In this course, we've emphasized the importance of how the scarcity of water in the American West has shaped so many of the issues around it. In this final module, we'll present some specific cases of complex and often controversial issues that come up because of the unique nature of water in the Western US.
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A Growing Controversy: Hydraulic Fracturing and Water Supplies
This lecture by Dr. Mark Williams from the University of Colorado Boulder gives an overview on the controversial topic of hydraulic fracturing (also known as "fracking"). What is it and how does it affect our water supply? This video is part of the Water in the Western US project.
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Understanding Water Quality Impacts: Boulder Creek Case Study
In this video, Sheila Murphy from the US Geological Survey gives a lecture on the effects that wildfire has on water quality and quantity. This lecture is part of the Water in the Western US project.
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Science, Management, and Reality: The Story of the California Bay Delta
Peter Goodwin and Phil Isenberg of the Delta Stewardship Council gave this lecture on the story of the California Bay Delta. They discuss complex management issues with California's water supply and more. This video is part of the Water in the Western US project.
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Doing More With Less: Water Conservation and New Supplies in Las Vegas
In this part of the Water in the Western US lecture series, Eric Gordon from the University of Colorado Boulder discusses the rapid growth of Las Vegas and the history of its water use. This western water story can help us learn about how desert towns can improve their water sustainability.
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A Collision of Impacts: The Water Energy Nexus
In this lecture, Dr. Kristen Averyt from the University of Colorado Boulder gives a lecture on the link between water and energy, also known as the Water-Energy Nexus. Learn about how water can generate power. This video is part of the Water in the Western US project.
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What Does the Future Hold?
In the final video lecture of the series, Eric Gordon and Anne Gold from CIRES wrap up the series by giving an overview of the previous lectures and discussing possibilities of future challenges facing water in the west.
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