Groundwater in the Intermountain West: An Essential Resource

摘要

THE INTERMOUNTAIN WEST has principally an arid climate due to its geography away fr om the coasts and internal to the North American continent. The prolific mountainous areas including those in the Great Basin, provide for orographic precipitation and a precious annual snowpack that promotes watershed infiltration and storage. History of Water in the West. Historically, the West was populated by nomadic Native Americans who lived where adequate water and food was pr esent. As the western United States was set tled by emigrating Europeans and eastern-originating Americans during the 19th and early 20th centuries, the communities developed where a sufficient water supply was found. Most of t he communities throughout this area have their beginnings near a surface water source that could be developed and d iverted for domestic and irrigation uses. Canals and d itches were constructed to provide water to these newly established communities and settlements.