Colorado and the West is running out of water . . . (Denver: leasing, to buy)

[R_Cowgirl]

Originally Posted by Josseppie

zeroscape is ugly and I would never get rid of my lawn for that, but then again I live in Pueblo and we have enough water so I do not have to worry about it.

Xeriscape is NOT ugly if you do it right. I live in Phoenix and have been very conscious of this situation since I got here. I can't believe my water bill is so cheap. I have a tiny lawn - 14' x 14' - because I have two little chihuahuas and that gives them a little bit of grass in the hot summer. But in the winter, I turn off the water and let it go brown. I use a soaker to keep it green enough in the summer, but don't over do it. I have a couple of fruit trees that were on the property and they are well established enough to have their own access to the groundwater. So they get very little water.

My front yard is all pink rock with some plants that were there when I moved in. I have NEVER watered these plants- some cactus, an Agave, a Mexican Bird of Paradise, and some sage lookiing thing with purple flowers.

Here's my front -xeriscaped - yard:

[Josseppie]

Originally Posted by zenkonami

Let's just not forget that New York and Chicago have sprawl of epic proportions. They and the two other cities you mention have large waterways and water access that Colorado cities simply don't have due to the state's geographic and topographic location. As a general rule, rivers don't run into Colorado but out of the state, which will always limit the amount of water the state will have. I don't know the history for certain, but I presume that's part of why Colorado has some of the draconian water rights laws that it does...limited supply, and increasing demand.

I hope Pueblo manages it's growth and becomes a wonderful city full of culture and innovation, but at some point all Colorado cities have to find ways to manage their growth, else they become responsible for a proper decline and collapse of Colorado's economy and prospects for sustainability. After all, what if all the state could viably support was the population of western Kansas? There goes the neighborhood.

You make some good points but even the most optamistic forecast has pueblo at only 550,000 or so this century. pueblo has more then enough water for a city of 500,000 plus more with the latest purchase. so pueblo will not be a la or chicago or nyc anytime soon.

as far as 0 scape tomorrow when i am home i will add a picture of my yard.

[Josseppie]

This is part of my yard. Granted its a winter pic but this summer I will take a pic when the grass is green. Personally I like grass and the look of a nice manicured lawn. I have areas where I have flowers and plants and rocks but I just don't like how a yard looks with out a lawn, personal preference. And living in Pueblo given the fact we have so much water that is not something I have to worry about.

[McGowdog]

Do you live with your mom and dad? Not that there's anything wrong with that.

I really really thing you ought to give props to R_Cowgirl's pic. If you won't, then I will. I already repped her, but most people in the Colorado forum have no clue what that means nor do they care.

[Josseppie]

You are right its a beautiful picture, and I want to apologize for not saying so.

I want to add that I think a great yard needs to have colorful flowers and plants like what she has that just a yard with lawn is not great either. I just happen to like both.

And I live with my grandma as she is 90 and I help take care of her.

[Westernwayfarer]

http://www.linktv.org/


Afternoon all,

I am familar with the issues that have been raised when others here have spoken about what water means to the southwest. I viewed this story on "Link TV" and it discusses the water crisis that exists in the southwest. The is episode: Earth Focus, episode #10. Hope you all find it interesting..

I hope this isn't a re-post. If not, I'd be interested in you thoughts!

Click on Episode #11 and it will direct you to Episode #10

[CometVoyager]

It really does not surprise me on how some who post on this board just pull numbers or facts out of the thick or thin air, depending on what altitude level the stuff they are smoking places them!

Let's get some facts straight. First and foremost, Colorado and the rest of the SW USA has truly abundant sources of water! The State of Colorado alone has enough water to supply every state west of the Mississippi! Now some may say, "no way, how can the Colorado River supply the needs of so many states!" Well the fact is, it is not just the Colorado River. Colorado has probably one of the best Zones of Saturation of any state in our country! More so, if you compare the Capillary Fringe east of the Rocky Mountains and the zones of saturation, any hydrologist will tell you that Colorado's sealed impervious ground water is incredibly vast to the point of an unlimited supply!

Lastly, there is so much sealed ground water and under ground fresh water tables, below sealed zones of saturation in New Mexico, Nevada, Utah and most of Arizona that you would not even need any water from the Colorado River!

The only reason you hear about all this hype about the Colorado River is because of water district politics! They want to frighten you just like AL Gore does with his Global Warming Scam! These 503Bs and other non profit water districts and regional water stations truly are nothing but a "Cash Cow" for sleazy and corrupt politicians and bureaucrats! The more they frighten you into saying that you are a conservationist or an environmentalist the more money they make!!!! Don't buy it, because it is all a total scam!

[jazzlover]

Originally Posted by CometVoyager

It really does not surprise me on how some who post on this board just pull numbers or facts out of the thick or thin air, depending on what altitude level the stuff they are smoking places them!

Let's get some facts straight. First and foremost, Colorado and the rest of the SW USA has truly abundant sources of water! The State of Colorado alone has enough water to supply every state west of the Mississippi! Now some may say, "no way, how can the Colorado River supply the needs of so many states!" Well the fact is, it is not just the Colorado River. Colorado has probably one of the best Zones of Saturation of any state in our country! More so, if you compare the Capillary Fringe east of the Rocky Mountains and the zones of saturation, any hydrologist will tell you that Colorado's sealed impervious ground water is incredibly vast to the point of an unlimited supply!

Lastly, there is so much sealed ground water and under ground fresh water tables, below sealed zones of saturation in New Mexico, Nevada, Utah and most of Arizona that you would not even need any water from the Colorado River!

The only reason you hear about all this hype about the Colorado River is because of water district politics! They want to frighten you just like AL Gore does with his Global Warming Scam! These 503Bs and other non profit water districts and regional water stations truly are nothing but a "Cash Cow" for sleazy and corrupt politicians and bureaucrats! The more they frighten you into saying that you are a conservationist or an environmentalist the more money they make!!!! Don't buy it, because it is all a total scam!

This post is pure nonsense. Are there some sizable underground water resources in some places in Colorado? Yes, there are. What is unstated about them is the quality--most of the larger underground basin sources are highly mineralized with salts--brackish to the point that they are useless. Not surprising, since most of those closed basins contain ancestral seawater or are encapsulated by former sea-bed geological strata--also rife with salt deposits. Large "deposits" of fresh water are fairly rare--and the best known of them (Ogallala Acquifer, Denver Basin, the San Luis Valley aquifers, for example) already are facing varying degrees of depletion--some serious.

Major Sources of Ground Water in Colorado

While I have had disagreements with the policies of some water conservation districts, they know far better than just about anyone EXACTLY what water resources are out there, as well as the quality and reliability of those resources.

The other statement that Colorado is so "saturated" with water is pure crap, too. A cursory study of Colorado climate shows that the precipitation that falls in even the wettest parts of the state barely comes up to what is typical in the midwestern and Eastern United States--around 35 inches annually at the very maximum. Those areas of "high" precipitation are typical of only a very small portion of the land area of Colorado. Outside of the highest mountains, average annual precipitation in most of the land area of Colorado is less than 15 inches per year--often less than 10 inches. That falls short, by several inches, the typical evapotransporation that takes place every year. In other words, most of Colorado's land area gets less precipitation than what evaporates every year. Anyone making even a cursory study of Colorado (and Western) climate would know this, too.

See here: http://www.nationalatlas.gov/printab...precip_co3.pdf

Also not in any dispute is the fact that Colorado River Basin is overappropriated, and that serious potential conflicts lie on the horizon over water demands versus available supplies.

I have been dealing with Colorado water rights and water issues for over 30 years now and have dealt with water issues all the way from the headgate to to the Water Court. And I guarantee you that I haven't been "smoking something," so leave the personal insults out. I see from the profile that this individual states that he/she is a hydrologist. I would like to see the citations of any published work that would substantiate the claims that he/she made here. No hyrdologist that I know in this region has made such statements that I am aware of.

[Josseppie]

I am not sure about Colorado but I do know that Pueblo has more then enough water for our expected growth this century. I know its selfish but thats all I care about.....

[CometVoyager]

Originally Posted by Josseppie

I am not sure about Colorado but I do know that Pueblo has more then enough water for our expected growth this century. I know its selfish but thats all I care about.....

Good point Josseppie! Actually Pueblo and vicinity are truly blessed , as is most of the state with very considerable fresh water resources. The Arkansas water division alone has enough natural fresh water resources to feed the entire state, as well as Arizona and Las Vegas!

There are many who always cry that the sky is falling and will try to scare everyone into paying for higher water and hydro rates, making unnecessary assesments on new construction and making new well permits more expensive but the truth is the only thing falling from our sky, with regards to our water supplies is snow, rain, sleet and hail! For instance, almost 10 years ago it was predicted that the Arapahoe Aquifer did not have sufficient recharge capacity to meet population needs, however, now it has been revealed this information was purely political and today has absolutely no factual basis or credibility.