Glen Canyon Dam and Lake Powell, AZ. photo from US
Bureau of
Reclamation
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ENVS
5810: WESTERN WATER RESOURCES AND ENVIRONMENTAL SUSTAINABILITY
Instructors:
Douglas Kenney
douglas.kenney@colorado.edu
Natural Resources Law Center (Law)
Office: Fleming Law 165
(303) 492-1296
John Pitlick
pitlick@spot.colorado.edu
Department of Geography
Office: Guggenheim 315
(303) 492-5906
Meeting Times:
Tues. 3:30-6:20
PM
Location:
Guggenheim,
201E
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Purpose and Scope: Water resource experts in the
western states are finding it increasingly difficult to satisfy new and
competing demands for water, particularly in light of rapid population
growth, the increasing value placed on environmental protection, and
the potential impacts of climate change and variability. This
seminar will focus on the interaction of these and related concerns,
using the 7-state Colorado River Basin as a focal point.
Format and Course Structure: The seminar will meet
Tuesday, 3:30 to 6:20, in Guggenheim 201E. Most class periods
will entail group discussions of assigned readings. The
instructors will provide brief lectures when necessary to explain
complex material featured in the readings. It is anticipated that
two guest lecturers will also be featured. Two class periods at
the end of the semester will be reserved for student presentations of
term papers.
Readings: Given the diversity of readings utilized in
the class, there is no textbook. Assigned readings will normally
be provided in electronic form or placed on reserve in the
library. Discussion questions will be assigned at least a week in
advance of the readings in order to assist students in class
preparation. Students are expected to read the
assigned papers in detail, and provide thoughtful comments during
classroom
discussions. Class participation will account for 35% of
the
final grade; this component of the grade is based on the frequency and
quality of your participation in group discussions, the degree to which
you demonstrate that you’ve completed assigned readings, and attendance.
Tasks & Student
Responsibilities: Students will be expected to perform the
following tasks:
- Read all assigned readings prior to the class in which they will
be discussed;
- Actively participate in the discussion of the readings;
- Prepare a term paper;
- Orally present the findings of the term paper to the class (at
the end of the semester). (Additionally, students will be asked
to make a brief presentation to the class in mid-semester introducing
the term paper topic and asking for feedback and suggestions.)
- Prepare a written book report (or journal articles report).
Term Paper: The body
of the term paper should be between 9 to 12 single-spaced pages.
The exact structure of headings is left to the author’s discretion, but
at a minimum should include a title, your name, an introduction, a
discussion/review of relevant literature on the topic, analysis of the
information presented, a conclusions section, and a literature cited
(bibliography) section. The topic of the paper must relate to
this course, must represent your own work, and must be prepared
exclusively for this class. In grading papers, we are primarily
looking for papers that are well-researched (i.e., draw on the relevant
literature), well written (i.e., logically organized and without
grammatical mistakes), and that feature a large amount of independent
analysis and critical thought. Before starting the paper,
students should consult with the professors to ensure that the term
paper topic is acceptable.
Oral Presentations: In
the mid-term presentations (week 10, Oct. 26), each student will take
approximately 10-15 minutes to explain their topic and to lead a class
discussion soliciting suggestions and advice from the students and
instructors about issues and information sources to feature in the term
paper. At the end of the semester (Weeks 15 and 16), students
will take approximately 30 minute each to make a formal presentation
(likely using Powerpoint or similar visual aids) of their term paper
findings (lasting 15-20 minutes), and then lead a class discussion and
Q&A session about this material for the remainder of the 30-minute
slot. These time allocations may be adjusted based on the number
of students in the class. These presentations—particularly the
final presentations—should be performed in a professional manner (i.e.,
similar to what would be expected in a professional setting such as a
conference).
Book/Articles Review: The
book/journal articles report should be approximately 3-5 single spaced
pages, and should provide a summary and critical analysis of the
themes, arguments and ideas featured in the book/articles.
Students will be provided with a list of books or journal articles to
choose from. (Note: These are materials that are not
assigned as part of the weekly readings/discussions.) Given that
books are longer than journal articles, students will have the choice
of reviewing one book or one “grouping” of journal articles (usually
3-5 articles). A student wishing to review a book or a set of
journal articles not on the provided list can ask permission from the
instructors. The book/articles review is due in class in Week 8.
Grading: Grades will be
based on the following formula:
40% Term paper
20% Oral presentations of term paper (80% final
presentation; 20% mid-term presentation)
20% Book/Articles review
20% Participation
Class participation is a measure of the frequency and quality of your
input during class discussions. It is also a function of
attendance. Anyone missing more than one class period should
expect deductions unless a legitimate and compelling reason for the
absence is provided to the instructors. Excessive absences are a
grounds for course failure. In the event that a final grade is on
a borderline (e.g., between A and B, or B and C), then class
participation will be used if possible to determine which direction the
scales are tipped.
Schedule:
The schedule of lectures and readings is provided below. We may
adjust the reading list as we progress, in large part to reflect the
interests and backgrounds of the students.
Week
1: August 24
- Go over syllabus (class structure, grading, readings)
- Introductory lectures
- Introduction to week 2 readings and discussion questions
Section I: The Basics of Western
Water Resources (4 weeks)
Week
2: August 31
Discussion of Readings (human dimensions):
Kenney, D., 2004, Water allocation and
management in the western United States (in press). [
kenney_04.pdf]
Davis, Sandra K., 2001, The politics of water scarcity in
the western states, The Social Science Journal, 38, 527-542. [
davis_01.pdf]
Discussion of Readings (river science):
Lettenmaier, D.P., 2003, The role of
climate in water resources planning and management, in Water: Science,
Policy and Management, edited by R. Lawford, D. Fort, H. Hartmann, and
S. Eden, Water Resources Monograph 16, American Geophysical Union,
Washington, D.C.
Pitlick, J. and P.R. Wilcock, 2001, “Flow, sediment transport, and
aquatic habitat in large rivers,” in Geomorphic Processes and Riverine
Habitat, edited by J. Dorava, F. Fitzpatrick, D. Montgomery and B.
Palcsak, pp. 185-198, AGU, Washington, D.C. [
pitlick_01.pdf]
Week
3: September 7
Discussion of Readings (how climate affects water):
Woodhouse, C.A., 2003, A 431-Yr
Reconstruction of Western Colorado Snowpack from Tree Rings, Journal of
Climate, v. 16, p. 1551-1561. [
woodhouse_03.pdf]
Cayan, D.R., S.A. Kammerdiener, M.D. Dettinger, J.P. Caprio, and D.H.
Peterson, 2001: Changes in the onset of Spring in the western United
States. Bulletin of the American Meteorological Society, 82,
399-415. [
cayan_01.pdf]
Hobbs, Gregory. 2004. The Role of Climate in Shaping
Western Water Institutions, 7, Denver University Water Law Review
102. [
hobbs_04.pdf]
Week
4: September 14
Discussion of Readings (adapting to stress on water systems: different
perspectives):
Vannote, R.L., G.W. Minshall, K.W.
Cummins, J.R. Sedell, and C.E. Cushing, 1980, “The river continuum
concept,” Canandian Journal of Fisheries and Aquatic Sciences, 37,
130-137.
[
vannote_1980.pdf]
Richter, B.D. (and others), 1997, How
much water does a river need?, Freshwater Biology, 37, 231-249. [
richter_97.pdf]
Stakhiv, E., 2003, What can water managers do about climate variability
and change? in Water and Climate in the Western United States, edited
by W. Lewis, University Press of Colorado, Boulder. [
stakhiv_03.pdf]
Loomis, J., J. Koteen, and B. Hurd, 2003, Economic and institutional
strategies for adapting to water resource effects of climate change in
Water and Climate in the Western United States, edited by W. Lewis,
University Press of Colorado, Boulder. [
loomis_03.pdf]
Section II: Colorado River Basin
Week
5: September 21
Discussion of Readings (the Law of the River):
Lochhead, James S. 2001. An
Upper Basin Perspective on California’s Claims on Water from the
Colorado River, Part I: The Law of the River. 4 University of
Denver Law Review 290. Spring. [
lochhead_01.pdf]
Lochhead, James S. 2003. An Upper Basin Perspective on
California’s Claims on Water from the Colorado River, Part II:
The Development, Implementation and Collapse of California’s Plan to
Live within its Basic Apportionment. 6 University of Denver Water
Law Review 318. [
lochhead_03.pdf]
Optional Reading: Colorado River Compact, Colorado Revised Statutes
(C.R.S. 37-61-101). [
Colorado
Compacts.doc]
Week
6: September 28
Discussion of Readings (transbasin issues):
South Metro Water Supply Study:
Executive Summary, 2003, report prepared for the South Metro Water
Supply Study Board, 20 pp. [
South
Metro Exec Summary.pdf]
Nichols, P., M. Murphy and D. S. Kenney, 2001, Chapter 3,
Trans-Basin Diversions, in Water and Growth in Colorado. Natural
Resources Law Center, University of Colorado School of Law. [
Water_and_Growth.pdf]
Colorado River Return Reconnaissance Study Summary Report, 2003, report
prepared for the Colorado Water Conservation Board, 36 pp. [
CRRRS_SUMMARY_REPORT.pdf]
Week 7:
October 5
Guest Lecture: Bob Muth, Upper Colorado River Recovery Program
Director
Discussion of Readings (endangered species):
Pitlick, J. and M.M. Van Steeter, 1998,
Geomorphology and Endangered Fish Habitats of the Upper Colorado River
2: Linking Sediment Transport to Habitat Maintenance, Water Resources
Research, 34, 303-316. [
pitlick_98.pdf]
Osmundson, D.B., R.J. Ryel, V.L. Lamarra, and J. Pitlick, 2002,
Flow-sediment-biota relations: Implications for river regulation
effects on native fish abundance, Ecological Applications, 12,
1719–1739. [
osmundson_02.pdf]
Prior to this meeting, students should develop a working knowledge
of the Endangered Species Act (ESA). Visit http://www.redlodgeclearinghouse.org/legislation/esa.html,
which provides an introduction to the ESA and provides links to key
provisions and implementation rules regarding the act. In
addition to the Introduction, read Key Aspects and the four sections on
Implementation/Procedures.
Week
8: October 12
Guest Presentation: “Rafting the
Colorado” (Jeannie
Patton)
Discussion of Readings (dams):
Miller, Scott K. 2000. “Undamming Glen Canyon: Lunacy,
Rationality, or Prophecy?” Stanford Environmental Law
Journal. [
miller_00.pdf]
Schmidt, J.C., Webb, R.H., Valdez, R.A., Marzolf, G.A., and L.E.
Stevens, 1998, The roles of science and values in river restoration in
the Grand Canyon, BioScience, 48, 735-745. [
schmidt_98.pdf]
Optional Reading: Gregory, S., H. Li, and J. Li. 2002. “The
conceptual basis
for ecological responses to dam removal.” BioScience, v. 52, p.
713-723. [
gregory_02.pdf]
Week
9: October 19
Discussion of Readings (tribal issues):
Getches, David H., and Sarah B. Van de
Wetering. (in press). Protecting Indigenous Rights and
Interests in Water. [
getches_04.pdf]
Week
10: October 26
Mid-Term Presentations/Discussion of
Term Paper Topics
Abstract/Descriptive Paragraph Due
Week
11: November 2
Discussion of Readings (international issues):
Postel, Sandra, and Aaron Wolf.
2001. Dehydrating Conflict. Foreign Policy,
September/October, 60-67. [
Postel
and Wolf 2001.pdf]
Pitt, Jennifer, et al.
2000. Two Nations, One River: Managing Ecosystem Restoration in
the Colorado River Delta. 40 Natural Resources Journal
819. [
Pitt et al
2000.pdf]
Week
12: November 9
Discussion of Readings (climate and the Colorado River):
Rhodes, S.L., D. Ely, and J.A. Dracup,
1984, Climate and the Colorado River: The limits of management,
Bulletin of the American Meteorological Society, 65, 682-691. [
rhodes_84.pdf]
Pulwarty, R.S. and T.S. Mellis, 2001, Climate extremes and adaptive
management on the Colorado River: Lessons from the 1997-1998 ENSO
event, Journal of Environmental Management, 63, 307-324. [
pulwarty_01.pdf]
Week
13: November 16
Discussion of Readings (severe drought on the Colorado River):
Lord, W.B., J.F. Booker, D.M. Getches,
B.L. Harding, D.S. Kenney, and R.A. Young. 1996. “Managing
the Colorado River in a Severe Sustained Drought: An Evaluation of
Institutional Options.” Water Resources Bulletin, 31(5):939-944.
Piechota, T. (and others), 2004, The western U.S. drought: How bad is
it?, EOS Transactions of the American Geophysical Union , 85 (32):
301-304.
Week
14: November 23 NO CLASS
Week 15: November 30
Class Presentations
Week
16: December 7
Class Presentations
