Colorado River System Quiz
Basin, dams, water allocation issues (10 questions).
Colorado River System Quiz: Quick Study Notes
The Colorado River is the lifeline of the American Southwest, providing water and electricity to over 40 million people across seven states and two nations. Understanding its complex system of dams, basins, and legal agreements is crucial for geography and environmental science students.
Key Takeaways
- The river serves 7 U.S. states (Upper: CO, NM, UT, WY; Lower: AZ, CA, NV) and Mexico.
- The 1922 Colorado River Compact governs the allocation of water rights between the basins.
- Lake Mead and Lake Powell are the two largest reservoirs in the United States by capacity.
- The river carves through the Grand Canyon, exposing nearly 2 billion years of geological history.
- The majority of the river’s water is diverted for agriculture, particularly in the Imperial Valley.
- Due to extensive diversion, the river rarely reaches the ocean in modern times.
What are the 7 states in the Colorado River Basin?
The seven basin states are divided into the Upper Basin (Colorado, New Mexico, Utah, Wyoming) and the Lower Basin (Arizona, California, Nevada).
Why is the Colorado River drying up?
The decline in water levels is primarily caused by a combination of climate change-induced “aridification” (prolonged drought) and systemic over-allocation of water rights.
Which dam creates Lake Mead?
Lake Mead is formed by the Hoover Dam, located on the border between Nevada and Arizona.
Does the Colorado River reach the ocean?
Historically, it flowed into the Gulf of California. Today, due to heavy upstream diversion for cities and farms, it rarely reaches the sea, drying up in the Mexican delta.
What is the largest tributary of the Colorado River?
The Green River is the largest tributary by length and discharge, joining the Colorado River in Canyonlands National Park, Utah.
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