Dammed: Birth to Death of the Colorado River

"While the Colorado River may be the poster child for poor water-management practices, overuse, and the effects of aridification, it is hardly the only river at risk in the US, and indeed the world. Sustainability is key. And for our endangered rivers to be sustainable, despite existing dams and diversions, we must all be willing to learn, be aware, and accept that we are responsible for our own water use."

—Debbie Bentley

The main stem of the Colorado River flows from the Colorado Rocky Mountains to the Mexico border. And while it provides water for almost 40 million people and irrigates 5.5 million acres of farmland throughout the American West, it is also one of the most over-allocated, highly controlled, and endangered rivers. Through extensive research of the historical as well as current day contextual factors and implications, I sought to present a comprehensive documentation of the river, its 16 dams, the reservoirs, and people in its path in my new book, Dammed: Birth and Death of the Colorado River. 

I began this project while working on a series exploring the Salton Sea, the largest lake in California.  The Sea was formed in the early 20th century during a failed attempt to cut into the Colorado River for irrigation, sending the entire flow into the Salton Sink for two years. The lake's water level has been diminishing for decades, due to decreased inflows and evaporation.  As a result, the exposed lakebed releases high levels of toxic dust, causing devastating effects to bio and eco systems, as well as residents of the area.

For the Dammed project, I followed the 1,450 miles of the river's main stem and through my photographs, infographics, and historical background, I presented a project that invites readers to gain knowledge on the reverberations of climate change and overallocation of the Colorado River basin. My insightful writing interspersed throughout the book sections, provides depth on the geography, historical decisions on diversion and allocation, and current day realities.