Water in the Western United States
Water is important to all of us. Water connects people through place, memory, and community. But in places where water is scarce, like the Western United States, water can also be contentious and divisive. How then do we overcome the challenges associated with increased water scarcity while honoring the diverse perspectives of people who rely on shared water?
Monthly Subscription Starting at AED 99 + VAT
- Level Foundation
- Duration 24 hours
- Course by University of Colorado Boulder
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Offered by
About
Water is important to all of us. Water connects people through place, memory, and community. But in places where water is scarce, like the Western United States, water can also be contentious and divisive. How then do we overcome the challenges associated with increased water scarcity while honoring the diverse perspectives of people who rely on shared water? In this course, you will learn about water and climate in the Western United States and join a community of thousands of learners to gain insight into the major legal, political, and cultural issues that make water so complex in the region.Modules
Course Overview
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2
Videos
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1
Readings
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1
Discussion
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1
Plugin
1
Discussions
- Your Personal Water Story
2
Videos
- Why Study Water in the West
- Important Things to Know About the Course
1
Readings
- So You Want to Learn about Water?
Course Background
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2
Videos
2
Videos
- Geography of the West
- Review of the Water Cycle (with a focus on the Western US)
Assignment: Water Footprint Activity
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1
Readings
1
Readings
- Water Footprint Activity
Optional Readings and Other Resources
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3
Readings
3
Readings
- [OPTIONAL] Atlas of the New West
- [OPTIONAL] Beyond the Hundreth Meridian
- [OPTIONAL] Climatic fluctuations, drought, and flow in the Colorado River Basin
History
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3
Videos
3
Videos
- History and Development of Water in the West
- Native American Tribes and Water
- Water Storage and Delivery Infrastructure
Legal and Political Issues
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3
Videos
3
Videos
- Prior Appropriation
- Interstate Water Conflicts and Agreements
- Environmental Flows and the Endangered Species Act
Module 2 Assessment
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1
Assignment
1
Assignment
- History, Politics, and Culture Quiz
Assignment: Water Footprint Challenge
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1
Assignment
1
Assignment
- Water Footprint Challenge Part 1
Optional Readings and Other Resources
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4
Readings
4
Readings
- [OPTIONAL] Report on the Lands of the Arid Region of the United States
- [OPTIONAL] Colorado River Basin Ten Tribes Partnership Tribal Water Study
- [OPTIONAL] The Emerging Tribal Role in the Colorado River Basin
- [OPTIONAL] Suggestions for further reading
Climate and Water Supply
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6
Videos
6
Videos
- Climate in the Western US and Water Resources
- Water Quality, Aquatic Habitat, and Drinking Water
- Groundwater Resources
- Watershed Impacts
- River and Flash Flooding
- Impacts of Climate Change in the Interior West
Water Demand
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2
Videos
2
Videos
- Water Demand for Agriculture
- Water Demand for Urban Areas
Module 3 Assessment
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1
Assignment
1
Assignment
- Hydrology, Water Demand, and Climate Quiz
Assignment: Water Footprint Challenge
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1
Assignment
1
Assignment
- Water Footprint Challenge Part 2
Optional Readings and Other Resources
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10
Readings
10
Readings
- [OPTIONAL] Assessment of Climate Change in the Southwestern United States
- [OPTIONAL] Climate Change in Colorado: A Synthesis to Support Water Resources Management and Adaptation
- [OPTIONAL] Colorado Climate Change Vulnerability Study
- [OPTIONAL] Water to Supply the Land: Irrigated Agriculture in the Colorado River Basin
- [OPTIONAL] Municipal Deliveries of Colorado River Basin Water
- [OPTIONAL] The twenty-first century Colorado River hot drought and implications for the future
- [OPTIONAL] When is Drought Not a Drought? Drought, Aridification, and the “New Normal”
- [OPTIONAL] Climate Change and the Colorado River: What We Already Know
- [OPTIONAL] New House, New Paradigm: A Model for How to Plan, Build, and Live Water-Smart
- [OPTIONAL] Understanding California’s Groundwater
Overview of the Colorado River Basin
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5
Videos
5
Videos
- Geographic and Physical Overview of the Colorado River Basin
- History of Development of the Colorado River Basin
- Climate and the Colorado River Basin: Past, Present, and Future
- The Colorado River Basin Water Supply and Demand Study
- Physical Attributes of the Colorado River and Experimental Flows in the Grand Canyon
Module 4 Assessment
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1
Assignment
1
Assignment
- Colorado River Basin Quiz
Assignment: Water Footprint Challenge
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1
Assignment
1
Assignment
- Water Footprint Challenge Part 3
Optional Readings and Other Resources
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7
Readings
7
Readings
- [OPTIONAL] Colorado River Basin Water Supply and Demand Study
- [OPTIONAL] The Exploration of the Colorado River and Its Canyons
- [OPTIONAL] Water is For Fighting Over and Other Myths about Water in the West
- [OPTIONAL] Downriver: Into the Future of Water in the West
- [OPTIONAL] Colorado River Drought Contingency Plans
- [OPTIONAL] West wrestles with Colorado River “grand bargain” as changing climate depletes water governed by 1922 compact
- [OPTIONAL] First-ever mandatory water cutbacks will kick in next year along the Colorado River
Controversial and Complex Topics in Western Water
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5
Videos
5
Videos
- A Growing Controversy: Hydraulic Fracturing and Water Supplies
- Understanding Water Quality Impacts: Boulder Creek Case Study
- Science, Management, and Reality: The Story of the California Bay Delta
- Doing More With Less: Water Conservation and New Supplies in Las Vegas
- A Collision of Impacts: The Water-Energy Nexus
Module 5 Assessment
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1
Assignment
1
Assignment
- Controversial and Complex Topics Quiz
Course Conclusion
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1
Videos
1
Videos
- What Does the Future Hold?
Optional Readings and Other Resources
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6
Readings
6
Readings
- [OPTIONAL] EPA's Study of Hydraulic Fracturing and Its Potential Impact on Drinking Water Resources
- [OPTIONAL] The role of precipitation type, intensity, and spatial distribution in source water quality after wildfire
- [OPTIONAL] Sacramento-San Joaquin Delta Historical Ecology Investigation: Exploring Pattern and Process
- [OPTIONAL] Freshwater Use by U.S. Power Plants
- [OPTIONAL] Conservation Oriented Rate Structures
- [OPTIONAL] Third Intake Documentary
Final Assessment
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1
PeerReview
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1
Plugin
1
Peer Review
- Final Assessment
Auto Summary
"Water in the Western United States" is an engaging course designed for those interested in understanding the critical role of water in a region where it is a precious and often contentious resource. This foundational course falls under the domain of Science & Engineering and is offered by Coursera. Participants will delve into the intricacies of water and climate in the Western United States, exploring the significant legal, political, and cultural challenges that arise from water scarcity. The course fosters a community of learners who share a common goal of gaining insights into these complex issues and discovering ways to address them while respecting the diverse perspectives of those reliant on this shared resource. The course spans 1440 minutes, providing an in-depth look at the water-related challenges in the region. It is available through two subscription options: Starter and Professional, catering to a range of learner needs and preferences. Ideal for individuals at the foundational level, this course is perfect for anyone keen on building a comprehensive understanding of water issues in the Western United States, from students and environmental enthusiasts to professionals in related fields. Join this course to become part of a community dedicated to overcoming water scarcity challenges and fostering sustainable solutions.
Eric Gordon
Anne U. Gold