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The Colorado River: A Natural and Human History

Juan Rulfo

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The Colorado River is one of the most important rivers in the United States. It provides water for millions of people and irrigates millions of acres of farmland. The river has also played a major role in the history of the American West.

River Notes: A Natural and Human History of the Colorado

by Wade Davis

4.3 out of 5

Language	:	English
File size	:	2793 KB
Text-to-Speech	:	Enabled
Screen Reader	:	Supported
Enhanced typesetting	:	Enabled
Print length	:	176 pages

Natural History

The Colorado River begins in the Rocky Mountains of Colorado. It flows through Utah, Arizona, Nevada, California, and Mexico before emptying into the Gulf of California. The river is about 1,450 miles long and has a drainage basin of about 240,000 square miles.

The Colorado River is a major source of water for the southwestern United States. The river provides water for drinking, irrigation, and hydropower. The river also supports a variety of fish and wildlife.

The Colorado River has a long and complex geologic history. The river's course has changed many times over the centuries. The river's current course was formed about 6 million years ago.

Human History

The Colorado River has been a vital resource for humans for thousands of years. The first people to live in the Colorado River Basin were the Paleo-Indians. These people lived in the region from about 12,000 BC to 500 BC.

The Anasazi people were the first people to build permanent settlements in the Colorado River Basin. The Anasazi lived in the region from about 500 BC to 1300 AD. The Anasazi were farmers and built complex irrigation systems.

The Spanish were the first Europeans to explore the Colorado River. Francisco Vásquez de Coronado led an expedition into the Colorado River Basin in 1540. The Spanish were followed by the Mexicans. The Mexicans controlled the Colorado River Basin from 1821 to 1848.

The United States acquired the Colorado River Basin as part of the Mexican-American War in 1848. The United States began to develop the Colorado River Basin in the late 19th century. The first major dam on the Colorado River was built in 1906.

The development of the Colorado River has had a major impact on the river's ecology. The construction of dams has altered the river's flow and has led to the decline of some fish and wildlife species.

The Colorado River is a vital resource for the southwestern United States. The river provides water for millions of people and irrigates millions of acres of farmland. The river has also played a major role in the history of the American West.

The Colorado River is a complex and dynamic system. The river's natural and human history are intertwined. The river's future will be shaped by the decisions that we make today.

The Colorado River River Notes: A Natural And Human History Of The Colorado

References

Cullen, David E. _The Colorado River: A Historical Geography_. University of Utah Press, 2004.
National Park Service. _Colorado River Natural History_. https://www.nps.gov/grca/naturescience/colorado-river-natural-history.htm
U.S. Bureau of Reclamation. _Colorado River Basin_. https://www.usbr.gov/lc/region/colorado/

River Notes: A Natural and Human History of the Colorado

by Wade Davis

4.3 out of 5