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SALINITY ISSUES AND WATER DEVELOPMENT IN THE GREEN RIVER BASIN, WYOMING 1
Author(s) -
Cooke Steven D.,
Ahem John
Publication year - 1985
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.1752-1688.1985.tb00131.x
Subject(s) - interbasin transfer , hydrology (agriculture) , drainage basin , salinity , environmental science , structural basin , water quality , downstream (manufacturing) , water resource management , geology , geography , oceanography , ecology , geomorphology , operations management , geotechnical engineering , cartography , economics , biology
Water development in the Green River Basin of Wyoming is projected to increase salinity downstream in the Green River and Colorado River, and thereby increase salinity costs to users of water from these two rivers. Despite these water quality and economic impacts to downstream water users, Wyoming will probably be able to develop its currently unused but allocated water supplies of the Green River Basin. The Colorado River Compact and Upper Colorado River Basin Compact are binding, and protect Wyoming's share of the Colorado River System waters for future use. The argument that water may be used to greater profit downstream is not sufficient to reduce Wyoming's allocation. In addition, the no‐injury rule under the appropriation doctrine of law does not appear to protect prior downstream appropriations from increasing salinity in this case.