Experimental Water Pulse Revives Colorado River Delta
After water flowed for eight weeks through the Colorado River Delta, vegetation returned, as did many animals, reversing 13 years of decline.
For millions of years the Colorado River flowed from high in the Rocky Mountains, carving out the Grand Canyon on its way to the upper Gulf of California, also known as the Sea of Cortez. Then in the 1920’s dams and diversions began channeling the water along its course mostly for agricultural needs and population growth.
The once lush Colorado River Delta went dry 16 years ago when the water last reached the Gulf.
In an attempt to change this, an experimental pulse of 105,000 acre-feet of water was released in March of 2014 under a historic agreement called Minute 319. The water came from Lake Mead at Hoover Dam, and over the course of eight weeks made its way to Morelos Dam located at the United States-Mexico border, and onwards to the sea.
During that time, scientists report a combined 66 percent increase in vegetation amongst the river's borders and wetted zones was observed.
Animals such as migratory birds, rattlesnakes and coyotes also began returning to the area.
Conservationists in Mexico say it will also help replenish the groundwater aquifer, which provides water to house wells in the area.
Years of negotiations led to the 2012 agreement known as Minute 319 that will allow provide a one-time allotment of water to Mexico and allow the country to store water in Lake Mead. This pulse is the outcome of it.
Any additional allotments depend on future negotiations between the U.S. and Mexico. Researchers are hoping that more water pulses like this can occur in the future.
For millions of years the Colorado River flowed from high in the Rocky Mountains, carving out the Grand Canyon on its way to the upper Gulf of California, also known as the Sea of Cortez. Then in the 1920’s dams and diversions began channeling the water along its course mostly for agricultural needs and population growth.
The once lush Colorado River Delta went dry 16 years ago when the water last reached the Gulf.
In an attempt to change this, an experimental pulse of 105,000 acre-feet of water was released in March of 2014 under a historic agreement called Minute 319. The water came from Lake Mead at Hoover Dam, and over the course of eight weeks made its way to Morelos Dam located at the United States-Mexico border, and onwards to the sea.
During that time, scientists report a combined 66 percent increase in vegetation amongst the river's borders and wetted zones was observed.
Animals such as migratory birds, rattlesnakes and coyotes also began returning to the area.
Conservationists in Mexico say it will also help replenish the groundwater aquifer, which provides water to house wells in the area.
Years of negotiations led to the 2012 agreement known as Minute 319 that will allow provide a one-time allotment of water to Mexico and allow the country to store water in Lake Mead. This pulse is the outcome of it.
Any additional allotments depend on future negotiations between the U.S. and Mexico. Researchers are hoping that more water pulses like this can occur in the future.
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