a wild idea for more water to the arid west (how much, to move)

[DougStark]

Like most other people, I've watched TV coverage re: the Houston flood. I feel terrible for those people affected. But the coverage made me think: what can (govt.) do in the future to reduce stormwater damage and at the same time make use of this fresh water?

Would it EVER be possible (technically) or feasible (cost/benefit ratio) to construct a massive water canal stretching all the way from the Mississippi River and west to the arid west?(termination point unknown) I figure the the largest obstacles to a project like this would likely be engineering restrictions. As you all know, going from Mississippi River elevation to anywhere in the arid west means you'd have to pump all of the water UPHILL!!! The water quality would most certainly be very good since it would have very few salts in it.

Comments welcome, especially those from engineer types.



























































with pumps or lift stations, both of which take massive amounts of electricity.

[Bird Street]

Maybe a canal could be dug along the border rather than a beauty-full wall. We could supply any electricity needed to move the water with beauty-full clean coal. Texas is taking a serious beating. This is all Obama and crooked Hillery's fault. My two cars are full of gas and I will drive the hybrid one for awhile. Watch for big lines at the Costco gas stations.

[JGMotorsport64]

I think we have a better shot desalinating brackish Groundwater (which we have a lot of) first

[wit-nit]

Originally Posted by DougStark

with pumps or lift stations, both of which take massive amounts of electricity.

Plus massive amount of money.
The powers to be talked many years ago about piping water from the Pacific Ocean into AZ to a desalination plant, but that went by waywinds as being way too expensive.

[Burning Madolf]

Nice idea. But the US doesn't do big anymore. Plus not enough political clout out here to get a big project funded.

[PhureeKeeper]

We've got the CAP here. It can be done.
Just depends on how much money and time you want to throw at it.

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Central_Arizona_Project

[gemstone1]

"This is all Obama and crooked Hillery's fault". ....Have another glass of that Faux news kool-aid.

[AZJoeD]

Originally Posted by Bird Street

Maybe a canal could be dug along the border rather than a beauty-full wall. .

We could get the alligators from the swamp and put them in the canal. It will be very, very, great. Believe me.

[Potential_Landlord]

It can be done, but is completely un-economical. If we were in a life and death situation, sure. But our water situation is way better than the sensationalized news stories make it look. = No real need.

[phx1205]

I saw one of the TV weather guys in Houston was estimating that over 1 Trillion gallons of water had already fallen thanks to Hurricane Harvey. Imagine the possibilities. If there was a pipeline Lake Mead would be full!