2D. State’s Measures (Quantity)
Preparation:
Tasks to be completed:
- Complete presentations 1 through 3
- Complete the discussion prompt at the end of this page
Materials:
- Note taking materials
Presentations:
1. Colorado’s Water Rights
2. Underground Water Storage for Future Supply
3. Recycling Our Water – Water Reclamation
Optional Videos:
Virtual Tour of the PureWater Project (Water Recycling)
Colorado’s History with Water
Water rights, altercation between Fort Collins and Greeley and flooding basements.
More on water rights – Rain doesn’t belong to the property owner
Additional Resources:
Discussion Prompt:
Was there any information that was new to you or did this section serve as a refresher? Let us know if any piece of information stood out to you
4 comments
Join the conversationBenita Wilson - July 30, 2020
I had no idea about the efforts in place when it comes to planning for future water use. It was fascinating learning about the reuse and potential water storage options that Denver water is currently investigating. These seem very promising and I can see these innovations as springboards for even newer technologies and solutions as we Colorado continues to grow.
I had a little background on water rights with the “first in time first in right” but I had no idea about the long and tumultuous history of water rights in Colorado. The 12 minute video was engaging and very informational.
Andy Russell - July 30, 2020
How is the volume of water a landowner needs determined? In the graphic in the first video, the claim from 1920 was using less water than the claim from 1940.
The scale of these projects is usually what surprises me. By this point, I should stop being surprised, but there we are. A large city in a state approaching six million people will need a lot of machinery and infrastructure to have a clean, stable water supply. The idea of pumping water into the ground is interesting, but I wonder how practical it is. When I think of lava or oil, don’t they tend to gush to the surface because the interior is under greater pressure? It seems you’d need quite a bit of energy to force water down into a gravel layer to create an aquifer. But if they can make it work, good for them. Reservoirs above ground have some value as recreational sites, but land area is limited.
Thanks for the bonus videos: now I finally know why rain barrels aren’t allowed! I used to commute past a sign complaining about “the rain tax” and it was all very mysterious.
Abigail Seen - August 5, 2020
Who knew miners were the first ones to come up with ideas on how to regulate water? It was over allocated but eventually was fixed. First in time, first in right means so much more to me now especially with the thirsty kids in a field trip analogy. It’s amazing how “water police” curtail water. This ensures reasonable supplies get to towns where it’s needed.
Colette Hunt - August 11, 2020
I found the history of water usage in the South Platte really interesting. I found it interesting that the Union Colony was there first but Ft. Collins farmers dried up the river and there was a fight over the water. There is way more that goes into water usage and rights than I ever thought. During the history when it was talking about how things have changed so much by evolving technology and learning new things. Like when they were using the wells like crazy and it dried up the river and they found out that they two are related. I also really liked the video about how they reclaim water in Denver for reuse. I wonder how people feel about drinking water directly from the waste water treatment plant and if it has the same quality as water taken from a natural source. I also felt like the project of recharging the aquifer is really innovated. It’s amazing to see so many different ideas/ways to potentially get clean water.