Hydrowonk breaks down the COVID-19 Economic Recovery for each Colorado River Basin state. Channeling Rod Stewart, “every picture tells a story” regarding the context of the economies of each state in the Colorado River Basin.
Addressing the over-appropriation of the Colorado River requires the Bureau of Reclamation to evolve in its role as “watermaster.” Understandably, the focus over the past decades has been administration of existing water delivery contracts, improved “system operations” and, since the early 2000s, short-term administration of water shortages. Acknowledgement of “long-term” challenges requires “long-term” responses. A three-pronged approach may prove the recipe for success.
The historical narrative of the Colorado River focuses on how to address the rapid economic development in the Lower Basin relative to the pace of economic development in the Upper Basin. The economic recovery of Colorado River Basin states from the COVID-19 disruption will turn the historical narrative on its head.
How did the Colorado River Basin states’ economic recovery from COVID-19 perform? Understanding the outcome will shape the future circumstances of the management of the Colorado River.