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Drainage basins: hydrology and selected landforms |
" The physical supply of water needs to be linked to the human demand. The effects of abstraction and use of water resources may lead to environmental, economic and social conflicts." WJEC specification |
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see also: Exploring sustainability |
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| Water and development | Large dam projects | United States | United Kingdom | ||||||
World Water Day http://www.worldwaterday.org/ UN 2007 site 'Coping with Water Scarcity' was the theme for World Water Day 2007, which is marked each year on 22 March. http://www.unwater.org/wwd07/flashindex.html
Water scarcity: A looming crisis? The amount of water in the world is finite. The number of us is growing fast and our water use is growing even faster. BBC Planet under pressure series. http://news.bbc.co.uk/1/hi/sci/tech/3747724.stm Map and case studies http://news.bbc.co.uk/1/hi/sci/tech/3754520.stm
World warned on water refugees BBC news story on Tearfund report (with links). http://news.bbc.co.uk/hi/english/sci/tech/newsid_1234000/1234244.stm
Developments DfiD magazine - issue 21 on water. http://www.developments.org.uk/
Solutions for a water-short world 1998 Population reports article. "As populations grow and water use per person rises, demand for freshwater is soaring. Yet the supply of freshwater is finite and threatened by pollution. To avoid a crisis, many countries must conserve water, pollute less, manage supply and demand, and slow population growth." http://www.jhuccp.org/pr/m14edsum.stm
World Water Vision Report on World Water supply and demand 1995 to 2025. http://www.cgiar.org/iwmi/pubs/WWVisn/WWSDHtml.htm Includes projected world scarcity 2025 map. http://www.cgiar.org/iwmi/pubs/WWVisn/WWSDChp1.htm
| WaterAid has become one of the leading international non-governmental organisations in the global drinking water sector and promotes a sustainable approach. http://www.wateraid.org.uk/ Involved in a number of projects. Reports available (eg thirsty cities), development issue sheets and briefing papers (eg a gender approach). |
| Document and research search page: http://www.wateraid.org.uk/uk/what_we_do/policy_and_research/4923.asp |
| Sustainable technologies http://www.wateraid.org.uk/uk/what_we_do/how_we_work/sustainable_technologies/default.asp Integrated projects http://www.wateraid.org.uk/uk/what_we_do/how_we_work/integrated_projects/default.asp |
| The right to water A human rights approach - supported by Water Aid. http://www.righttowater.org.uk/ |
Water Matters 'Make a splash for the world's poor.' A campaign to ensure everyone has access to safe water and adequate sanitation. Initiated by Tearfund and WaterAid, Water Matters petitioned the UK government to put water and sanitation issues high on the agenda at the 2002 World Summit on Sustainable Development. News page. http://www.watermatters.org.uk/
Global Water Partnership GWP has set up several programs to help its partners develop and implement good practices for the sustainable management of their water resources. Global water information system. News and 'water briefs'. Has menu by geographical area. http://www.gwpforum.org/servlet/PSP
World Water Commission Water for the 21st century. http://www.worldwatercommission.org/
Access to safe water exercise from the World Bank. http://www.worldbank.org/depweb/english/modules/environm/water/
WHYCOS Adequate information is essential for wise management of water resources. At the global scale the ability to provide information about the status and trend of water resources is declining. The World Hydrological Cycle Observing System (WHYCOS) has been developed to contribute to this goal. Consists of a number of regional components, each of which is independently implemented and responsive to local needs. Medeterreanean and South African regions currently being implemented. http://www.wmo.ch/web/homs/whycos.html
Hydrology and Water resources programme From the World Meterological Organisation. Projects, documents and organisations. http://www.wmo.ch/web/homs/hwrphome.html
Water Magazine Links from Dr Joel Cayford, a New Zealand city councillor. http://www.watermagazine.com/about.htm
Greenfacts http://www.greenfacts.org/ecosystems/
UN Sustainable Development of Water Resources http://www.un.org/esa/sustdev/sdissues/water/water.htm
WWAP World water assessment programme. http://www.unesco.org/water/wwap/wwdr/index.shtml
UN World water development report http://www.un.org/esa/sustdev/sdissues/water/WWDR-english-129556e.pdf
Water Conservation and use in Agriculture The WCA infoNET information system "...merges high quality information resources and expertise allowing direct access to publications, documents, data, computer programs and discussion groups which provide a knowledge base, support and the necessary global platform for decisions on water conservation and use in agriculture." Can search by subject area. http://www.wca-infonet.org/iptrid/infonet/index.jsp
Water demands and conservation http://www.id21.org/society/r2dm2g1.html
International water management institute http://www.iwmi.cgiar.org/ Water for agriculture theme http://www.iwmi.cgiar.org/agriculture/index.htm
China's Yellow River Decreasing water supplies, increasing demand for water and a rapidly growing economy have added new challenges to a management agenda that has traditionally focused on flood control and irrigation. http://www.id21.org/society/r2mg1g1.html Full report from the Institute of Water Management (48pp pdf document). http://www.iwmi.cgiar.org/Assessment/files/pdf/publications/ResearchReports/CARR3.pdf
Watershed development in India – a tool for the rich or for the poor? Programmes to make better use of land and water resources have been introduced to parts of rural India. These often improve natural resource management, but the extent to which they benefit poor people is less clear. http://www.id21.org/society/r2vr1g1.html Research abstract http://www.cess.ac.in/cesshome/research3b.htm See also http://www.id21.org/society/s2ccp1g1.html
Lessons for Guatemala Watershed development report. http://www.sanrem.uga.edu/sanrem/database/pdf/lessons%20watersheds.pdf
The Nile basin Climate-induced changes in rainfall and river flows undermine traditional methods of water resource management. http://www.id21.org/society/insights53art9.html
People, land and water - Africa and the Middle East 'All of the countries in North Africa and most of those in the Middle East are water stressed - there are little or no additional resources to tap.' Canadian site from the International Development Research Centre. http://network.idrc.ca/en/ev-3313-201-1-DO_TOPIC.html
The Environment Agency is a non-departmental public body established by the Environment Act 1995 (England & Wales only). Took over the functions of the National Rivers Authority and pollution inspection. http://www.environment-agency.gov.uk
For Wales http://www.environment-agency.wales.gov.uk
SEPA, the Scottish Environmental Protection Agency, answers to the Scottish Executive. It was established under the Environment Act 1995 and became fully operational from April 1996. SEPA regulates potential pollution of natural waters and the air and the storage, transportation and disposal of controlled waste and the keeping of radioactive materials. http://www.sepa.org.uk/index.htm
Keilder Water, Northumberland, is Europe's largest artificial lake. It is set within Keilder Forest in the Border country on the River North Tyne. http://www.kielder.org
Water resources of the US A US Geological Survey site. http://water.usgs.gov Water use in the USA: Reports, fact sheets, water science and links to maps. http://water.usgs.gov/watuse/ Monthly streamflow conditions map. http://water.usgs.gov/nwc/ Water watch map links. http://water.usgs.gov/waterwatch/
Water supply and demand in the US Accessible illustrated overview. http://www.epa.gov/seahome/groundwater/src/supply.htm
US National Weather Service Significant river flood outlook Constantly updated. http://aprfc.arh.noaa.gov/maps/fop.html
Tennessee Valley Authority The modern history of river basin management can be traced back to the creation of the TVA in the United States in 1934. http://www.tva.com Also a USGS Tennessee water resources site http://tn.water.usgs.gov/
American Rivers is a conservation organization dedicated to protecting and restoring America's river systems and to fostering a river stewardship ethic. It was founded in 1973 to expand the number of rivers protected by the National Wild and Scenic Rivers System. http://www.americanrivers.org
USA 14-day soil moisture map Liquid water in the top two metres of soil. http://grads.iges.org/pix/soil1.html
USA Water use map 1990 water withdrawls. http://water.usgs.gov/watuse/graphics/wuto.fact.3d.gif
US Dam removals News story 1999. More than 465 dams have been removed across the United States, and the restored rivers produce better fish habitat, yield financial savings, improve public safety and revitalize communities, according to American Rivers, Friends of the Earth and Trout Unlimited. http://ens.lycos.com/ens/dec99/1999L-12-13-01.html
America's Water Supply: Status and Prospects for the Future Journal article by Dr Kenneth D Frederick, an economist and senior fellow at Resources for the Future in Washington, an independent organization that conducts research on the development, conservation, and use of natural resources and the quality of the environment. http://www.gcrio.org/CONSEQUENCES/spring95/Water.html
AmeriStat for US population statistics. http://www.prb.org/AmeristatTemplate.cfm State by state population projections. http://www.census.gov/population/projections/state/stpjpop.txt Population growth in cities. US migration patterns.
Colorado links last checked Jan 2008
| The Colorado is often described as the most controversial river in the United States. It provides 25 million people with drinking water and also enough water to keep 3.5 million acres of farmland in production. Other uses include industrial, recreational, and electric power generation. The river is highly regulated with 83 reservoirs in the upper basin and 10 reservoirs in the lower basin. | |
| Starting points | |
| Introductory powerpoint show from SLN | http://www.sln.org.uk/geography/TOPS/Colorado.ppt |
| Colorado basin map | http://geochange.er.usgs.gov/sw/changes/natural/codrought/fig_1.gif Main US basins |
| Colorado droughtwatch | http://www.livingrivers.org/campaigns/drought/map.cfm |
| Drought index graphs | http://www.drought.unl.edu/whatis/palmer/riverbasin.htm |
| River management: Damming the Colorado | http://www.think-energy.co.uk/ThinkEnergy/16-18/case-studies/case-study-6.aspx |
| Glen Canyon Dam, Arizona. | http://walrus.wr.usgs.gov/grandcan/dam.html Why Glen Canyon was built Dam facts |
| American rivers Why Colorado is most endangered river in US | http://www.americanrivers.org/site/News2?page=NewsArticle&id=6699 |
| End of Lake Powell campaign - warns of collapse of Colorado plumbing system. | http://www.livingrivers.org/campaigns/drought/index.cfm http://www.livingrivers.org/campaigns/drought/facts3.cfm |
| River Law - list of agreements and dates | http://www.usbr.gov/lc/region/g1000/lawofrvr.html |
| New river management strategy agreed December 2007 | http://www.doi.gov/news/07_News_Releases/071213.html |
| More detailed | |
| Grand Canyon National Park Colorado River Management Plan 2005 | http://www.nps.gov/archive/grca/crmp/ |
| Colorado River management resources | http://wwa.colorado.edu/resources/colorado_river/management_use.html |
| Colorado River Management Plan the plea for wilderness status | http://www.azwild.org/resources/factsheet_crmp.php |
| Colorado River Programs and Projects (govt site) | http://www.doi.gov/issues/colorado.html |
| Colorado Basin river forecast centre - river conditions interactive map. | http://www.cbrfc.noaa.gov/ |
| California Nevada River Forecast Center | http://www.cnrfc.noaa.gov/ |
| National Stream Quality Accounting Network : Colorado River | http://water.usgs.gov/nasqan/progdocs/factsheets/clrdfact/clrdfact.html |
| Colorado River Basin interstate compacts | http://waterknowledge.colostate.edu/int_comp.htm |
| Controlled flooding - the rationale | http://water.usgs.gov/pubs/FS/FS-089-96/ |
| Controlled flooding - Can it restore habitats? | http://walrus.wr.usgs.gov/grandcan/flood.html |
| Colorado River Water Users Association (interactive maps) | http://www.crwua.org/coloradoriver/riveruses/index.cfm?action=overview |
| Glen Canyon pre flooding photos | http://www.lib.utah.edu/spc/photo/crampton/crampton2.htm |
| Lower Colorado photos (Hoover dam) | http://www.usbr.gov/lc/region/g1000/photolab.html |
| Glen Canyon environmental report 1995 (huge). New report underway. | http://www.usbr.gov/uc/envdocs/eis/gc/gcdOpsFEIS.html |
| Water and drought management plans for the Lower Colorado River Authority (article) | http://www.ce.utexas.edu/prof/maidment/grad/kaough/webpage/public_html/term385/385rep2.html |
| Clean Colorado River Alliance | http://www.azdeq.gov/environ/water/ccra.html |
| Colorado Water Science Center (USGS) | http://webserver.cr.usgs.gov |
| Colorado Drought Watch (current) | http://webserver.cr.usgs.gov/drought/index.html |
| Arizona Water Science Center (USGS) | http://az.water.usgs.gov/ |
| Hydro conditions in Arizona 1999 to 2004 factsheet (USGS) | http://pubs.usgs.gov/fs/2005/3081/ |
| US precipation patterns (maps) | http://www.cdc.noaa.gov/Drought/ |
| National drought centre (more maps) | http://www.drought.unl.edu/index.htm |
| Drought conditions Arizona maps (USGS) | http://az.water.usgs.gov/drought/index.html |
| Upper Colorado fish habitats research | http://www.colorado.edu/geography/geomorph/usfws.html |
| Colorado links last checked Jan 2008 | |
The Florida Everglades was once a free-flowing river of grass that provided clean water from Lake Okeechobee to Florida Bay. It was a haven for storks, alligators, panthers and other wildlife. With the arrival of people came the desire to manage the water. The Central and Southern Florida Project was authorized in 1948 to provide flood protection and fresh water to south Florida. This project accomplished its intended purpose but at a tremendous ecological cost to the Everglades. While the population of people has risen from 500,000 in the 1900's to more than 6 million today, the number of native birds and other wildlife have dwindled. South Florida Information Access for the background and current water resource issues. http://sofia.usgs.gov/ Plan to rescue the Everglades under the Water Resources Development Act 2000. http://www.evergladesplan.org/ Learning module http://www.cotf.edu/ete/modules/everglades/FEmain.html
Chesapeake An ecosystem adversely affected by a combination of nutrient enrichment, toxic substances, sediment, and overharvesting of shellfish and finfish. Find out about the USGS activities in the region. http://chesapeake.usgs.gov/
About Rivers and Dams The International Rivers Network is a group campaigning against very large dam schemes. The site provides details of dams, river planning strategies and the environmental impacts of dam schemes. http://www.irn.org/basics/ard/
Narmada dams project, India Controversies surrounding dam projects in developing countries have grown in the last twenty years (environmental destruction and high price tags). The construction of large dams on the River Narmada in central India and its impact on millions of people living in the river valley has become one of the most important social issues in contemporary India. Through this website, the Save the Narmada Movement hope to present the perspective of grassroots peoples' organisations on the issue. http://www.narmada.org
Xingu - Threat from dam development Indigenous and environmentalist organisations protested against the construction of Kararaô hydroelectric plant in the late 1980s. Now, in the wake of Brazil's electrical supply crisis, Eletronorte has returned with a plan to build a hydroelectric plant in the same region (Belo Monte). Article by Rodolfo Salm. http://www.amazonia.org.br/english/noticias/noticia.cfm?id=9290
Kariba Dam project, Zambia Case study and virtual field trip from Bized. http://www.bized.ac.uk/virtual/dc/aid/kariba/issue1.htm
