
Revisionist History
Our activity for Module 8 focuses on evaluation and implementation of strategies to cope with water scarcity. Of course, the optimal portfolio of strategies will differ from region to region, depending on several factors, including (but not restricted to!): climate, geography, availability of surface water and groundwater sources nearby, economics, demand, and the distribution of major water uses. In the assignment (described in more detail below), your objective is to develop a water portfolio for the City of Phoenix, AZ, drawing upon what you have learned about different approaches to mitigate risks of water shortage in this module, as well as what you learned in previous modules about surface water, groundwater, precipitation patterns, and dams.
Assignment: A Water Plan for Phoenix
It is 1915. You are the chief of the water authority of Phoenix, AZ (population 13,000) in the arid American West. You are tasked with developing a plan to secure water supply for the next century, in the context of economic development, population growth, and power generation. (You may, of course, incorporate what you know about how things have unfolded over the past century in the American Southwest in developing your plan – consider it a “second chance” to develop a water resource strategy with the benefit of hindsight!).
Prior to writing your water plan, you should watch/read through the following materials. They will give you a historical and current perspective, which should help you determine how you develop your water plan for Phoenix.
- Here is a link to the complete version of the Cadillac Desert documentary.
Part I - Mulhollands Dream (90 mins; runs from 0:00 - 1:23) - story of the hunt & exploitation of water in and around Los Angeles
Part II - An American Desert (60 mins; runs from 1:24 - 2:18) - story of the Colorado River, including how it became regulated and controlled
*Watching both, but definitely watch the entirety of Part II. - KJZZ Explains
- Phoenix New Times article on Colorado River Drought Cuts
- AWDR: History of Water Management in AZ
- The Guardian - Plight of Phoenix
(blended / in-person classes only) We will devote the class period to discussion and peer critique of your draft plans in groups of 3-4
What you will turn in:
- You will need to download, complete, and submit the following worksheet document in Canvas(.docx). You will use this document to outline your overall strategy and path forward that will best address the growing city’s needs.
In your document your bullet points must provide a strategy touching on each of the following, but may include additional examples not on this list.
- Water source(s). You may want to do some research on regional aquifer systems, look at maps of nearby surface water, oceans, or other potential water sources.
- Water quality, and how this may play in to your target(s) for water source.
- Risks associated with climate variability.
- Financing of infrastructure, delivery, management, and quality.
- Population and/or economic growth.
- Food production and irrigation, vs. importation.