Discussion 1 Assignment – Colorado River:
A. DRAW a picture of the Colorado River watershed, including the major rivers, major infrastructure (dams, canals), and state boundaries. Include a depiction of how water is allocated under the Colorado River Compact to each of the major water users (e.g. graph, pie-chart, table, or other quantitative visual). Be sure your drawing is accurate with respect to features and legible.
This does not have to be a work of art, but it does need to be legible and correct. Be sure to write your full name on the bottom of your drawing. Upload a photo of your drawing as part of the assignment submission.
B. ANSWER the following questions in your own words. Be sure to cite sources for your facts and information, using the referencing format in the attached document. Upload a Word document or pdf of your answers and references as part of the assignment submission.
1. How much water have each of the water users in your drawing actually been getting on average prior to 2000? How much water have they each received on average over the last 2 decades (2000-2025)? Explain why this is the case for each time period. Be sure to cite your sources.
2. All the water users agree that cuts to water allocations must be "equitable". But the upper basin users have a different perspective on what is equitable than the lower basin users. Explain how these two groups differ in their views (currently). How does each group suggest cuts to water allocations should occur? How does each group argue that the other group's suggestion isn't equitable? Be detailed in your explanation and cite your sources.
3. The states have until 2026 to negotiate updated water allocations. In your opinion, is collaboration possible between the states or should the federal government step in? Justify your opinion with reason, logic, and factual information you've learned from lectures, readings, and your study of this topic. Be sure to cite your sources.
How to Reference Sources and Citations for Discussion Assignments using APA format
Note: google scholar shows how to cite any article listed using APA format – click the “ Cite link below the article.
In Class Lectures:
In text: (Yarnell, Lecture Date)
In reference list: Yarnell, April 2 2025, “California Geology”. Gel 35 Lecture.
Book or Journal sources:
In text: (Lastname, Year)
In reference list: APA format. Examples:
Lastname, F.M. (year). Title of Book. Publisher. Location of Publisher (if applicable).
Lastname, F. M., & Lastname2, F. M. (year). Title of Journal Article. Full Journal Title, VOL(Index), pp-pp. http://doi.org/10.xxx/XXXXXX
Websites/Electronic sources:
In text: (Lastname/Group name, Date)
In reference list: APA format. Examples:
Lastname, F. M. (Year, Month Date). Title of page. Site Name. URL
Group name. (Year, Month Date). Title of page. Site Name. URL
If no author, then use:
(Title, Date)
Title of page. (Year, Month Date). Site Name. Retrieved Month Date, Year, from URL