Speaking Locally 2018

The Law of the Colorado River: Conflict and Collaboration

Wed Oct 3, 2018
6:00 PM - 7:45 PM
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The mighty Colorado River is a source of life flowing through seven Western U.S. states and Mexico, providing water to nearly 40 million people; it’s the backbone of agriculture, tourism, recreation, irrigation, and hydropower industries in the West. The river basin has a complex history of governance at the State, Federal, and local level known as the “Law of the River.” Famously over-allocated at the time of signing, the Colorado River Compact of 1922 is the cornerstone of the Law of the River and dictates the management of the river’s flows between Upper Basin and Lower Basin states.

How do water managers take on an already over-allocated river with growing stressors such as drought, climate change and an ever-growing population? What will happen if water levels continue to drop in Lake Powell and Lake Mead? What is a “compact call” and what will it mean for Western states, as well as Eagle County as a headwaters community?

Join John McClow, Anne Castle, Pat Mulroy and Eric Kuhn and learn from these experts intimately involved in the management of the Colorado River Upper and Lower basins for answers to these questions as well as the innovative strategies being implemented to combat the growing threats to the river such as the Drought Contingency Plan, System Conservation Pilot Program, Minute 319 & 323 and more.  

This program is presented in partnership with the Eagle River Watershed Council.

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Event SPEAKER(S)

Holly Luff

Holly Luff

Executive Director

Eagle River Watershed Council

Pat Mulroy

Pat Mulroy

Senior Fellow for Climate Adaptation

UNLV’s Brookings Mountain West

John H. McClow

John H. McClow

General Counsel

Upper Gunnison River Water Conservancy District

Eric Kuhn

Eric Kuhn

Former General Manager

Colorado River District

Anne Castle

Anne Castle

Senior Fellow

University of Colorado