Kravarik, J, & Elam, S. (2022, August 7). Nebraska and Colorado are sparring over water rights. It could be the new norm as rivers dry up. cnn.com. https://www.cnn.com/2022/08/06/us/drought-water-canal-colorado-nebraska-climate/index.html 

The South Platte River is the livelihood of people living on the Colorado-Nebraska border. Bringing into effect a century old compact, Nebraska is planning on building a canal in Colorado to divert water to a reservoir. Colorado is not in favor of this plan. The action was spurred by severe drought and proposed developments in Colorado along the river that would significantly reduce the amount of water flowing into Nebraska. Residents worry that the canal would harm the economy and ecosystem supported by the river. Farmers also have concerns about how the drought and canal will continue to affect their businesses. As long as climate change continues in the same way, more and more states will be fighting similar battles on water usage. 

The most troubling thing in this article, besides the drought and decreasing water supply, is how little concern there seems to be surrounding the effects of these planned developments on the ecosystem of the river. However vital water is to human life, disturbing the natural flow of the river will have even more extensive consequences on ecosystem services, habitats along the river, and eventually us. Hopefully the final decision will be beneficial to the economy, environment, and residents.

Segarra, C. (2022, August 11). In New Mexico, there’s not enough water for everyone. krqe.com. https://www.krqe.com/plus/data-reporting/in-new-mexico-theres-not-enough-water-for-everyone/ 

The Rio Grande provides water to Colorado, New Mexico, and Texas, about 6 million people. However due to climate change and rising populations, it is quickly becoming clear that it is no longer a reliable source. In New Mexico, 76% of water goes to agriculture, though that’s not to say that farmers have a surplus of water. Multiple conservation efforts have started in New Mexico in recent years, making water usage in cities and agriculture more efficient. Even with these efforts and flips between groundwater and surface water being used, New Mexico and the rest of states sharing from the Rio Grande have to make some fundamental changes to continue to survive. 

Even with water rights being correctly handled and conservation efforts in place, it’s not always enough to meaningfully combat climate change. Although this can be discouraging, our need for water isn’t going anywhere, which is why it’s so important to continue to study the natural world to find sustainable solutions. When doing this, it’s especially important to make sure one area is not being disproportionately affected by restrictions. 

Sanchez, S. (2022, August 8). Border-barrier crews taking water from South Texas canals despite drought restrictions. kxan.com. https://www.kxan.com/border-report/exclusive-border-barrier-crews-taking-water-from-south-texas-canals-despite-drought-restrictions/ 

Because Texas is in the midst of a drought, restrictions have been put into effect for residents living in the Rio Grande Valley. Nearby, crews working on the border wall have been taking truckloads of water from the canal. Even the National Butterfly Center, which has water rights to the Rio Grande, has been stopped from accessing water by the watermaster. The canal however, is exempt from the restriction because it delivers water to public services. Residents face fines for wasteful and unnecessary water usage, but the construction teams are using the water to reduce dust by pouring it on the ground. 

This example of how residents and corporations face wildly different scenarios regarding water restrictions helps show the loopholes in the system. It also shows the importance of fixing these loopholes so that water can’t be misused as easily. Especially because of the severity of the drought and current importance of eliminating water waste. Hopefully these issues are fixed in the near future to ensure a more just and sustainable future. 

Cook, E. (2022, July 19). Race to the Bottom: How Central Oregon groundwater sells to the highest bidders. opb.org. https://www.opb.org/article/2022/07/19/deschutes-water-rights-access-well-drilling-groundwater-central-oregon/ 

Wells in Central Oregon are going dry as more and more people move in. The public’s only recourse is to drill deeper at a great cost, but wealthy corporations can buy water rights and transfer the water wherever. The proposed plans for Thornburgh resort require large amounts of water, but as construction stalls legal troubles arise. Thornburgh developer Kameron DeLashmutt is currently buying up water rights from far away areas. Residents nearby to the development are suing Delashmutt, but their efforts are only stalling him. The state agency in charge of water rights seems to be far more lenient with similar corporations than the pleas of residents, and this plan is expected to go forward in the face of droughts, climate change, and decreasing groundwater supplies. 

It’s completely unjust that in the midst of so many crises, wealth and profit still has the final say in decisions about conservation and the environment. Despite the increasing number of dry wells, DeLashmutt is acting in the interest of profit and continues to buy up more water rights, preventing those in need from accessing them, or the state from regaining control over them. Additionally, this pattern of unsustainability will soon have even greater consequences to the environment and Oregon’s residents.

Unruh, G. (2022, August 9). Indigenous Movement Growing to Reclaim Water Rights. abq.news. https://abq.news/2022/08/indigenous-movement-growing-to-reclaim-water-rights/

Indigenous people have been living in El Malpais, New Mexico for centuries. Studies show that these groups learned how to survive droughts by harnessing the natural resources of the area. Even though Indigenous people have been stewards of the land for so long, groups living in the Rio Grande basin only get rights to about a fourth of the river. The Pueblo and Tribal communities specifically want to have more of a say in decision making around water rights, considering their historical presence and knowledge of the land. The current laws regarding water and land contradict their original instructions. The changes they are advocating for will help everyone living in the Southwest. 

This article helped give more information and insight into a very important topic. Environmental science is an extremely white dominated profession. Despite the vast knowledge of the natural world and experience living sustainably the generations of Indigenous people have, as well as rights to the land, they are rarely a large part of decisions being made. In the face of climate change mainly brought on by human actions, the movement to give water and land rights back to Indigenous people who know how to correctly care for these areas is extremely important, and will benefit everyone in the end.