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WATER‐ENERGY CONFLICTS IN MONTANA'S YELLOWSTONE RIVER BASIN 1
Author(s) -
Thomas J. L.,
Anderson R. L.
Publication year - 1976
Publication title -
jawra journal of the american water resources association
Language(s) - English
Resource type - Journals
SCImago Journal Rank - 0.957
H-Index - 105
eISSN - 1752-1688
pISSN - 1093-474X
DOI - 10.1111/j.1752-1688.1976.tb02749.x
Subject(s) - coal , water quality , competition (biology) , environmental science , agriculture , environmental protection , water resource management , geography , ecology , archaeology , biology
The abundant, high‐quality waters of the Yellowstone River Basin have fostered a strong agricultural‐based economy in eastern Montana. The region also contains the nation's largest strippable coal reserves. Numerous conflicts have developed around the mining of coal and in‐state conversion of coal into electricity and synthetic fuels – processes that require large volumes of water. Competition for water among industrialists, agriculturalists, and others is a critical state issue. Probable effects of increased water diversions, the nature of water‐energy conflicts, and state efforts to control development are discussed.