Chapter 14 CONJUNCTIVE MANAGEMENT OF HYDROLOGICALLY CONNECTED SURFACE WATER AND GROUND WATER: THE PROBLEMOF SUSTAINABLE USE

摘要

Thirty-five years ago, the National Water Commission reported that Arizona, Colorado, and New Mexico were grappling with heavy ground water use that reduced stream flows and interfered with much earlier surface water appropriations. The problem has now spread to other western states. It has also broadened beyond the initial focus on interference with earlier appropriations to include environmental concerns about interference with instream flow values not always protected by formal water rights and impairment of ecosystems dependent on high ground water levels. Meanwhile, Arizona, Colorado, and New Mexico have continued to grapple with the problem and change their approaches.