Institutional levels of water management in the Colorado River basin region: A macro-historical geographic review

Abstract

Complex water-stressed basins like the Colorado River in North America have multiple institutional levels of water management. Each institutional level is characterized by rules, organizations, and spatial jurisdictions that developed over decades to centuries to shape a dynamic multi-level system. After introducing the concept of institutional levels, and its relationship to geographic scales, this paper employs systematic bibliographic search methods to review their development in the Colorado River basin region. Results begin with the community level of water management from prehistoric Indian water cultures to early Hispanic water communities, 19th century water communities, and 20th century water organizations. Conflict among water communities shaped the state level of constitutional authority over water rights administration during the 19th century. Competition among states led in the 20th century to the interstate level of apportionment that often paralleled federal and tribal level water development policies, eventually leading to the international level of treaty relations between the U.S. and Mexico. This macro-historical geographic progression from institutions that were relatively small in size and early in time to those at higher levels and more recent in time offers insights into the multi-level institutional logic of the “law of the river” in the Colorado River basin region.

Status and suggestions for hydropower development of five major river basins in Punjab, India

“…The primary objectives include a meticulous assessment of existing infrastructure, operational capacities, and the identification of unexploited potential within the river basins. Furthermore, the study endeavors to delineate strategic recommendations and suggestions aimed at optimizing untapped resources, promoting sustainable development practices, and addressing challenges prevalent in the hydropower sector (Wescoat Jr JL, 2023) [4] .…”

Optimal water resource allocation considering virtual water trade in the Yellow River Basin

“…Water allocation changes in a basin can directly cause regional economic fluctuations and trigger external economic changes. However, industrial sector interactions reshape the basin water allocation patterns 3 , e.g., the Yellow River Basin 4 – 6 , the South-to-North Water Transfer Project 7 – 9 , the Pearl River Basin 10 , 11 , the Colorado River Basin 12 , 13 , etc. Therefore, methods to optimize water resource allocation in the basin and adapt regional development strategy goals to total regional water resources constraints are crucial to the sustainable development of the basin.…”