Meghan Hodges
The Colorado River is a 1,450-foot-long river that runs from Colorado to Mexico, providing water for 40 million people in seven states and 30 Native nations in its basin. It is the most important river in the region, but it is shrinking due to climate change, corporate water abuse, and pollution. The river is contaminated with pollutants such as fertilisers, pesticides, sewage, motor oil, and heavy metals, which pose risks to both the environment and human health. While authorities maintain that the water is safe, there are concerns about the potential for surface and groundwater contamination, with some calling for a national response to address the issue.
| Characteristics | Values |
|---|---|
| River length | 1,450 feet |
| River course | Colorado to Mexico |
| River course states | Utah, Arizona, California, etc. |
| Number of people dependent on the river | 40 million |
| Cause of shrinking | Climate change, corporate water abuse |
| Pollutants | Pesticides, fertilisers, trash, septic waste, hexavalent chromium, chlorinated hydrocarbons, heavy metals (mercury, arsenic, cadmium) |
| Sources of pollutants | Municipal sewage, industrial wastewater treatment plants, urban development, agricultural stormwater runoff, irrigation return flows, road construction, mining |
| Regulatory body | Colorado Department of Public Health & Environment |
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What You'll Learn
Climate change and corporate water abuse
The Colorado River, which runs from Colorado to Mexico, is facing a major crisis due to the combined effects of climate change and corporate water abuse. The river provides water for approximately 40 million people across seven states and 30 Native nations in the Basin. However, the impacts of climate change and unsustainable water usage are threatening this vital resource.
Climate change-induced melting of ice and snow has resulted in a loss of albedo, or reflectivity, leading to a reduction in the Colorado River's flow. According to studies, for every 1-degree Celsius increase in temperature, the river's flow decreases by 9.4%. With global temperatures already risen by 1-degree Celsius, and projected to increase by more than 3-degrees Celsius by mid-century, the Colorado River is at risk of experiencing "catastrophic water shortages." This is further exacerbated by the Albedo Effect, where the loss of snow and ice causes the river to absorb more energy from the sun, increasing the amount of water lost to evaporation.
Corporate water abuse is another significant contributor to the Colorado River crisis. Agribusiness and the oil and gas industry are among the biggest water abusers in the region. Livestock production, a significant contributor to global climate pollution, accounts for about 15% of it. Drilling for fossil fuels further exacerbates climate change and diverts water from the river. Additionally, the pursuit of groundwater in ancient aquifers by corporations with financial resources has left rural families facing an uncertain future regarding water access.
The Colorado River Basin has also witnessed a surge in nonpoint source pollution. This includes agricultural stormwater runoff, irrigation return flows, and water management activities associated with storage or delivery. Municipal sewage and industrial wastewater treatment plants are significant contributors to point source pollution. Furthermore, urban and suburban development, coupled with population growth, have introduced pollutants such as motor oil, grease, and excess fertilizer into the water system.
The root causes of the Colorado River crisis lie in corporate water abuse and climate change. While states have proposed water cuts, these fail to address the fundamental issues. To effectively tackle the crisis, a comprehensive approach targeting climate change mitigation, sustainable water usage, and the reduction of corporate water abuse is necessary.
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![Pesticides in surface water in agricultural and urban areas of the South Platte River Basin, from Denver, Colorado, to North Platte, Nebraska, 1993-94 / by Robert A. Kimbrough and Davi [Leather Bound]](https://m.media-amazon.com/images/I/61IX47b4r9L._AC_UY218_.jpg)
Groundwater contamination
The Colorado River provides water for 40 million people in the river basin. However, the river is shrinking due to climate change and corporate water abuse. This has led to a hunt for groundwater in ancient aquifers, which has resulted in groundwater contamination.
Another source of groundwater contamination is oil and gas production. Colorado has approximately 47,000 producing oil and gas wells, and if these wells are not properly constructed, they can allow for cross-contamination of pollutants into freshwater zones. Oil and gas operations can also generate large amounts of wastewater, which can be pumped into the ground or spilled accidentally, contaminating surface and groundwater.
Natural sources can also contribute to groundwater contamination. For example, some soils in Colorado naturally contain potentially polluting substances, such as selenium, which can be accelerated by irrigation and livestock grazing activities. Additionally, there are an estimated 23,000 abandoned mines in Colorado, several hundred of which continue to adversely affect the state's water supplies.
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Chromium and other hazardous substances
The Colorado River is facing a number of issues due to pollution and climate change. The river provides water for seven US states and 30 Native nations, but the water is running out. The river's flow is dropping due to global warming, putting billions of people at risk of water shortages. Climate change is making dry periods more common and more intense, further shrinking the river.
One of the key issues facing the Colorado River is the presence of hazardous substances, including chromium and other contaminants. Chromium has been a particular cause for concern among residents along the river. From 1951 to 1964, the Pacific Gas & Electric Company (PG&E) dumped untreated wastewater containing hexavalent chromium into percolation beds near the river. This resulted in groundwater contamination, which is currently being cleaned up under the direction of the California Department of Toxic Substance Control. The US Department of Health and Human Services has determined that chromium compounds can cause cancer and other serious health issues in humans.
In addition to chromium, other hazardous substances have been detected in the Colorado River and its tributaries. These include chlorinated hydrocarbons, pesticides and herbicides, heavy metals such as mercury, arsenic, and cadmium, and pesticide residues. Urban and suburban development, as well as agricultural activities, have also contributed to water pollution in the river. High concentrations of people in urban areas can lead to increased human sewage, which can increase the levels of ammonia, nutrients, and pathogens in the water. Agricultural stormwater runoff, irrigation return flows, and industrial wastewater can also contain high levels of pollutants.
The Colorado Department of Public Health & Environment (CDPHE) is the primary state agency that addresses water pollution in the state. The agency works to regulate and address water pollution issues, including those caused by nonpoint source pollution. Old mines in Summit and Eagle Counties continue to leak acid and heavy metal-contaminated water into streams, affecting water quality in the river basin.
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Urban and agricultural pollution
Urban sewage and wastewater treatment plants are major sources of pollution. As the population in Colorado grows, the amount of human sewage increases, and the treatment and disposal of this sewage can lead to higher concentrations of ammonia, nutrients, and pathogens in the water. Additionally, urban development brings about the use of motor oil, grease, and other automotive materials that can find their way into waterways. Excess fertilizer use on lawns and gardens can also result in runoff, contributing to nutrient pollution in the river.
Agricultural activities, such as the over-application of fertilizers and pesticides, have been identified as sources of water contamination. Pesticide residues have been detected in the Lower Colorado River, contradicting a 1973 EPA analysis that concluded pesticide contamination was not an issue. Agricultural stormwater runoff and irrigation return flows are also exempt from regulation as point source discharges in Colorado, which further exacerbates the problem.
The impact of corporate water abuse cannot be overstated. Agribusinesses, for example, contribute to climate change through livestock production, accounting for about 15% of global climate pollution. Climate change, in turn, exacerbates water scarcity in the Colorado River Basin, intensifying the impact of corporate water extraction. The Pacific Gas & Electric Company (PG&E) has also been implicated in polluting the river with hexavalent chromium, a carcinogen, through their historical dumping of untreated wastewater.
The Colorado Department of Public Health & Environment (CDPHE) plays a regulatory role in addressing water pollution, particularly from nonpoint sources such as agricultural lands and urban development. However, preventing water contamination is significantly more cost-effective than attempting to clean it up after the fact, and a more comprehensive national response is needed to address the problems extending beyond the river's banks.
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River modifications and dams
The Colorado River is facing a crisis due to drought, development, and climate change. The construction of the Hoover Dam in 1936 and the Glen Canyon Dam in 1966 significantly altered the river's flow and temperature and blocked sediment, leading to the loss of riparian forests and endangering native fish species.
Dams have also contributed to the decline or loss of native fish species. The Glen Canyon Dam, in particular, has threatened the humpback chub, which is now facing a new challenge with the introduction of non-native largemouth bass that thrive in the warmer water released from the diminished reservoir. The cold, clear waters below the reservoirs provide an ideal habitat for non-native fish species such as rainbow trout.
The Colorado River's water levels are at historic lows, with Lake Powell and Lake Mead, the two major reservoirs, at only 34% of their capacity. The drought in the Colorado River Basin has been exacerbated by the over-allocation of water according to the Colorado River Compact signed a century ago. Climate change has further intensified dry periods, and rising temperatures have accelerated evaporation from reservoirs, causing rivers to run dry earlier in the season.
The combination of river modifications, dams, and water diversions, along with drought and climate change, have severely impacted the wildlife in the Colorado River Basin. The ecological consequences of river management practices cannot be understated, and collaborative solutions are needed to address the crisis.
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Frequently asked questions
Yes, the Colorado River is polluted. The river is one of the country's most well-known and largest rivers, providing water to seven states and 30 Native nations. However, the Colorado River is also one of the most populated rivers, and its water quality is impacted by various human activities.
There are several sources of pollution in the Colorado River. These include:
- Urban and suburban development: The increasing population in Colorado produces pollutants that impact water quality. Human sewage, motor oil, grease, and other materials contribute to the pollution.
- Agricultural activities: Fertilizer runoff from lawns and agricultural lands can contaminate the water.
- Industrial activities: The treatment of municipal sewage and industrial wastewater is a significant source of pollution.
- Mining: Old mines continue to leak acid and heavy metal-contaminated water into streams.
- Climate change: Global warming has reduced the snow and ice that reflect sunlight away from the Earth's surface, leading to a decrease in the river's flow.
The pollution in the Colorado River has had several negative effects. These include:
- Water shortages: The river's flow is dropping due to global warming and climate change, putting billions of people at risk of water shortages.
- Health risks: The river contains contaminants such as pesticides, heavy metals, and pathogens that can be harmful to humans and the ecosystem.
- Ecological damage: The presence of contaminants and the reduction in flow can lead to ecological shifts and potential environmental alteration.
Several efforts are being made to address the pollution in the Colorado River. The Colorado Department of Public Health & Environment (CDPHE) is the primary state agency working to address water pollution and engaging communities in restoration and protection initiatives. Additionally, organizations like the Clean Colorado River Sustainability Coalition (CCRSCo) are dedicated to addressing the threats and contaminants affecting the river. However, some critics argue that the proposed solutions do not address the root cause of corporate water abuse.
