Report on the Climate of Colorado and Utah, With Particular Reference to Questions of Irrigation and Water Storage in the Arid Region, 1891 (Classic Reprint) - Softcover

Adolphus Washington Greely

 
9780332263984: Report on the Climate of Colorado and Utah, With Particular Reference to Questions of Irrigation and Water Storage in the Arid Region, 1891 (Classic Reprint)

Synopsis

This book, part of a report to the US House of Representatives in 1891, contextualizes the development of the arid regions of the United States, particularly in relation to the need for water storage and irrigation projects. The author, an experienced military surveyor, provides a comprehensive overview of the rainfall patterns and evaporation rates of six arid region states (Arizona, California, Colorado, Nevada, New Mexico, and Utah). He argues that the arid regions cannot be treated as a single entity when considering water needs and availability, as local weather patterns and evaporation are dependent on unique geographical features, such as mountains and proximity to the ocean. The book argues that irrigation is only possible and advisable with an understanding of how local rainfall patterns, evaporation rates, humidity, and soil conditions all impact water storage and agricultural planning. The author emphasizes that a one-size-fits-all approach to water storage and irrigation projects would be ineffective for the arid regions, and any attempts should consider local conditions. Moreover, the author highlights that water storage projects should prioritize gathering rainfall in the wet season, when more water is present, to increase the effectiveness of irrigation projects that see a higher demand for water during dry seasons. The author concludes that while irrigation is an important means of increasing the agricultural output of arid regions and thereby its economic development, it must be implemented with knowledge of the local climate and weather patterns and with close attention to the implications that water storage and irrigation will have on the local environment.

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