Water Treaties & Framework
Geography: Edexcel A Level, topic 7.4.3
Colorado River Storage Project
Integrated river basin management focuses on the conservation and development of the river's basin to maximise socio-economic potential and preserve the ecosystem. Colorado developed the following plan with this in mind:
Background
- The Colorado River is 233 km long with 97% of it flowing through the USA and the rest through Mexico.
- Levels of precipitation vary across the Colorado River basin, which starts in the Rocky Mountains and flows through semi-arid areas to the Gulf of California in Mexico.
- The increase in population, urbanisation and agricultural demands put pressure on the river as a water source.
- Climate change has resulted in lower precipitation and areas of drought across the Colorado River basin, which adds further pressure.
Colorado River management
- In 1956, the Colorado River Storage Project was established to develop regulation of the Colorado River between the states, for irrigation development and HEP production. There are now 29 dams along the course of the river.
- In 1990, the states in the lower course of the Colorado River used their full allocation for the first time.
Resource pressure
- Despite the project providing hydroelectric power, flood control and water storage, so far there have been no methods that can sustainably remove all the water needed from the Colorado River.
- Individual states are looking for alternative solutions and sources.
- Nevada is negotiating for extra water allocation (particularly for the heavily water-consuming Las Vegas). Talks have started but solutions have not been met.
UNECE Water Convention, Helsinki
In 1992, the United Nations Economic Commission for Europe (UNECE) held the Water Convention in Helsinki. The Water Convention was adopted in 1992 and entered into force in 1996.
Helsinki Water Convention: aim
- The aim of the Helsinki Water Convention was to improve and protect water quality and quantity in a sustainable manner, whilst resolving and improving co-operation for trans-boundary water resource issues.
Helsinki Water Convention: result
- As a result of the Water Convention, the Integrated Water Resource Management (IWRM) approach was established.
- The IWRM determines what water resources are essential for the ecosystem and what resources are required for efficient social-economic development.
- The IWRM is an alternative to top-down, sector-by-sector management that has a holistic approach.
The Berlin Rules on Water Resources
The Berlin Rules on Water Resources is a document from 2004 that summarises the international law applied to freshwater resources.
The Berlin Rules
- In August 2004 the International Law Association (ILA) approved the Berlin Rules on Water Resources.
- The Berlin Rules state how freshwater resources should be shared, whether nationally or internationally and adopts nine water management principles.
Principles
- The public has the right to be involved in decision-making.
- Resources are managed to promote the availability of supplies.
- The whole drainage basin needs to be considered.
- Economic, social and environmental needs must be met.
- Environmental damage to be limited.
- Everyone must co-operate over shared resources.
- Everyone is to receive a fair share of water.
- Upstream developments are to be controlled.
- All players have an equal position.
Test yourself on Water Treaties & Framework
Which of the following is true of the Colorado River?
The Integrated Water Resource Management (IWRM) has what type of approach?
Which of the following is true of the Helsinki Water Convention?
When did the International Law Association (ILA) approve the Berlin Rules on Water Resources?