Virtual Field Trip: The Colorado River, its Usage & Crisis in Arizona
Summary
The Colorado River is over-allocated and the SW U.S. is experiencing the worst drought in 800 years. The 40 million people who depend on the Colorado River for electricity and water should be aware of the basic physical issues as well as a bit of the history, politics and mitigation measures. These videos give a brief overview.
Context
Audience
This is undergraduate level for non-majors but it can be used for geoscience or agricultural of political science majors as it is relevant to all.
Skills and concepts that students must have mastered
An understanding of discharge would be beneficial, but most of the concepts are explained in the video.
Goals
Content/concepts goals for this activity
Public awareness of the Colorado River crisis, for The 40 million people who depend on the Colorado River for electricity and water. This issue is in flux politically as it is worsening.
Higher order thinking skills goals for this activity
Synthesis of ideas, fuel for critical evaluation of the water situation as it is portrayed in the news, by politicians and by developers, who have different stakes in the matter and so tend to have definite biases in the information they pass along.
Description and Teaching Materials
I have received reprinting permission from Paul Lutus, who has lake Mead and Lake Powell graphs that appear in one of the "hotspots".
Hydrology Part 1, Student Worksheet (Microsoft Word 2007 (.docx) 22kB Oct2 25)
INSTRUCTOR Key to Student Wksht Hydrology Part 1 -- educator-only file
HideTeaching Notes and Tips
This is a virtual field trip, very self-explanatory. I have encountered no student difficulties with it.
Assessment
Whether their answers match the Key.