This site is made up of pages that describe water development, extraction, and diversion in the Colorado Plateau physiographic province. Topics covered in these pages include an introduction, pre-settlement water use continued: ancient irrigation and other water uses, Mormon settlement and the dawn of large-scale irrigation on the Colorado Plateau, the thirst of the growing west, the bureau of reclamation transforms the west, and the tide turns. Also included in this site are a list of references, a search box, and links that allow other subject matter of the Colorado Plateau to be accessed.