Studies
Listed according to study type: flow recommendation, multi-topic, aquatic biology, riparian biology, water quality, or geomorphology.
Flow Assessment
The importance of base flow in sustaining surface water flow in the Upper Colorado River Basin
(http://onlinelibrary.wiley.com/doi/10.1002/2015WR017963/abstract)
By Matthew P. Miller, Susan G. Buto, David D. Susong and Christine A. Rumsey
In Water Resources Research, an AGU Journal, May 9, 2016
Multi-Topic
Cross Boundary Water Transfers in the Colorado River Basin
(www.waterpolicy.info/docs/CrossJurisdictionalWaterMarketingCRBJune2013.pdf)
By: Colorado River Governance Initiative, University of Colorado Law School, June 2013
Notes: The use of water markets to reallocate water within the Colorado River Basin states is well established and growing, and provides a valuable mechanism for adjusting to long-term demographic (or climatic) changes as well as addressing short-term crises, such as droughts. However, the use of this tool at larger, cross-jurisdictional scales—particularly those that cross state lines and Indian reservation boundaries—has been limited, despite numerous proposals. This report reviews major (and unsuccessful) proposals—all limited to voluntary and temporary leases—going back as far as 1984, tracing the political fallout of each effort, and the lessons that have emerged.
Colorado River Basin Water Supply and Demand Study
(www.usbr.gov/lc/region/programs/crbstudy.html)
Published by the US Bureau of Reclamation, December 2012
Note: This major study, completed by a large, multi-state team, assesses past, current and potential future water supply and demand, taking into account the paleo record, climate change projections, and potential management actions.
Colorado River Water Bank Feasibility Study - Phase 1
(http://www.coloradoriverdistrict.org/wp-content/uploads/2015/10/Water-Bank-Phase-1-Report_Final-DRAFT_June-2012.pdf)
Prepared by the MWH Americas, Inc. for the Colorado River District, December 2009
Note:- Estimate water uses on the East Slope and West Slope that are met with water rights that are not ‘present perfected rights’ under the Compact (i.e. not “pre-Compact water rights”)(....)
Colorado River Water Bank Feasibility Study - Phase 2
(http://www.coloradoriverdistrict.org/wp-content/uploads/2015/10/Water-Bank-Phase-2-Report_Final-DRAFT_March-2013.pdf)
Prepared by the MWH Americas, Inc. for the Colorado River Water Conservation District, March 2013
Note:- Defining requirements and preferences for candidate irrigation systems to be considered as test cases for conducting on-site interviews and inspections(....)
Colorado River Water Bank Feasibility Study - Phase 2b
(http://www.coloradoriverdistrict.org/wp-content/uploads/2015/10/Water-Bank-Phase-2B-Combined-Report-DRAFT-October-2015.pdf)
Prepared by Shaden Musleh and John Craven, Hydros Consulting, Inc. for the Water Bank Subcommittee, October 2015
Note: The purpose of this memorandum is to provide a qualitative assessment and summary of conclusions for water banking for the three ditch systems described in Hydros’ technical memoranda attached as Appendices A-C.
Aquatic Biology
Fragmentation and Thermal Risks from Climate Change Interact to affect persistence of native trout in the Colorado River Basin
(http://onlinelibrary.wiley.com/doi/10.1111/gcb.12136/full)
By James J. Roberts, Kurt D. Fausch, Douglas P. Peterson, Mevin B. Hooten. In Global Change Biology, May, 2013
Type: Aquatic Biology
Riparian Biology
Colorado River Basin Tamarisk and Russian Olive Assessment
(http://www.tamariskcoalition.org/sites/default/files/files/TRO_Assessment_FINAL%2012-09.pdf)
Prepared by the Tamarisk Coalition for The Parties to the Memorandum of Understanding, December 2009
Note: The MOU’s intent was to further the seven Colorado River Basin States’ investigations of potential water augmentation options that might provide future water supplies within the Basin. By controlling invasive phreatophytes, specifically tamarisk and Russian olive, which have a reputation for using significant quantities of water, it has been postulated that water currently lost through evapotranspiration processes could be reduced and thus made available to augment water supplies.
Water Quality
Supply and Use
Evaluation of the NIDIS Upper Colorado River Basin Drought Early Warning System
http://wwa.colorado.edu/publications/reports/NIDIS_report.pdf
By: University of Colorado, Boulder, November 2014
Type: Supply
By: Michael Cohen, Juliet Christian-Smith, and John Berggren, Pacific Institute, 2013
Type: Supply
By: Julie Vano, et al, January 2012
Type: Supply
By: James Pritchett, for the CRB Water Sharing Working Group and the Walton Family Foundation, January 2011
Type: Supply
Historical effects of El Nino and La Nina events on the seasonal evolution of the montane snowpack in the Columbia and Colorado River Basins
By: Clark, M. P. and Serrezel, M. C., Water Resources Research, 2001
Type: Climate/Crisis
Geomorphology
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Dust radiative forcing in snow of the Upper Colorado River Basin
By: Painter,T.H., Water Resources Research, Vol. 48., 2012
Merging Satellite and Model Information to Improve Snowpack and Water Supply Forecasting
By: Livneh, B, and Deems, J.S.. EIC Climate Change Technology Conference, 2013