How did the American West end up with many of the world's largest dams? How does the West's unique legal system for allocating water work? Who gets the right to use water how, and why? We'll cover these topics and more in our module on history, politics, and culture!

Engage Reference

History and Development of Water in the West

Dr. Paul Lander from the University of Colorado Boulder gives a lecture on the history of water resources in the Western United States, from the pre-colonial time period onward. This video is part of the Water in the Western US lecture series.
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Native American Tribes and Water

In this video, Julie Nania from the High Country Conservation Advocates discusses tribal water uses in the Western United States. Learn more about the historical cultural relationship between Native American tribes and natural water. This video is part of the Water in the Western US lecture series.
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Water Storage and Delivery Infrastructure

In this video, Dr. Anne Gold from CU Boulder explains the importance of infrastructure for the storage and delivery of water in the dry Western United States. Learn all about the history of this infrastructure and how it has helped societies in the Western United States. This video is part of the Water in the Western US lecture series.
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Prior Appropriation

In this video, Assistant Attorney General Kate Ryan from the Colorado Supreme Court gives an overview of water rights across the Western US and the Prior Appropriation Doctrine. Learn why this doctrine is important for learning about water in the west. This video is part of the Water in the Western US project.
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Interstate Water Conflicts and Agreements

Interstate Streams Division Administrator for the Wyoming State Engineer's Office, Sue Lowry, gives a lecture on important things to know about how interstate water conflicts can be resolved in the United States. This video is part of the Water in the Western US lecture series.
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Environmental Flows and the Endangered Species Act

This lecture by Dr. Mark Squillace of the University of Colorado Law School covers water, public rights, and the Endangered Species Act. This video is part of the Water in the Western US lecture series.
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