Sus ta inab i l i t y f o r th e Next Genera t i on

The 2012

State of the Rockies Report CardC o l o r a d o C o l l e g e

An Outreach Initiative of Colorado College

Cheyenne

Colorado College’s Rocky Mountain Study Region

Montana

Cover Photo by:Stephen G. Weaver

Wyoming

Colorado

New Mexico

Arizona

Idaho

Utah

Nevada

Helena

Salt Lake CityDenver

Santa Fe

Phoenix

Carson City

Boise

The Colorado College State of the Rockies Project is designed to provide a thoughtful, objective voice on regional issues by offering credible research on problems faced by the Rocky Mountain West, and by convening citizens and experts to discuss the future of our region. Each year, the State of the Rockies provides: - Opportunities for collaborative student-faculty research partnerships; - An annual State of the Rockies Report Card; - A companion State of the Rockies Speaker Series and Conference. Taken together, these arms of the State of the Rockies Project offer the tools, forum, and accessibility needed for Colorado College to foster a strong sense of citizenship for both our graduates and the broader regional community.

The Colorado College State of the Rockies Project

An Outreach Initiative ofColorado College

The 2012 State of the Rockies Report Card Basin Overview 2

The Colo rado Rive r Bas in : Agenda f o r Use , Res to ra t i on , and Sus ta inab i l i t y f o r th e Next Genera t i on

State of the Rockies Report CardC o l o r a d o C o l l e g e

Edited By:

Walter E. Hecox, Ph.D.Rockies Project Director

Brendan P. BoeppleRockies Project Program Coordinator

Matthew C. GottfriedGIS Technical Director

A publication of:The Colorado College State of the Rockies Project

14 E. Cache La Poudre St.Colorado Springs, CO 80903

www.coloradocollege.edu/stateoftherockies

© April 2012 by the Colorado College State of the Rockies Project. All rights reserved.Contents may not be reproduced in any manner without prior permission of Colorado College.

ISBN: 978-0-935052-52-7

The 2012

2011-2012 State of the Rockies Project AcknowledgementsThe Colorado College State of the Rockies Project would like to thank the following individuals and groups for their generous contributions to help support summer research, publication of Report Cards, monthly speakers, and conference activities.

-Colorado College-Michael B. Slade, Colorado College Class of 1979 and Trustee and Megan G. Slade-John B. Troubh, Colorado College Class of 1979 and Louisa Troubh -The Trinchera & Tercio Foundation-The William and Flora Hewlett Foundation-Western Conservation Foundation-The David and Lucile Packard Foundation-Charles H. “Chip” Collins, Colorado College Class of 1977 and Anne C. Childs, Colorado College Class of 1978-Stephen B. Perry -Jane E.S. Sokolow, Colorado College Class of 1972-Walter E. and Ann E. Hecox, Colorado College Class of 1964-James Collis, Parent Colorado College Class of 2013-Anonymous (3)

General Support

Summer Research Support-The Loewy Family Fund of the Denver Foundation-The Grant Lyddon Foundation of the Silicon Valley Community Foundation

The 2012 Colorado College STaTe of The roCkieS reporT Card- Acknowledgements

Monica Mueller

The 2012 Colorado College STaTe of The roCkieS reporT Card- Table of Contents

Table of ContentsAn Introduction from the President – The Colorado College State of the Rockies Project: Research, Report, Engage!Jill Tiefenthaler, President, Colorado College..............................................................................................................................................

Colorado College, The Rocky Mountain West, and The State of the Rockies ProjectWalter E. Hecox, Project Director, State of the Rockies Project......................................................................................................................

Editors’ PrefaceWalter E. Hecox, Project Director, State of the Rockies ProjectBrendan P. Boepple, Program Coordinator, State of the Rockies ProjectMatthew C. Gottfried, Technical Liaison, State of the Rockies Project..................................................................................................................

The Colorado River Basin: Agenda for Use, Restoration, and Sustainability for the Next Generation

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Kayaking from Source to Sea on the Colorado River:The Basin Up-Close and PersonalZak Podmore, with Will Stauffer-Norris contributing...................................................................................................................................

The Colorado River Basin: An OverviewThe 2011-12 State of the Rockies Project Research Team.............................................................................................................................

Demographics, Economy, and Agriculture Depend on Water Storage and Diversion:Is it a Zero Sum Game? Case Study: The Flaming Gorge Pipeline Case Study: The Wellton Mohawk Irrigation District and the Cienega de Santa Clara Sally Hardin, Student Researcher, State of the Rockies Project............................................................................................................................

Laws of the Colorado River Basin: Obsolete or Flexible for a Sustainable Future?Warren King, Student Researcher, State of the Rockies Project....................................................................................................................

Recreation in the Colorado River Basin: Is America’s Playground Under Threat?Benjamen Taber, Student Researcher, State of the Rockies Project.............................................................................................................

Environment and Ecology of the Colorado River Basin Case Study: The Tamarisk Case Study: Zebra and Quagga MusselsNatalie Triedman, Student Researcher, State of the Rockies Project............................................................................................................

The Colorado River Basin and Climate: Perfect Storm for the Twenty-First Century? Case Study: Dust on Snow Case Study: DesalinationCarson McMurray, Student Researcher, State of the Rockies Project............................................................................................................

Managing the Colorado River Basin: An Agenda for Use, Restoration, and SustainabilityAn Open LetterState of the Rockies Project Student Researchers............................................................................................................................................

Additional Acknowledgements and Contributors...........................................................................................................................

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