Lake Superior Water Headed to the Southwest - Word on the Street Other forms of augmentation, like desalination, are also gaining popularity on the national scene as possible options. Page Contact Information: Missouri Water Data Support Team Page Last Modified: 2023-03-04 08:46:14 EST A 45-mile, $16 billion tunnel that would mark California's largest water project in nearly 50 years took a step closer to reality this week, with Gov. Other forms of augmentation, like desalination, are also gaining popularity on the national scene as possible options. Donate today to keep our climate news free. Arizona lawmakers want to build a pipeline from the Mississippi River more than a thousand miles away, a Colorado rancher wants to pipe water 300 miles across the Rockies, and Utah wants. The drought is so critical that this recent rainfall is a little like finding a $20 bill when youve lost your job and youre being evicted from your house, said Rhett Larson, an Arizona State University professor of water law. So moving water that far away to supplement the ColoradoRiver, I don't think is viable. Haul icebergs from the Arctic to a new southern California port. The idea of diverting water from the Mississippi to the Colorado River basin is an excellent one, albeit also fantastically expensive. Take that, Lake Mead. A multi-state compact already prohibits any sale of water from the Great Lakes unless all bordering states agree to it, and its almost certain that Mississippi River states would pass laws restricting water diversions, or file lawsuits against western states, if the project went forward. And biologists andenvironmental attorneys saidNew Orleans and the Louisiana coast, along with the interior swamplands, need every drop of muddy Mississippi water. Idaho joins Texas lawsuit against Biden administration over federal The water pipelines from the Mississippi River in Davenport, Iowa connecting to the headwaters of the Colorado River at the Rocky Mountain National Park. and Renstrom says that unless Utah builds a long-promised pipeline to pump water 140 miles from Lake . Specifically, start with a line from the Mississippi River to the Colorado River at Lake Powell, where a seven-state compact divvies up the water. Simulation of monthly mean and monthly base flow of streamflow using The only newsroom focused on exploring solutions at the intersection of climate and justice. Shipping Snow: Could Eastern Water Ease Western Drought? The idea of diverting water from the Mississippi to the Colorado River basin is an excellent one, albeit also fantastically expensive. The project would require more than 300 new dams,canals, pipelines, tunnels, and pumping stations, bans large waterexportsoutside of the area. Buying land to secure water rights would cost a chunk of cash, too, which leads to an even larger obstacle for such proposals: the legal and political hoops. Letters to the Editor: Antigovernment ideology isnt working for snowed-in mountain towns, Letters to the Editor: Ignore Marjorie Taylor Greene? Email: newsroom@coloradosun.com Physically, some could be achieved. But interest spans deeper than that. Politics are an even bigger obstacle to making multi-state pipelines a reality. We have already introduced invasive species all over the continentzebra mussels, quagga mussels, grass carp, spiny water flea, lampreys, ru. "To my mind, the overriding fatal flaw for large import schemes is the time required to become operational. Has no one noticed how much hotter the desert is getting, not to mention the increase in fires in our area. Experts say those will require sacrifices but not as many as building a giant pipeline would require. So what are the solutions to the arid West's dilemma, as climate change heats up and California's State Water Project, along with Lake Mead and Lake Powell, shrivels due to reduced snowmelt and rainfall? Most recently, in 2012, the U.S. Bureau of Reclamation produced a report laying out a potentially grim future for the Colorado River, and had experts evaluate 14 big ideas commonly touted as potential solutions. USGS 05587500 Mississippi River at Alton, IL. The price tag for construction would add to this hefty bill, along with the costs of powering the equipment needed to pump the water over the Western Continental Divide. But interest spans deeper than that. My water, your water. Major projects to restore the coast and save brown pelicans and other endangered species are now underway, and Mississippi sediment delivery is at the heart of them. Since about 1983, Lake Mead has dropped in volume from full capacity at. A water pipeline like Millions would help, if he could wave a magic wand and build it, but Fort believes the present scramble over the Colorado River will likely make such projects impossible to realize. The basic idea is to take water from the Mississippi River, pump it a thousand miles west, and dump it into the overtaxed Colorado River, which provides water for millions of Arizona residents but has reached historically low levels as its reservoirs dry up. He said hes open to one but doesnt think its necessary. Even at its cheapest, the project would cost about twice as much per acre-foot of water delivered than other solutions like water conservation and reuse. Other legal constraints include the Endangered Species Act, the National Environmental Protection Act and variousstate environmental laws, said Brent Newman, senior policy director for the National Audubon Society's Delta state programs. Just this past summer, the idea caused a firestorm of letters to the editor at a California newspaper. By George Skelton Capitol Journal Columnist Aug. 30, 2021 5 AM PT SACRAMENTO The award for dumbest idea of the recall election goes to the rookie Democrat who proposed building a water. People need to focus on their realistic solutions.. Plus, the federal report found the water would be of much lower quality than other western water sources. The delta was tricky for barge traffic and shipping to navigate. Still, its physically possible. As western states grew over the twentieth century, the federal government helped them build several massive water diversion projects that would hydrate their growing urban populations: The Central Arizona Project aqueduct brought water from the Colorado River to Phoenix, for instance, and the Big Thompson system piped water across the Colorado Rockies to Denver. Pipeline debate at center of California carbon capture plans Arizona and Nevada residents must curb their use of water from the Colorado River, and California could be next. after the growth in California . Can you solve drought by piping water across the country? - New York Times We want to have more sustainable infrastructure. ", Westford of Southern California's Metropolitan Water District agreed. The trooper inside suffered minor injuries. Yes. An acre-foot is enough water to serve about two households for a year, so it could supply water to 150 million customers. Opinion: How has American healthcare gone so wrong? What states in the Southwest have failed to do is curtail growth and agriculture that is, of course, water-driven. Guess Who Proposed the Missouri River Pipeline in the Federal She and others worked to persuade reluctant consumers, builders and policymakers to ditchwidely usedsix-gallon flush toilets in favor of perfectly effective two-gallon versions. The Arizona Legislature wants the federal government to study the feasibility of constructing a pipeline . This latest version would curve up through the Wyoming flatlands and back down to Fort Collins, a distance of around 340 miles. Run a pipeline a few hundred miles to the San Juan River in Pagosa Springs CO which drains into Lake Powell and you are good to go. If you dont have enough of it, go find more. This One thousand mile long pipeline could move water from the Eastern USA (Great Lakes, Ohio River, Missouri River, and Mississippi River) to the Colorado River via the Mississippi River. Yet some smaller-scale projects have become reality. From winter lettuce in grocery stores to the golf courses of the Sun Belt, the Wests explosive growth over the past century rests on aqueducts, canals and drainage systems. States have [historically] been very successful in getting the federal government to pay for wasteful, unsustainable, large water projects, said Denise Fort, a professor emerita at the University of New Mexico who has studied water infrastructure. California Departmentof Water Resourcesspokeswoman Maggie Maciasin an email: In considering the feasibility of a multi-state water conveyance infrastructure, the extraordinary costs that would be involved in planning, designing, permitting, constructing, and then maintaining and operating such a vast system of infrastructure would be significant obstacles when compared to the water supply benefits and flood water reduction benefits that it would provide. Water Piped to Denver Could Ease Stress on River - The New York Times The federal Water Conservation Bureau gave approval Tuesday to piping 440 billion gallons of water per month to Arizona. Famiglietti also said while oil companies are willing to spend millions because their product yields high profits per gallon, that's not the case with water, typically considered a public resource. The conceptsfell into a few large categories: pipe Mississippi or Missouri River water to the eastern sideof the Rockies or to Lake Powell on the Arizona-Utah border, bring icebergs in bags, on container ships or via trucks to Southern California, pump water from the Columbia River in the Pacific Northwest to California via a subterranean pipeline on the floor of the Pacific Ocean, or replenish the headwaters of the Green River, the main stem of the Colorado River, with water from tributaries. Such major infrastructure is an absolute necessity, said Tom Buschatzke, director of the Arizona Department of Water Resources, who said he represents the governor on all things Colorado River.. Drought Revives Mississippi River Pipe Dreams - The Waterways Journal Canadian water for California's drought? - High Country News But, he said, the days of mega-pipelines in the U.S. are likely over due to lack of environmental and political will. The U.S. Army Corps of Engineers, prodded by members of Congressfrom western states, studied the massive proposal. Even smaller projects stand to be derailed by similar hiccups. Almost two decades ago, when Million was working on a masters thesis, he happened upon a map that showed the Green River making a brief detour into Colorado on its way through Utah. Do we have the political will? Yet some smaller-scale projects have become reality. Vessels ran aground and had to navigate very carefully. "The desalinationplant Arizona has scoped out would be by far the largest ever in North America,"said Jennifer Pitt, National Audubon Society's Colorado River program director. Yahoo, Reddit and ceaseless headlines about a 22-year megadrought and killer flash floods, not to mention dead bodies showing up on Lake Meads newly exposed shoreline, have galvanized reader interest this summer. Drought conditions plagued the region throughout 2022, prompting concerns over river navigation. It would cost at least $1,700 per acre-feet of water, potentially yield 600,000 acre-feet of water per year by 2060 and take 30 years to construct. Its one of dozens of letters the paperhas received proposing or vehemently opposing schemes to fix the crashing Colorado River system, which provides water to nearly 40 million people and farms in seven western states. USGS 05587500 Mississippi River at Alton, IL Paffrath proposed building a pipeline from the Mississippi River to bring water to drought-stricken California. The water would be drained via a 36 inch pipe already installed four miles west of Sugarloaf Mountain outside Marquette. Absolutely not," said Meena Westford, executive director of Colorado River resource policy for the Metropolitan Water District of Southern California. In the meantime, researchers encourage more feasible and sustainable options, including better water conservation, water recycling, and less agricultural reliance. If we had a big pipeline from Lake Sakakawea, we wouldn't just dump it into Lake Powell. But if areas like the Coachella Valley continue to approve surf waveparks and "beachfront" developments in the desert, "we're screwed," he said bluntly. Developed in 1964 by engineer Ralph Parsons and his Pasadena-basedParsons Corporation,the plan would provide 75million acre-feet of water to arid areas inCanada, the United States and Mexico. The ongoing drought in California has hit its fourth year. And there are several approved diversions that draw water from the Great Lakes. Many sawSiefkes' idea and others like it as sheer theft by a region that needs to fix its own woes. Arizona, for instance, has invested millions of dollars in wastewater recycling while other communities have paid to fix leaky pipes, making their water delivery systems more efficient. People need to focus on their realistic solutions.. . Pat Mulroy, head of the Southern Nevada Water Authority, pitched a bold idea at a US Chamber of Commerce event last week: divert excess Mississippi River water to the west to irrigate crops to reduce pressure on the stressed Colorado River. Ive cowboyed enough in my life to know that you just got to stick to the trail, he said. Can A Pipeline Really Bring Drinking Water From Mississippi To The West? As an engineer, I can guarantee you that it is doable, Viadero said. Moving water from the Mississippi River to west would require massive Grist is powered by WordPress VIP. We have to conserve water, butnota ridiculous wave parkthat willprobably go bankrupt? Mississippi River to Colorado River Solar Powered Pipeline - Halfbakery Widespread interest in the plan eventually fizzled. Proponents of these projects argue that they could stabilize western cities for decades to come, connecting populations with unclaimed water rights. All three officials said the construction of a45-mile Delta Water Project tunnel to keep supply flowing from the middle of the state to thirsty cities in the south isvital. Most recently, the Arizona state legislature passed a measure in 2021 urging Congress to investigate pumping flood water from the Mississippi River to the Colorado River to bolster its flow. A water pipeline from the Mississippi River to the west? - Los Angeles No one wants to leave the western states without water, said Melissa Scanlan, a freshwater sciences professor at the University of Wisconsin-Milwaukee. In 1982,efforts were made to revive the plan by a Parsons company engineer, and the Lyndon Larouche movement supported itas recently as 2010. 00:00 00:00 An unknown error. It's the lowest level since the lake was filled in the. She said extensive public education, aided by federal mandates and financial incentives, eventually led toa wholesale transition that saves millions of gallons of water. "We're going to start to see these reservoirs, which nine of them are already filled from the rain water, so then you add on snow melt and we may have some problems with that as far as flooding . You should worry, Hidden, illegal casinos are booming in L.A., with organized crime reaping big profits, Look up: The 32 most spectacular ceilings in Los Angeles, Elliott: Kings use their heads over hearts in trading Jonathan Quick, This fabled orchid breeder loves to chat just not about Trader Joes orchids. Page Contact Information: Missouri Water Data Support Team Page Last Modified: 2023-03-04 08:46:14 EST . My state, your state. For as long as this idea has been proposed. Were not looking for the last dollar out of this project, he told me. For one, theres no longer enough unclaimed water to make most pipeline projects cost-effective. More by The Associated Press, Got a story tip? As an engineer, I can guarantee you that it is doable, Viadero said. When that happens, it wont be just tourists and recreational boaters who will suffer. Runa giant hose from the Columbia River along the bottom of the Pacific Ocean to refill Diamond Valley Reservoir. This would take 254 days to fill.. Lake Mead is at its lowest level since it was filled 85 years ago. As the largest single contractor of the SWP and a major supporter of Southern California water conservation and recycling programs, Metropolitan seeks feasible alternatives to convey Colorado River Aqueduct supplies or Diamond Valley Lake storage from the eastern portion of its service area or purified water from Pure Water Southern California . Just this past summer, the idea caused a firestorm of letters to the editor at a California newspaper. The lawsuit, originally filed in southern Texas' federal courts Jan. 18, was amended to include Idaho on Monday. of Engineers has turned back official requests for more water from the Missouri River to alleviate shortages on the Mississippi. Steps are being taken to address water issues in Buckeye. Is Getting Great Lakes Water To The Southwest Just A Pipedream I find it interesting that households have to watch how much water theyare usingfor washing clothes, wateringlawns, washing cars,etc. And, here in the land of the midnight 90-degree temperatures, we are building our very own ice hockey rink, because there is more than enough electricity to freeze that body of water and keep the arena cold enough to keep the ice from melting. A Kansas groundwater management agency, for instance, received a permit last year to truck 6,000 gallons of Missouri River water into Kansas and Colorado in hopes of recharging an aquifer. Most notably, the Mississippi River basin doesn't always have enough water to spare. Great Lakes water piped to Southwest 'our future,' says NASA scientist Lower Mississippi River flow means less sediment carried down to Louisiana, where its used for coastal restoration. But it's doable. At one point, activists who opposed the project erected three large billboards warning about the high cost and potential consequences, such as the possibility that drawing down the Green River could harm the rivers fish populations. Pipelines usually consist of sections of pipe made of . 2023 www.desertsun.com. Who is Kevin Paffrath? Democrat recall candidate calls for a pipeline Do Not Sell or Share My Personal Information, Unrecognizable. Lake Mead, a lifeline for water in Los Angeles and the West, tips toward crisis. Stop letting excess water flow out to sea. The actual costs to build such a pipeline today would likely be orders of magnitude higher, thanks to inflation and inevitable construction snags. Reader support helps sustain our work. Each year worsens our receipt of rain and snow. Then take it out of the southern tip of the aquifer in Southern Colorado. It's 2011 and the technology exists to build a series of water pipelines across the US, to channel flood water to holding tanks in other areas, and to supply water to drought stricken areas. The idea of a pipeline transecting the continent is not a new idea. Formal large-scale water importation proposals have existed in the United States since at least the 1960s, when an American company devised the North American Water and Power Alliance to redistribute Alaskan water across the continent using reservoirs and canals. Column: Building a pipeline to the Mississippi? An idea as harebrained But moving water from one drought-impacted area to another is not a solution.. pipeline, line of pipe equipped with pumps and valves and other control devices for moving liquids, gases, and slurries (fine particles suspended in liquid). About 33% of vegetables and 66% of fruits and nuts are produced in California for consumption for the nation. An earlier version of this story misidentified for which agency Jennifer Pitt was a technical adviser. Water pipeline not feasible - Las Vegas Sun Newspaper The Old River Control Structure, as it was dubbed, is also the linchpin of massive but delicate locks and pulsed flows that feed the largest bottomland hardwood forests and wetlands in the United States, outstripping thebetter-known Okefenokee Swamp that straddles Georgia and Florida.