Fact sheet california state water resources control board. The mighty flow of the colorado river carved out this huge canyon millions of years ago. It is the most visited national forest in the united states, primarily from users of the twelve ski areas within its boundaries. Spanish is the secondmostspoken language in colorado, after english. The colorado program is referred to as the colorado. Rio colorado is one of the principal rivers along with the rio grande in the southwestern united states and northern mexico. The colorado river basin water supply and demand study study, conducted over the threeyear period from january 2010 through december 2012, was an unprecedented joint effort by reclamation and the basin states and is the most. The colorado river is a critical resource in the west, because seven basin states arizona, california, colorado, nevada, new. The colorado river basin is ruled by a compilation of decrees, rights, court decisions, and laws that together are. The river, draining 58,100 sq mi 150,500 sq km, flows 630 mi 1,015 km west and southwest over desert land to the colorado river at yuma, ariz. Environment and ecology of the colorado river basin. They will depend on a healthy and secure water supply from colorado river. Many of those references are connected with miracles and healing.
Saving water in nevada the states 2010 population of 2. Pdf water management in the colorado river basin dealing. Many of these interesting facts were borrowed from the brita water filter site. People recognize it because of the whitewater rapids and amazing canyons. Colorado river basin fact sheet bureau of reclamation. Water from the colorado river basin meets at least some of the residential. A concrete marker in downtown austin shows where the colorado river crested at 51 feet. List of dams in the colorado river system wikipedia. This building took six years to complete, from 1894 to 1900. River dams grand canyon the grand canyon is 1,800m 6,000ft deep in places. There is one native coloradan language still spoken in colorado, colorado river numic ute. The heavy use of the river as an irrigation source for the imperial valley has desiccated the lower course of. In this report, we analyze one river from each basin and assign it a letter grade based.
Big game hunters may have occupied area later known as colorado. Colorado has the highest mean altitude of all the states. Pikes peak, the most famous of these mountains, was discovered by u. Collectively, dams in the colorado river basin can hold four to five times the river s annual flow, generating hydroelectricity and supplying irrigation and municipal water for over 35 million. Colorado river the colorado river is the most regulated river in the world. The narrow sections of the colorado create great whitewater rafting and kayaking in areas such as gore canyon. Rocky ford has been dubbed the melon capital of the world.
The northern colorado covenant of the river is a place where all with an open heart and mind are welcome. The colorado capitol building is located in denver. Graph showing total population for the upper, lower, and entire colorado river. In fact, the period of 2000 through 2004 saw the lowest 5year cumulative inflow in the observed record. The colorado river flows from colorado southwest through the rocky mountains and into mexico. Pdf interstate water disputes in the colorado basin in western. The ancestral colorado river began its course when the rocky mountains to the east of the grand canyon were formed, approximately 6070 million years ago.
By the time the drought was apparent, demands in arizona and nevada had increased to the point that those states were using their full entitlements of colorado river water. There it drains into the gulf of california, an arm of the pacific ocean. At the walton family foundation, we are working to find creative solutionsthat benefit the environment and the economyto ensure the colorado river basin has the water supply it needs to sustain the wests growing population. By 2060, as a result of increased population and potential drought conditions, the colorado river basins water demand could exceed supply by an estimated 3. Colorado river is very famous not only in america, but also in the world. The added sediment chokes the river channel and covers the areas where fish spawn and plants grow. Colorado river drought contingency plan arizona implementation fact sheet the risks of lake mead falling below critically low reservoir elevations has tripled in the past decade, increasing the risks of largescale reductions to arizonas colorado river supply and threatening the health of the river.
Agenda for use, restoration, and sustainability for the next generation. A rich history that includes famous people, such as buffalo bill, national landmarks. Kids learn facts and geography about the state of colorado including symbols, flag, capital, bodies of water, industry, borders, population, fun facts, gdp, famous people, and major cities. Colorado also has some large africanamerican communities located in denver, in the neighborhoods of montbello, five points, whittier, and many other east denver areas. Some facts you might not know about the jordan river and. Around 30 million people in the cities along the colorado river s path depend on it as a water source. A list of the gaging stations maintained by the geological survey near the mouths of the large rivers of the united states is given in table is the list includes the. Lcra opened a record 22 floodgates at the newly completed buchanan dam to pass the 1938 flood.
Northern colorado covenant of the river fort collins, co. Colorado river facts grand canyon for kids dk find out. Colorado river basin regional water quality control board state water resources control board regional water quality control boards fact sheet find out more about california water. Colorado river water is used primarily for agricultural irrigation. Rio colorado is one of the principal rivers in the southwestern. Population densities are also high along the lower colorado river below. It is the 8th most populous and 22nd largest state. Estimates of water use and trends in the colorado river basin. White river national forest is a national forest in northwest colorado. Colorado river, major river of north america, rising in the rocky mountains of colorado, u. Colorful colorado, so named because of its brightly colored red rocks, is located in the rocky mountain region of the united states.
The colorado river is 1,450 miles in length, which is about the length of four football fields. Colorado river basin water supply and demand study. Republican river basin study reclamation partnered with the states of colorado, nebraska, and kansas to fund the study. The length of the colorado river is approximately 2,330 kilometers 1,450 miles. The centennial state colorado became a state in the year 1876, 100 years.
Colorado river water is magnified by the multiple federally owned and operated water storage and conveyance facilities in the basin, which provide lowcost water and hydropower supplies to water users. It drains a part of the dry regions on the western slope of the rocky mountains the natural course of the river flows into the gulf of california. Population within the study area is projected to increase from about 40 million in 2015 to between. The river s most famous landmark is the grand canyon in arizona. Taylor saw the fact that the colorado river started outside the border of his state as an abomination. The name was given first to the colorado river, which flows through canyons of red stone. The colorado river flows through seven states, five u. Lavender comes in a variety of colors including white, pink, blue, violet and all. The colorado river is a river in the southwestern united states and northwestern mexico. Lower reaches of the gunnison, uncompahgre and colorado rivers delta, montrose, grand junction 43. The river drains in two mexican states and seven states in united states.
Colorado river is very important for the life of the people who settle in. Colorado, which joined the union as the 38th state in 1876, is americas eighth largest state in terms of land mass. The 1,450milelong 2,330 km river drains an expansive, arid watershed that encompasses parts of seven u. Learn more about the colorado river in this article. Some facts you might not know about the jordan river and its waters.
It is named after the white river that passes through its northern section. From fly fishing to stand up paddle boarding, the portion of the colorado river actually located in colorado is a great place for the possible activities the colorado boasts. After raucous crowds for ray charles 1962 and peter, paul and mary 1964, the city banned alcohol, cans. The colorado river is a 1,450foot long river that begins in colorado and flows through utah, arizona, nevada, california and mexico on its way to the sea. Native and nonnative fish populations of the colorado river are. American academy of pediatrics bright futures periodicity schedule.
The 2012 colorado college state of the rockies report card. Interesting facts about the colorado river just fun facts. Predictions show colorados population will nearly double. The inside is decorated with colorado rose onyx, otherwise known as beulah red marble. Click to see the fact file or download the worksheet collection. Hoover dam, built on the colorado river at the arizonanevada border between 1931 and 1936, is an outstanding example of a curved gravity dam built in a narrow gorge across a major river and employing advanced design principles. Colorado facts for kids complete colorado information for kids.
Colorado river impact on texas history starting its path in lubbock, texas and winding its way through the texas hill country, the colorado river is a gently flowing river that has played a. Due to the surrounding desert landscape, artificial dams have been built to reduce the flow of water in some areas while increasing it in others. Our activities and topics vary from week to week to support our diversity and also to celebrate the wheel of the year. Modified implan inputoutput models are used to estimate the colorado rivers economic importance to arizona, colorado, nevada, new mexico, utah and wyoming at a state level and also. This study examines the economic importance of the colorado river for the upper and lower basin regions for one calendar year 2012.
The keystone of these commandments is the 1922 colorado river compact, an interstate agreement created by the seven basin states with. Gila river, river rising in southwestern new mexico, u. The american nile the mighty colorado, the life and soul of the west, is one of the most tapped rivers in the world. Stochastic streamflow simulation at interdecadal time scales and implications to water resources management in the colorado river basin pdf. The land along the colorado river is home to a variety of wildlife species including elk, bobcat, deer, mountain lions and sheep, coyote, and also a large variety of birds the name colorado originates from the spanish word for red color. Next page colorado coloring page denvers civic center and state. Colorado river basin water supply and demand study bureau of. These sources include the upper rio grande, reclamations san juan chama project, and local groundwater supplies. Advent of great prehistoric cliff dwelling civilization in the mesa verde region. The centennial state colorado became a state in the year 1876, 100 years after the signing of our nations declaration of independence. Lavender grows best in full sun and slightly alkaline soils, whichmakesitaperfectplant for colorado. As of april 1, most of dnrs employees will work from home and its main office buildings will be closed to the public.
Articles on the states past and present, diverse people, places, environments, land and water use, urbanization, conservation, economic development. The colorado river is easily the major river of the southwestern united states, draining some 242,000 square miles of land. Classifying rivers the three stages of river development. Spatial and behavioral scales of habitat selection and activity by river otters at latrine sites. The rivers most famous landmark is the grand canyon in arizona. Features, history, geography geographers can tell you that the one thing that most rivers and their adjacent flood plains in the world have in common is that they have rich histories associated with human settlement and development. The jordan river is mentioned about two hundred times, both in the old testament and in the new testament. Plugged by no fewer than twentyfive dams, the colorado is the worlds most regulated river drainage.
Colorado makes the final determination of medical necessity. This is because of the red sandstone silt that would cover the river basin, making it look red. Come out and meet local pagans, asatru, buddhists, druids, wiccans, witches and other practitioners on a pagan path. Nil sine numine nothing without providence nickname. Since we havent always kept track of the source, be sure to cross check the fact if you use it. The yampa river below the northwest town of craig holds northern pike in the 20pound range, while the roaring fork and frying pan rivers are prime spots for trout fishing. In this fact sheet, the word lavender will refer quick facts hardy lavender varieties thrive in colorado s usda hardiness zones 5 through 7. Missouri river basin fact sheet bureau of reclamation. Water management in the colorado river basin dealing with scarcity and uncertainty in the face of population growth and climate change. Evidence shows that they were here by at least 9200 b. Print the colorado word search and find the colorado related words. In pdf format most of the images in this web paper. A natural and human history of the colorado wade davis on.
The 1,450milelong 2,330 km colorado river drains an expansive, arid watershed that encompasses parts of seven u. Nov 01, 20 colorados plateaus canyon lands most dramatic are along the colorado river glenwood canyon colorado national monument 42. Prior to being named the colorado river, this river was known by several different names including xakxwet, aha kwahwat, ha tay gam sil gsvgov, hakhwata, rio del tizon and rio colorado. Over time, weve collected numerous facts on rivers, which were willing to share. The colorado river is one of the principal rivers of the southwestern united states and northern mexico. Seen from this perspective, the colorado river is a microcosm of the. Such an assertion cannot be made about the worlds population or about mankinds capacity. The republican river basin study area covers the entire republican river basin in eastern colora do, southern nebraska, and northern kansas down to the clay center gauging station in kansas. Taylor of colorado petitioned the congressional committee on interstate and foreign commerce to rename the grand river as the colorado river. Colorado has the highest mean elevation of any state, with more than 1,000 rocky mountain peaks over 10,000 ft high and 54 towering above 14,000 ft. A photograph of the measuring cableway on the columbia river near the dalles, oreg. The length of the river is 2,330 kilometer or 1,450 miles. Facts about colorado river present the information about one of the primary rivers in northern mexico and southwestern united states.
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