The Book Of Water Volume One: Supply And Demand Concepts 4h1d29

Copyright 2013 M. Waldron Rozman

ISBN: 9781483510231

Potential mitigation for floods and droughts on our planet!

When the Interstate Highway System was first proposed, there were many pros and cons, proponents and opponents. Fifty to 60 years later, how would we ever get along without it? The Interstate System is still a work in progress. The same goes for the national electrical grids. They are continually being expanded, maintained and repaired, 100 years or so later.

What I propose is very similar.

On the following pages, I will attempt to outline my ideas for the future of this nation of ours, and other nations as well, in of some of the issues surrounding water.

I will explore these issues in of:

History of water issues

Flooding - former and ancient methods

Droughts - former and ancient occurrences

Present day water issues

Possible future water issues

TABLE OF CONTENTS

INTRODUCTION

CHAPTER ONE

HISTORY OF WATER ISSUES

CHAPTER TWO

PRESENT DAY WATER ISSUES

CHAPTER THREE

POSSIBLE FUTURE WATER ISSUES

CHAPTER FOUR

PIPELINES

CHAPTER FIVE

WATERWAYS AND IMPOUNDMENTS

CHAPTER SIX

WHO GETS THE WATER?

CHAPTER SEVEN

EFFECTS ON CURRENT WATER LAW

CHAPTER EIGHT

EFFECTS ON CURRENT WATER RIGHTS

CHAPTER NINE

FEDERAL GOVERNMENT

CHAPTER TEN

STATE GOVERNMENT

CHAPTER ELEVEN

LOCAL GOVERNMENTS

CHAPTER TWELVE

OTHER REGULATORY AGENCIES

CHAPTER THIRTEEN

PRIVATE SECTOR

CHAPTER FOURTEEN

STUDIES

CHAPTER FIFTEEN

URGENCY

CHAPTER SIXTEEN

COMMITMENT

CHAPTER SEVENTEEN

UNINTENDED CONSEQUENCES

CHAPTER EIGHTEEN

HISTORICAL PERSPECTIVES

CHAPTER NINETEEN

AMERICANS WORKING FOR AMERICA

CHAPTER TWENTY

EMERGING TECHNOLOGIES

CHAPTER TWENTYONE

NATIONAL WATER POLICY

Special thanks to my Wife, Karen, my friend and Editor, Jessica and friends and family who ed me in this endeavor.

Introduction

FLOODING AND DROUGHTS

Since time immemorial, floods have been an integral part of nature. The deposit of alluvial silts and soils has always replenished the nutrients in the river basins where seasonal flooding occurs. These are not the only types of floods.

Other types of floods include tropical storms and hurricanes. Besides high winds and flying debris, torrential rain can cause flooding long distances from the coastal zones of hurricane and tropical storm landfall. Often enough, these rainfall totals exceed 10 inches in one region or locality. The property damage is immense, let alone personal injury and loss of life.

The annual spring thaw in the Northern regions of the United States is a multifaceted event. When the ground itself is still frozen, melting snow on top cannot seep into the ground and be absorbed. It will either remain in low-lying areas or flow towards them. By the time the ground does thaw, the snowpack has mostly melted already, releasing a gallon of water per cubic foot of compacted snow, although that is just an estimate which can vary greatly. This snowmelt goes downhill, downstream or into low-lying areas that are natural water collectors and have been forever.

Beyond the spring thaw, spring storms also need to be taken into . These storms often bring heavy rain or snowfall that will not absorb into the already saturated or still frozen ground. This water too, for the most part, will flow where it always has, regardless of human development. There are exceptions and these will be discussed.

Heavy rains are another cause of flooding, and they can occur virtually anywhere in the country. Certain regions experience consistent heavy rains year after year, while in other regions, heavy rains are more of an anomaly. The Northwest is especially vulnerable to heavy rains from Pacific Ocean currents that bring massive storms from Alaska, which experiences its own massive storms from the open ocean.

Nor’easter storms impact the Northeastern coast of the United States, mainly the New England states, but sometimes reaching into the Mid-Atlantic states. Here, excessive amounts of rain can occur at almost any time of the year.

The West Coast rainy season picks up, more or less, when the hurricane season ends and usually runs into April. Increased chances for localized flooding and flash floods can bring a “wall” or a suddenly violent torrent of water to a normally or previously dry area. The Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) refers to flash floods as the number one weather-related killer of humans. They can cause boulders, trees, buildings and even dams to become undermined and transported downhill or downstream, becoming projectiles towards anything in their path. A poignant example of this is the Big Thompson Flood in the 1970’s which took a huge toll in of loss of life and property damage. Some of the contributing factors to that disaster were natural, like heavy rains and steep mountain slopes, and some were manmade, like dams and inhabited, narrow canyons. Much was learned in the ensuing years and that tragic event in itself is worthy of study and thought from everyone.

Development creates flooding hazards by changing natural water courses and incorporating asphalt and concrete which prevent the absorption of large amounts of rain from storms of any variety.

Flooding in the United States has always been a double-edged sword. On one

side is the tragic loss of life and the property damage, while on the other edge is renewed life and sustainability for tidal and river basins throughout every region of our country. These are some of the more modern aspects of flooding.

In ancient times, flooding and all the elements it affects, such as food, transportation, and shelter, were probably addressed in more sustainable ways. Long-term, people simply didn’t live in flood-prone areas without knowing the risks and how to avoid some of them. With the exception of levees and dams, a minimal amount of only obligatory technological resources have gone into flood control in the United States in recent history.

Floods are an excessive amount of water, but let’s examine the other side of the coin: deficient amounts of water, drought, dust bowls, and desertification. Parched animal bones in the desert. The gritty taste of a dust storm. Withered crops in a field. These types of conditions exist all over the planet, including the United States.

Droughts are relative in nature and regionally specific. A drought in a rain forest environment may be only a week or two without rain. A drought in a desert or arid region may be considered a year with only a centimeter of precipitation. Historically speaking, droughts have most severely impacted the agricultural industry, mainly farmers and ranchers. Then, indirectly, the livelihoods of everyone with a connection to agriculture are also affected, like people who eat food!

As soon as there is any precipitation, most worries of drought are quickly forgotten or minimized. This is one of the most damaging aspects of drought. This is why, in most regions that experience drought conditions, people have basically ignored the effects of droughts. Perhaps one analogy would be trying to casually watch or even measure the growth of slow-growing plants like cacti. It’s not as slow as geological time of course, but definitely not as fast as a 24 hour day.

Historical weather patterns have not played much of a role in drought mitigation until fairly recently. Until the last few decades, long-term weather patterns didn’t exist in the minds of scientists. If you can’t change or impact it, why spend time studying it? If it’s so slow to change, it may take generations to get a “big picture” of the situation. Throw into this mix the vagaries of changes from season to season and the immediate usefulness of this type of data is questionable to some people.

Water, as it relates to human impact from floods and droughts, has only recently been given the attention it deserves from us. In the following chapters I will discuss and highlight current assessments of these intertwined, naturally occurring events and try to draw some new conclusions. The complex web of human existence on this planet of ours compels us to move forward constantly in the pursuit of understanding and the eventual implementation of technological advances to sustain and improve our ability to thrive. Similar to advances in agriculture, medicine, energy, transportation and communication, advances in mitigating the devastating effects of floods and droughts are due now. Now is the time to begin.

In the summer of 1975, while on a conservation mission in the Canyonlands National Park in Utah with the Student Conservation Association (SCA), I was in awe gazing upon a region once covered by hundreds of feet of water that had become so barren and dry. To see the ruins of a civilization that was decimated by long-term drought was and still is profound. I realized then that a drought of this magnitude could have the same effect on our civilization. Our guide Jean, knew more about that wonderfully eerie place than even the park rangers. He guided us to old uranium sites that we razed and burned, then buried, removing most visible sign of the environmental damage that was left behind when the hardrock miners moved on. Their old shacks looked like they had just left, but it had been 20-30 years ago. Mountains of bean cans, a shirt on a nail on the wall. Dishes still sitting on a rough-hewn table waiting for someone that never returned. Unexploded dynamite that was very unstable, left untouched. Mine shafts that were filled in to prevent tourists from entering a hazardous area.

Then, two weeks of cross-country backpacking through the park and surrounding BLM lands. Petroglyphs and pictographs, now referred to as rock art or to some as pistolgrips! Granaries with tiny, 4” long ears of cultivated, semi-petrified corn atop a perfect cone of dust that was once grain of some sort, maybe. Ceremonial and everyday pottery and shards of same. Speartips and other tools. And that eerie feeling you were being watched! For the people who have travelled some of that backcountry, you may know the feeling I speak of. I left there with a profound, inspired understanding of water and of drought. Water carved all of those canyons, arches and needles. Water gave life to every plant and animal, including humans, for eons. Then drought took it away. That’s what may be happening again. Long term drought.

In the summer of 1976, I experienced a major flood. I was in Estes Park, Colorado on another conservation mission with the SCA and I fell in love with the area, so I decided to stay for a while. On July 31st, 1976 is when the Big Thompson Flood occurred. Over 12” of rain in 4 hours fell in a very localized area due to a stalled system over the mountains there. I have never seen it rain that hard since but some recent storms this year (2013), have come close. The Big Thompson Flood killed 144 people, washed out Hwy 34 and destroyed hundreds of homes, vehicles and businesses. Does this sound familiar? It should. This year saw the floods in Colorado claimed less lives, thankfully, but property, environmental and road damage on a much broader scale. Similar problems 37 years later. The destruction from floods happens quickly, while the destruction from droughts is insidiously slow. Nonetheless, destruction is destruction. Now we have the technology to mitigate both of these destructive forces. Please read on…

CHAPTER ONE

Today’s headline reads: Aquifer may get sewage effluent. Can you spell Hepatitis? Apparently the water shortage has degraded to the point of pumping sewage water underground, only to be pumped back to the surface and called “potable”. It is inconceivable to think that all diseases, viruses, bacteria, hormones, and even caffeine can be filtered before that water reaches your home. Some areas or regions of the country have naturally occurring contaminants in the water. For example, uranium and arsenic are present here in southern New Mexico. But, intentionally pumping partially treated human wastewater back into the aquifer sure seems like a desperate measure to me.

Let’s begin with historical issues surrounding water—the most dramatic and sudden of which is flooding. Large floods resulting from hurricanes, heavy rainfall, and sudden snowmelt have rendered previously inhabited land uninhabitable. On the East Coast, constant flooding year after year has caused the loss of livestock and the destruction of crops. Every region of the country has experienced flooding at one time or another. From a slow inundation of lowlying agricultural or developed land to a sudden and violent flash flood normally reserved for the Western and Southwestern regions of the United States. Historically, people on this planet avoided permanent establishments, farms, and ranches on flood-prone lands. High ground was much safer.

On the East Coast, for example, there is a place called False Cape State Park in southern Virginia. Historically, this was an area of farming communities with a fairly large livestock population. Over time and after several hurricanes, the livestock escaped and the people living there, realizing that more severe storms were likely in the future, abandoned the area. The hogs stayed. They learned how to adapt to the flooding and thrived to the point of becoming a major nuisance. These types of flood events are completely uncontrollable, obviously.

The southern states that regularly endure the immediate and secondary flooding associated with hurricanes and tropical storms more or less accept that it “comes with the territory.” The New England states have recently endured some really wicked flooding. The Midwestern states consistently get pounded with flooding from Texas to Minnesota and the Dakotas. The Pacific Northwest may get the most consistent rainfall and subsequent flooding, historically speaking. It is safe to say that almost every location in America is affected with flooding at one point or another; the regions that consistently face drought conditions being the exception. And then there are some locales affected by both flooding and droughts. Ouch!

Flood damage is expensive. It consistently costs billions of dollars annually, and that’s not counting the immeasurable cost of loss of life. Now, I’m not saying very much flooding is preventable, but we can mitigate this to some extent and, in some cases, we do just that. There are many local, state and federal agencies whose work has saved countless lives and untold property from flooding.

Like flooding, drought damage runs into the billions of dollars also. Although the negative impact of drought might at first glance seem much less severe, it is anything but that. Only now are the impacts of drought conditions being felt worldwide. The trickle-down effect of drought condition impacts everyone. Everyone. Consider the rising cost of beef. Increased feed costs lead to decreased herds, which drives up the cost per pound in supermarkets. This affects all but vegetarians, and that is only one secondary effect of drought. If one were to consider the multitude of other secondary effects that touch most everyone, we are only getting started on the anticipated and unanticipated consequences of the drought conditions that continue to plague us.

When we can break free from the failed solutions of the past, we will be able to work towards possible solutions for the future. I, personally, have never claimed to be an engineer, scientist, or hydrologist at all. That being said, all I hope to do by writing this is to propose some different ideas to the age-old problem of water excess and water shortage—all in the same breath, so to speak. I honestly

believe that there is a connection to be made between floods and droughts that needs to be discussed at all levels of government—local, state, and federal—and in the private sector also. I firmly believe that if we, as a nation, keep slicing the same “water pie” into smaller and smaller slices and that we are only chasing our own tails, figuratively speaking. That is only the “drought side” of the equation. When we Americans begin to address water issues combined, hopefully we will find solutions for both floods and droughts.

CHAPTER TWO

PRESENT DAY ISSUES

In this chapter I would like to discuss the connections between floods, droughts, wild land fires and some of the costs associated with these disasters.

The cycle seems to be going something like this: First, prolonged, extreme drought conditions weaken a large majority of the trees in the forest. Next, an infestation of opportunistic parasites occurs, killing virtually millions of acres of forest. Next, a catastrophic wildfire, of either natural or human origin, burns most standing fuel. Most downed fuel loads and, in the most severely burned areas, also scorches the “living layer” of earth, killing many of the subsurface organisms. If or when a substantial amount of rainfall occurs following the fires, flooding occurs because there is no vegetation to absorb the precipitation. A heavy rain can also cause dead trees, burnt or not, to wash downslope and form dams which flood some areas with the backed up water. This is most common in the western states with steep, forested slopes. If washed into streams, the ash from these types of fires can be deadly to aquatic life.

The costs associated with flooding and drought conditions are astronomical, even when limiting these costs to the effects of wild land fires, loss of life, property damage, firefighting, and mitigation. This affects local and state economies in the form of disaster relief expenses, lost revenues to businesses, and declining tourism, to name just a few examples. Insurance claim adjustments cost insurance companies untold amounts of money every year. There are also substantial losses that may not be covered by insurance policies.

And on top of all this, just consider the long and short term environmental

losses. That forest will not be able to feed and shelter all of the wildlife that used to live there. The creatures are now displaced to where? Nearby usually.

CHAPTER THREE

POSSIBLE FUTURE WATER ISSUES

The most important future issue is already with us: climate change. Here in southern New Mexico, the hardiness zone for plants was recently changed to reflect the abnormally cold weather that has affected this area during the last few winters. These conditions caught a lot of people off guard with frozen pipes, power outages, and other inconveniences.

Although the jury still seems to be out on the causes of climate change, most people seem to believe it’s real enough. Some of the signature characteristics seem to be radical temperature swings and excessive flooding and drought conditions in regions not normally associated with these types of weather patterns. The prolonged and increasingly severe drought conditions here in the Southwest seem to demand responses that would normally seem outlandish or even impractical. We’re talking thinking that is completely “out of the box.”

The so called “water pie,” meaning the amount of water available for agricultural, residential, and environmental needs, is quickly getting smaller. There is less and less water for a continually growing demand. When there is a smaller supply and a greater demand, no one entity is going to get their full allotment anymore in the future. With the current growth projections for the populations in the West and Southwest, there will be an increasing demand for a smaller slice of the “water pie.”

Besides climate change, political change is another major factor in the mix now. Environmentally-oriented political will is greater now than ever in history. As far as I’m concerned, that’s a really good thing!

With that in mind, I believe the environment deserves the lion’s share of any improvements in the water supply in the arid, drought prone areas of the United States. The environment seems to have borne the brunt of the prolonged drought. The rest of the water s seem to have gotten their allotment or a portion thereof, while the environmental aspects of current water law, more or less, have taken a backseat to agricultural and developmental concerns. Is the political will present to demand an increase in water conservation? Probably so. Is the will there now to tolerate a major increase in water rates, above a minimal amount of water per household or per acre of irrigated land? Maybe or maybe not. Ready or not, here it comes. Metered wells? Check. Mandatory non-watering days? Check. Dry riverbeds? Check. Higher than normal concentrations of contaminants in rivers, lakes, and tap water? Check. Pumping down the aquifers means, among other things, that when water flows again, it will take longer to recharge the aquifers.

Another aspect of future water issues is the economic changes that will no doubt impact people and businesses, not only in affected areas, but also indirectly across our country and other countries as well. Whether these changes and impacts are positive or negative, or more likely a combination of both is hard to say. One thing is for sure, the total of time and money involved in water issues is nearly impossible to quantify. But I’ll try.

Thousands and thousands of careers, billions and billions of dollars, and it’s all been a century or so in the making. Something I feel the need to occasionally repeat are the facts, opinions and research done by the thousands of people involved in water issues nationwide. I could spend literally several lifetimes studying water issues because they are so complex. But I don’t think we can wait any longer. So, let’s continue.

CHAPTER FOUR

PIPELINES

I propose pipelines for flood mitigation. Pipelines could possibly mitigate loss of life and property across the flood-prone areas. Pipelines constructed at or above the historically high water locations across the United States. Pipelines in the consistently flooded lowlands inundated from tropical storms and hurricanes. A network of pipelines, perhaps like the Interstate Highway System, between states. Perhaps, a network of pipelines resembling the veins in a leaf. Pipelines to prevent the inundation and destruction of acres and acres of farmland, and block after block of residential and commercial buildings. Pipelines to moderate the seasonal flooding that afflicts so much of the United States. Pipelines to reduce, but probably not eliminate, federal, state and local flood damage assistance.

How often do areas of the upper and lower Mississippi River flood? How about the Missouri River drainages? Consider also the Ohio River and its tributaries. Also, western Oregon and western Washington state? Southeast Texas? Gulf Coast? East Coast? All river drainages as far as that is concerned. First things first. Water from the most immediate and recently significant flood zones to the most immediate and exceptional drought zones.

The pipeline intakes will vary in type and size according to application and anticipated volume. This will be an excellent opportunity for engineering professors and students to develop new, more efficient technologies to execute the transfer from the body of water to the pipeline. Should they be permanent and fixed or should they be portable and mobile? How big of a pump will be required? How far apart? Can the intakes be partially solar-powered? Maybe on a sunny day!

The other half of the pipeline equation is pipelines for drought mitigation. Drought regions of the United States that are considered exceptional and extreme would seem to be the most logical places to start pumping in the former floodwater. Should the water go to rivers? What about existing reservoirs or other impoundments? How about some newly made reservoirs? With pipelines, we can build reservoirs anywhere we want to including dry canyons, flood zones, or other suitable locations. With water pipelines bisecting the United States just like the electrical grid, the choices are up to us! All of these questions and many, many more will have to be answered as we go forward. Federal, state, and local drought and flood assistance will come into play as potential funding sources. Because I live in southern New Mexico, I see the drought effects firsthand. The once mighty Rio Grande, is now a dry riverbed. Burn Lake and New Mexico’s largest reservoir, Elephant Butte, are now continually at only 10% capacity or less.

One option would be pipelines to rivers directly, perhaps pipelines to reservoirs to allow this “new” water source to settle. Directly pumping water into aquifers is being done in some places already. Water is being piped into municipal water treatment plants directly for purifying into potable water. Perhaps developing large “strings” of large water tanks, like the types fairly common near municipal water wells, is the answer. Some level of treatment would be required, regardless of use, to minimize the amounts of foreign organisms that are introduced to existing bodies of water. Not being an expert of invasive, aquatic organisms, I will defer to the experts that will be busy once this gets going.

Perhaps interregional pipelines, from say southeast Texas to the Panhandle of Texas, or from coastal Washington state to the arid areas of eastern Washington. These may prove to be regional solutions. Piping water from one river basin to another in the same region seems like robbing Peter to pay Paul—truly an exercise in long-term futility. It only seems logical that to truly make a difference, water must be brought in from another climatic region—from wet to dry, so to speak.

Pipeline engineering and construction will be another important piece of the water puzzle. As far as materials go, plastic or PVC type of material would seem to be the material of choice for the majority of applications. This question of material, like all questions, is an opportunity for science and technology professionals to develop and introduce new materials. This science and technology will come from colleges and universities that excel in research and development, like New Mexico State University, here in Las Cruces, New Mexico! Every state in this country has schools that can contribute to this project, as it should be. Every American has a stake in this, to some greater or lesser extent. If people in other countries embrace these ideas, then their citizens as well can benefit from these advancements. More discussion of construction will occur in later chapters.

Right-of-way acquisition will also be a key to completion of construction. Too much red tape will surely be a roadblock to timely completion of each portion of these pipelines. These types of projects intended for the public good are the original intent of eminent domain laws. These eminent domain proceedings should go forward with diligence and a sense of urgency. All environmental analyses need to be expedited. The fact that these are water pipelines, not intended for traditional hazmat, oils and gases, will undoubtedly make a huge difference. Also, regional pipelines will have already answered many of these questions. The fact that there are regional pipelines already in use shows the necessity for long-distance pipelines, to truly mitigate flood and drought conditions long-term. Existing rights-of-way may also be utilized for new pipelines. Existing rights-of-way are everywhere. They literally bisect this country from coast to coast. Railroads, existing pipelines, interstate highways, and surface highways are only a sample of existing rights-of-way.

The contracting of the construction of pipelines will be potentially very contentious because of the money involved. All of the aspects of contracting should be geared towards obtaining the best quality for a fair price. How best to accomplish this? By using clear and specific standards with constant, consistent enforcement of these standards. Although elimination is virtually impossible, minimizing the fraud, waste, and abuse in contractual obligations will go a long way towards timely completion. Contracts that involve the scope and breadth of

these projects will cover volumes of paper, not just a few pages.

CHAPTER FIVE

WATERWAYS AND IMPOUNDMENTS

Beyond the pipelines, here’s some discussion on waterways. In my unscientific mind, a waterway would most likely be a channel, canal, aqueduct, or transvasement. Having the waterway exposed to the air would probably permit a massive amount of evaporation, thereby reducing the effect of transferring the water in the first place! I am sure there is a cost aspect to consider also.

The Central Arizona Project (CAP) is mainly an open-air channel that would have cost substantially more if covered or contained. It would seem logical, especially in the extremely arid drought regions, to find a solution to the evaporation issue. In humid environments, evaporation would be much less of a concern. How much less will vary, depending on a number of factors— ultraviolet energy (UV), wind, temperature, water speed, and water depth to name just a few. Unless the depth could be maintained at a substantial level, I don’t see many reasons to keep it open to the air. A pipeline seems so much more efficient as opposed to an open air channel or canal.

Some existing waterways and river drainages can probably be utilized with some improvements. Here in southern New Mexico, the Rio Grande riverbed is only a few feet below the bank. It would seem both expensive and imperative to dredge the riverbed to deepen the river channel. This will have many benefits, such as less evaporative loss, habitat improvement for wildlife, and improved efficiency of water transfers or “calls” of adjudicated water rights.

The next aspect that I would like to discuss is water impoundments. Dams, mainly. Dams impound rivers to make reservoirs. Dams and hydroelectric plants

generate massive amounts of electricity. Dams and the reservoirs they create truly are engineering marvels. One of the most amazing ones I have seen is the Churchill Falls hydroelectric generating station in Churchill Falls, Labrador, Canada. Most of the mechanical equipment is hundreds of feet underground. There is not one, large dam here, but a series of small, remotely controlled dams, 80 or so of them, dispersed throughout the Smallwood Reservoir, a reservoir that impounds approximately 27,000 square miles! The majority of this consists of the Labrador Plateau, a great basin that acts as a natural impoundment. An area that is larger than Ireland! What a magnificent place!

Perhaps there is a great basin here in the continental United States that could be used in such a fashion. With reservoirs, the deeper the better because there is less evapotranspiration. Would more reservoirs improve efficiency? Probably. Would more reservoirs increase water level stability and decrease fluctuations in systems dependent upon flood stage water levels for a water source? Probably so. Would more reservoirs help to stabilize water levels through pipelines that originated in Alaska or Canada? Probably so. If the United States is going to allow Canadian companies to build an oil pipeline or two from Canada to the Gulf of Mexico, do you think Canada would let Americans build some water pipelines from Alaska, through Canada to the United States or straight from Canada to the United States? I am confident an agreement could be reached. Too bad something like this was not worked into the North American Free Trade Agreement (NAFTA)! The true value of water in arid regions of the United States and other countries as well is coming into focus. Quickly.

The investments that we as Americans make now to address growing drought conditions and at the same time mitigate some of the damaging effects of flooding will pay huge dividends in the short term and long term growth and stability of our country. The technology and science that we develop will also be available for utilization in other countries.

Anyways, as far as impoundments go, the existing ones will do for now. Most are not even near capacity. If, in the future, there is a need for expanded reservoir

capacity, perhaps a system could be designed in a grid format with East/West pipelines, bisected by North/South pipelines, and interspersed with reservoirs in opportune or strategic locations. When pipelines for water are interconnected with major waterways and impoundments then unanticipated consequences of climate change may be easier to mitigate. These pipelines, waterways, and impoundments may very well be the lifeline to our continued prosperity in the United States as well as helping other countries become more productive.

CHAPTER SIX

WHO GETS THE “NEW” WATER?

When water is transported from one region of the country to another, would this “new” water be considered adjudicated or spoken for already? Or, would this need to go before the water court? Personally, I would think the water “belongs” to the entities that brought it there via pipeline construction, right of way and easement acquisitions, pump stations, and impoundments.

The environment should be priority number one. When we start to refill the reservoirs, the aquifers will be recharged. With a more abundant water supply not directly connected to regional droughts, the water levels in irrigation reservoirs will begin to stabilize. With this, the wildlife and recreation resources will improve. With more consistent water supplies, the irrigators will be more likely to get their full allotments of irrigation water. With more surface water, less subsurface water will be needed to be pumped up to the surface. With the improved water supply in the reservoirs, development will be less damaging and more predictable. If the environment is the first priority, then agriculture could be a close second and development could be priority number three.

Over time, priorities will naturally need to be modified. Balance between conflicting interests must always be maintained. Depending on the percentage of “new” water to regional water, the levels of reservoirs and in-stream flow levels will need to be adjusted upward to make this a viable plan for everyone. Once transcontinental pipelines are operational, perhaps only a few years will be needed to show a substantial change in increased water levels in the arid Southwest. So, with the WHOLE country enjoying less flood damage and less life and property loss and arid, drought regions seeing improved water storage and less severe drought impacts, the money saved will more than cover the costs of construction and maintenance of this “new” water grid.

With honest people reaching consensus on priority issues as they evolve, the optimum balance can be achieved and maintained. There is no doubt that other priorities will arise. Some may be more urgent than others.

The effect of drought on forest fires may be hard to quantify, but it is definitely a factor when land managers calculate fire hazards in arid regions, especially populated ones. In the summer of 2012, numerous fires spread to residential areas in Colorado, New Mexico and other Western states.

What, if any, impact drought mitigation will have on these types of scenarios is anyone’s guess. Hopefully a positive impact, to some greater or lesser degree, depending on many variables.

CHAPTER SEVEN

EFFECTS ON CURRENT WATER LAW

As I am not an authority on water law, this chapter is completely hypothetical conjecture, otherwise known as talking out of your…hat!

As with the San Juan/Rio Chama project in New Mexico, the water goes to who pays for it. The old adage, “water flows uphill to money”, has a lot of truth to it. In this case, Albuquerque and Bernalillo County primarily paid for the water rights, paid for the infrastructure, and paid for the maintenance and istration. Because of their investment, which began in the 1960’s, they are able to harvest the fruits of their labor. Great foresight, but because that is an intra-regional transfer, there are supply issues due to drought conditions. Water law seems to move at a geological pace for some reasons unbeknownst to me. A water attorney I am not!

The “new” water sources I am proposing will have new water law challenges and hurdles to overcome. My initial proposals are concerned with floodwater from other regions, not the previously adjudicated water rights that are involved in most water transfers.

All entities, public and private, shall relinquish all claims to water being removed by pumping or other methods, to mitigate flood conditions and effects. That seems like a fair trade to me. The money saved, while somewhat subjective to accurately quantify, will be substantial. Part of this shall be used to partially fund the mitigation projects, now and in the future.

Likewise on the opposite ends of the pipelines, all entities, public and private, shall relinquish all rights and claims to this “new” water that is being initially pumped or moved to existing impoundments until such a time these impoundments are operating at or near (>75%) of full capacity. Priorities, while remaining relatively balanced, shall dictate adjudication of this “new” water.

With the demand so great for this “new” water, perhaps the formation of a new entity, a “National Floodwater istration,” so to speak, should be considered. Equitable distribution and exploitation will be some of the key elements to success. This new istrative agency may operate best as say, an autonomous branch of the National Oceanic and Atmospheric istration (NOAA), which along with the Bureau of Reclamation and the United States Geological Survey are the preeminent water agencies of the federal government. To expedite the decision making processes, an equal participation of representatives from environmental, agricultural, and developed-use customers will be important at the state level. Here in New Mexico for example, we could have a person from the Audobon Society, New Mexico Outfitters and Guides Association, New Mexico Cattlemen’s Association, New Mexico Pecan Growers Association, State Engineer’s Office, and New Mexico Environmental Department, along with one hydrologist each from UNM and NMSU, one representative each from Bernalillo County/ Albuquerque Water Authority, Elephant Butte Irrigation District, and Middle Rio Grande Soil and Water Conservancy District. These new alliances at the state and federal level will initially circumvent present water litigation. Necessarily so. This urgency shall not be bogged down in the glacial pace of current water law. Some very intelligent people won’t see the urgency, similar to the climate change debate. Some folks agree that most water rights in the West are over-adjudicated, meaning they only exist on paper, and that what was once an occasional occurrence is now more the norm.

CHAPTER EIGHT

EFFECTS ON CURRENT WATER RIGHTS

Much of the previous chapter pertains to this chapter also. Many of the stakeholders are the same. The shared problems are the same, namely too much demand and not enough supply, period. With cooperation and consideration we can mitigate these issues together and in the process, everyone’s water rights will become more valuable because there will be more water to back up that piece of paper. Those water rights will be less of an empty promise and more of a sure thing. Therefore, improved water rights translate into more marketability for those water rights which in turn creates a higher dollar per acre-foot. Improvements to in-stream flows ultimately mean higher revenues for the tourism industry. Improvements to aquifer levels and reservoir levels equal improvements for not only agricultural interests, but for every citizen of this state and every state that participates in this “new” water source.

Not only will this improve every water right, senior or subordinate, but it will also work towards easing tensions with our neighboring states and neighboring countries as well, with which water releases have become a sore point and a very contentious issue. Just ask the International Boundary Water Commission (IBWC); their website has lots of information.

Getting back to today’s reality, there’s a lot of work between drought and litigation wars and a future with improved water supplies and improved water rights. The world will be watching! Under the right conditions, flood to drought water transfers can happen in many regions around the planet!

CHAPTER NINE

FEDERAL GOVERNMENT

The United States federal government! What can I say about the federal government that hasn’t been said already by others? We are copycatted all over the world and have been for a long time. We built the Interstate Highway System. We can and will build an interstate water pipeline system: the National Water Grid. Similar to the Interstate Highway System, the main arteries will run east and west, north and south, with interconnections strategically placed.

The federal government will spearhead this along with public and private investments. A system of projects of this breadth and scope will have to have the commitment and political will of everyone. Everyone, including you and I. That liberal Democrat, that conservative Republican, and everyone in between, because floods and droughts don’t discriminate.

Similar to the Interstate System, this system will take a long time to build out. I think the interstates were started in the 1950’s and are still a work in progress, but the effects were felt immediately back then and are continuing to be felt today. Where would we be without the Interstate System? That initial commitment by the federal government was painful, expensive, and contentious, fueled in part by the Cold War and national security concerns. Spearheading this has got to start at the federal level. Most states are directly involved in this also. How many states receive disaster assistance for floods? How many states receive assistance for droughts? Many. We are in this together.

A lot of folks don’t want to hear about water issues in the Southwest. They don’t want to hear about tapping into and piping Great Lakes water to irrigate golf

courses in the desert! Some folks don’t want to hear about places that flood every year and people that rebuild in the same places! This type of speech misses the importance of the need for “new” water sources and minimizes the urgency of the current drought conditions. When I first wrote this in 2012, the Ohio legislature was considering Senate Bill 170, which addresses water transfers and consumptive use under the guidelines of the Great Lakes/St. Lawrence River Compact. This is a great start, but it does not address the issues of flooding and agricultural runoff contamination. By having federal involvement from the beginning, we can take a national, as opposed to a regional, approach. The political will has to start at the top because floods and droughts affect the country as a whole. The United States as a whole has ALWAYS responded to natural disasters. Obviously, some better than others. Here in New Mexico, our elected officials are keenly aware of the ongoing drought conditions and the dwindling water supplies we are now experiencing. New Mexico’s largest reservoir, Elephant Butte, named for a rock formation, is only at approximately 10% of capacity. When full, Elephant Butte holds approximately 2 million acrefeet of water. One acre foot of water is approximately 327,000 gallons of water. Also, groundwater pumping is accelerating at an alarming rate, diminishing the aquifers, which is another dire aspect of the drought conditions.

The federal government must get the ball rolling forward! This is far more than watering golf courses in the desert. This is about people and their livelihoods in agriculture, tourism and of course, water for use in our homes. Now, once the federal government is involved, then the states can mobilize at the state and regional level as well. A lot of the infrastructure is already in place at all levels of government.

The economic feasibility is some of the first important questions to be answered. Up until very recently, it was too costly to build pipelines, tunnels, pump stations, and intakes to transfer water. Time has changed that completely. Now, on a regional basis, it is totally cost effective. With federal, state, and local involvement, the new interstate water transfers will be cost effective also.

With intakes at the historically flood-prone locations, water will be pumped to river systems and surface water impoundment inflows and then begin to augment the existing flows and levels. This won’t happen overnight. This won’t be a “silver bullet,” but it will help to mitigate both floods and droughts. This would never have been considered feasible a few decades ago, but it certainly is now. Now is the time to take action. Our elected officials, through legislation, will direct federal water managers with the National Oceanic and Atmospheric istration (NOAA) and the Bureau of Reclamation to spearhead this new national effort. In fact, according to the Secure Water Act of 2009, the Bureau of Reclamation will be leading the states towards securing water sources for the future. The Secure Water Act states that while the individual states are responsible for water management, the Bureau of Reclamation is the lead agency in practice. The Bureau of Reclamation leadership is critical to implementing flood and drought mitigation programs on a state by state, regional or river basin level. They are “the best in the West,” along with the Army Corps of Engineers. The United States Geological Survey (USGS) also has a long history of providing measurement data that is critical in the planning and design stages along with NOAA, who provides the satellite data that is rapidly moving forward the study of our water resources and the lack thereof.

The recent studies of water resources has only reinforced the urgency to develop “new” water sources and begin to exploit those for the benefit of people, wildlife, farms, and livestock that are struggling to survive in drought conditions across the United States. The summer of 2012 drove home to Americans coast to coast, the severity of the widespread drought, the likes of which have not been seen since the Dust Bowl days of the 1930’s.

CHAPTER TEN

STATE GOVERNMENTS

Most water issues and some drought issues have been relegated to state agencies with naturally, varying degrees of effect. Flood and drought, as well as water quality issues these days demand consistent application of standards, programs, and policies to achieve a positive effect on a national scale. Some percentage of people look upon flood and drought issues with a “that comes with the territory” kind of attitude which is not necessarily good or bad per se, that’s just the way it is! With today’s science and engineering, we can change that, somewhat. We can and will modify and mitigate the undesirable effects and preserve and improve the desirable effects.

All states may do well to consider additional reservoirs in steep canyons or any locations of our choice, and perhaps reservoirs in series of two to four in a row! Now I am quite sure this will seem absurd or unrealistic to some folks, but I think we are reaching critical levels of widespread drought. Drought has changed many civilizations, usually for the worse. I think we still have time to diligently plan, state by state, the National Water Grid of water pipelines, big and small to help mitigate flood and drought conditions.

State by state, every single state has received flood and/or drought assistance at least occasionally, if not regularly and consistently. Therefore, every state can benefit from flood and drought mitigation measures. They can’t come soon enough here in southern New Mexico where it seems that the federal government may be attempting a water “grab.” Not a surface water grab which was not unusual for individuals, corporations, and government entities in the past. No, this time it is a move for groundwater. Groundwater is basically underground water that requires pumping to bring it to the surface. Since the surface water is almost non-existent here, we have come to the point of once

again waging legal battles amongst ourselves for an ever-decreasing resource.

To me, this alone demonstrates the urgent need for a National Water Grid. A National Water Grid can and will alleviate some of the contentious and costly legal battles over water. When we can utilize floodwater, storm water, groundwater, surface water, and even water that is desalinated to mitigate drought conditions and climate change conditions, we will prosper.

Picture this, a grid work similar to the electric grids in use now, of pipelines crisscrossing America to move water to drought areas, while at the same time mitigating flood conditions and economic deficits in areas with excess water. We can more equitably balance the water supply and demand throughout the United States this way. Perhaps, some of our international neighbors can in also.

Maybe Canada can build some water pipelines into the United States while their oil pipelines are being built through the Midwest to the Gulf Coast. Maybe Mexico would be interested in building pipelines from their perennial flood zones to northern Chihuahua, west Texas, southern New Mexico, Arizona and southern California. The possibilities are boundless, limited only by our resolve, technology and science. Once again, let me say the time is NOW!

Now, back to the states’ responsibilities to their citizens, let’s say Wisconsin, Minnesota and South Dakota are all facing massive budget deficits, by contributing water to the National Water Grid. They can mitigate their budget deficits and therefore avoid massive layoffs and other social upheaval. Let’s say Texas builds a utility scale desalination complex powered by solar s. Texas can pump that water into the National Water Grid to pay for their desalination plant. Let’s say all of the Gulf Coast states pump their flood and storm water into the National Water Grid to mitigate loss of life and property damage and in turn get paid for the amount of “clean water” that is contributed to the National Water Grid. Although 2012 may not be the best example, many years there are hundreds, if not thousands, of locations that flood throughout the late winter into

spring and summer. Many of these locations can be tapped into the National Water Grid and opened when flood stage is reached. The gaging stations utilized by the USGS are extremely helpful in mapping areas for storm and floodwater intakes to the National Water Grid. Even here in the arid Southwest, seasonal monsoon storms can dump huge amounts of water that can be managed and utilized. Coastal storm rainfall amounts can be captured in large basins or catchment ponds. Snowmelt can be partially capture and diverted, although this water is traditionally considered adjudicated, or already spoken for, water.

In summation, as far as the individual states are concerned, this is where it all starts because each state is charged with managing their own water resources. The unique and varied applications and situations encountered in each state will only add to the versatility of the National Water Grid. This past summer, 2012, demonstrated that drought can happen anywhere. Some states still did not experience any significant drought conditions last year. For some of these states, ones with a healthy water supply, there is a high percentage of relative humidity. How much water could be drawn out of a large, utility-scale dehumidifier powered by solar s, in an area of 80%-100% humidity? With the price of water about to rise exponentially, ALL options merit consideration. Ideas and technologies once absurd or just plain not cost effective are now worthy of a second look and reconsideration. Can we magically produce water from thick air? Probably so.

CHAPTER ELEVEN

LOCAL GOVERNMENTS

Local governments can pave the way on a grassroots level with local citizens. Local work shall include local workers to the greatest extent possible, including the hiring of local engineering firms to conduct all pre-construction studies of environmental issues, the types of technology best suited for the locations chosen, actual design and engineering of the infrastructure and so on. Local excavation companies would do the dirt work, while local construction companies would do the construction of the infrastructure. Plus, construction management companies could interface with infrastructure projects from other locales and also liaison with local, state, and federal level project managers to ensure state to state continuity. Local workers, not out-of-state workers, should be utilized whenever possible. American work for American workers.

CHAPTER TWELVE

OTHER REGULATORY AGENCIES

Water conservation districts, soil and water conservation districts, water authorities, river basin commissions and watershed resource associations, are just some of the regulatory agencies involved.

Irrigation districts ister adjudicated water to their irrigators or shareholders. As a private entity, they can own expansive infrastructure systems for delivery of that water. But, without water, those systems cannot function. Here in southern New Mexico, Elephant Butte Reservoir is only at approximately 8% of capacity! It has not been near full capacity for decades! With the National Water Grid operational, that will change.

In regions that experience flood conditions, commissions at the local level help to implement Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) flood response and mitigation policies. So too, will drought commissions fulfill a similar role in regions that experience droughts. The summer of 2012 brought drought conditions to much of the Midwest. This is considered by some to be a “shallow” drought, because it just started as compared to west Texas and New Mexico where drought conditions have existed for years.

All of the water conservation districts will have to work closely with the irrigation districts and the drought monitors to execute a single, unified vision for the present and the future. The federal government will have to work with the state, regional, and local agencies that presently oversee water issues and projects. There will have to be unprecedented cooperation amongst all parties. No power plays, no water grabs. We are ALL in this together.

CHAPTER THIRTEEN

PRIVATE SECTOR

To construct the National Water Grid will require a massive amount of science and technology, engineering and construction. Virtually every American can be employed somewhere along the line in this transformation of America. Many thousands of privately owned businesses will thrive because of this work. A National Water Grid will eventually decrease the amount of checks that insurance companies have to pay out to flood and drought victims. All federal, state, and local relief agencies will eventually be paying out less in disaster relief monies. Even the Red Cross and the National Guard will expend less of their resources.

Pipe and concrete manufacturers will be busy coast to coast, and the same goes for heavy equipment and truck manufacturers. Engineering firms across the country will be working on this. Every private and public college and university that has an engineering school will be doing research and development (R+D) for the National Water Grid. Solar and wind power-producing equipment manufacturers will regain some of their previous momentum. Feasible solar and wind generated power will be utilized to run the pumps that pressurize the pipelines. In addition to pipeline, we will definitely need more pumps, solar s, electrical generation turbines, and wind turbines.

Landowners will benefit also. They may be asked to sell some of their land, for a fair price, to allow for construction of water impoundments, pipeline rights-ofway, and other related infrastructure.

Organized labor will also have a seat at the table. Fair negotiations will take

place without the threat of work stoppages. Contracts will be signed by labor and private industries, not government entities at any level.

Domestic suppliers and manufacturers will be utilized first. When domestic sources are inadequate to meet the demand, then international outsourcing can augment our domestic supply. When domestic labor, skilled or unskilled, is insufficient to meet the demand, then again, the international sourcing of labor can augment our domestic labor market. This will positively impact every Indian reservation, state, and county in the United States. In fact, this will probably go a long way towards normalizing relations with our adjacent international neighbors, Mexico and Canada. Who knows, maybe we can export this science, technology, and engineering expertise to help other countries address some of their own similar concerns of water issues.

CHAPTER FOURTEEN

STUDIES

Before any large-scale projects begin, studies are required to demonstrate the different aspects of the project, starting with a feasibility study. A feasibility study consists of several components. There is an acronym related to feasibility studies: TELOS—Technical, Economic, Legal, Operational, and Scheduling.

Technical deals with the question of whether or not this project is “doable.” So, the question of whether or not, this National Water Grid is practical, doable or feasible, must be answered in many ways to many people at many different levels. To me, the answer is yes. Guarded, but yes nonetheless. Not like we have much choice if we are to develop “new” water sources to bolster our currently dwindling water sources. With the combination of floodwater from storms in historically flood-prone locations and spring runoff, to the output from desalination plants and utility-scale dehumidification plants, then the possible addition of groundwater and surface water from regions that MAY have a water surplus, all combined into a “grid” or network of water pipeline systems to recharge depleted groundwater aquifers and surface water impoundments. This is a “broad stroke” description of the technical aspects. Very broad stroke. While I certainly cannot claim to be an engineer, I am confident that our universities have undergraduate and post-graduate engineering students who can definitely solve these roadblocks, not to mention the professors who inspire these students to excel.

The next aspect of a feasibility study is the economic aspects to be examined. The cost/benefit analysis is usually one of the major milestones to be calculated. If the benefits outweigh the costs, then the answer is yes. Benefits divided by costs equals cost/benefit. The cost of the new National Water Grid is a number that is mind-boggling if looked at all at once. Compared to the cost of the

electrical grid or the Interstate Highway System, the initial “backbone” of the National Water Grid is a much more manageable amount. The two main components are the developmental and operational expenditures. The developmental costs include, but are not limited to, initial scoping and definition, feasibility, research and development of new technologies, surveying, engineering, and construction. A few words that stand for a lot. The operational aspects, while ever evolving, represent a much more predictable and stable financial basis. Fairly accurate forecasts pertaining to labor costs, equipment costs, and material costs can be obtained easily enough. Basically, after all of the different costs are added up, you simply DOUBLE the estimate and you will be very close to the completed cost. An accurate estimate contains a margin of error to for inconsistencies in cost projection. Doubling the initial estimate is just a rule of thumb, or swag that I use to guess a project’s final cost. Most of the time it’s pretty close. Not always.

The next TELOS element is the legal aspect. This includes right-of-way and easement acquisitions. Also, the management of the inevitable litigation that arises out of any large-scale project, such as this. I personally believe certain court actions are very important to protect areas for the natural value of the areas, but not to delay or derail a project that is in everyone’s interest. When the litigation has run its course, it has run its course. Period. No rehashing of old arguments and no reserving of new arguments, they all need to be addressed without delay. There is too much at stake to let this become bogged down. That is not to say that ongoing monitoring and oversight is not important, because it is very important. This will, and should be an evolving enterprise. This too, will be a legal issue. Another larger legal issue will be the question of who or what entity determines what? Who determines pipeline routes? Probably hydrologists and engineers. Who determines what happens first? Probably the same people. Who makes all of the procurement decisions? Are they split between state and federal agencies? There are many decisions with legal ramifications to be made. The importance of a broad, stable and equitable legal foundation cannot be minimized.

The next aspect of the TELOS concept of feasibility studies is “O” for operational. Operational considerations consist partially of the practical, day-to-

day decisions and the long-range, strategic decisions also. What entity or governmental agency isters operational control over the interstate pipelines? Probably an agency that has interstate jurisdiction and authority. Who will be responsible for new and existing water impoundments? Some of these are interstate or between states and some of these are intrastate or wholly inside a state. Probably the entities and agencies that have experience with these already, but not necessarily. There may be new ideas or concepts that are more efficient and more flexible as far as working in collaboration with others.

This brings us to one of the million dollar questions: Who will ister or adjudicate these “new” water sources? The current system of water adjudication seems to be archaic and totally incapable of adjusting to changing water conditions. This may be the time and here may be the place to re-examine some of these methods and procedures. With an increase of in-stream flows and acrefeet in storage, environmental concerns and issues deserve and shall receive a priority level equal to agriculture, development, industry, and urban demand. Nature as a whole has suffered long enough because of the water issues, shortages and drought.

The last TELOS component is scheduling. Successful scheduling methods often vary greatly. A schedule that works well for a certain type of project, say, a pipeline for instance, may not be as effective for a new reservoir. The type of project may dictate the scheduling. With the National Water Grid, scheduling may be initially inconsistent. I am certain when the railroads, interstate highways, and the electrical grids were in their different stages of completion, scheduling issues were many and varied, some foreseen and some unforeseen. Scheduling is also essential for monitoring and evaluating the milestones and benchmarks set forth in the feasibility studies. If the milestones are not being reached on time, this needs to be analyzed to determine cause and resolution. Once a decision on a course of action is made, move forward. Repeat as necessary!

In summation, the feasibility studies will be the keystones to the initial phases of

the National Water Grid. Not only can we promote growth and sustainability, we will improve the quality of life for all Americans.

CHAPTER FIFTEEN

URGENCY

The summer of 2012 may well be a sign of things to come in the future. The long term effects of the widespread drought will be felt for years to come, like the spike in food prices. Some of these effects may be unrealized at this time, but may be common knowledge in a few years. Immediate impacts include shortages of corn, wheat, and soybeans, the soaring costs to feed livestock, and the subsequent selloff of many herds and flocks. The glut of livestock commodities lowers prices and hurts farmers and ranchers even more.

The climate change conditions in the United States the last few years must compel us to act. Procrastination is deadly. The extreme weather we have been subjected to over the last few years is projected to not only continue, but to accelerate. An exponential increase in the extremes of drought, heat, flood, rain, and snow, along with below normal temperatures in warmer climates and above normal temperatures in colder climates, can have the potential to decimate our agricultural sector and cause an imported food dependence that no American wants. One hundred years ago was a good time to start, so was 50 years ago. Right now is a good time to start, because I don’t think it’s too late.

During last year’s election campaign season, it was interesting to see politicians posing near decimated cornfields. To a large extent these drought conditions will be forgotten by next year. Lest we forget. When we forget history, we may be doomed to repeat it. So, not only are we compelled to act now because of climate change conditions, we are also compelled by the ominous economic damage potential. While trying to not sound too paranoid or talk of doom and gloom, I must accentuate the negative potential of inaction. Our already fragile economy, while showing some signs of recovery, is tenuous and uneven. We have been blessed with good fortune for a long time, for the most part, but it’s up

to us to take care of ourselves. No other country will take care of America if we fall into a prolonged drought without many mitigation measures. We will be at the mercy of whom? I really do not want to go there! The National Water Grid, or international for that matter, will not solve all of our problems, but it will buy us the time we need to adjust. How much is an acre-foot of water worth to the end ? To the irrigation district or the water authority? How about to the potential for relocating industries or even new industries? PRICELESS! Bottom line, we can let nothing stand in our way to mitigating drought. This is the most serious long-term threat to economic prosperity and development. Water for agriculture and water for human/commercial consumption, along with water treatment capacity, are the foundations of the economy we depend upon.

CHAPTER SIXTEEN

COMMITMENT

Commitment. There’s a lot of meaning in that one word. To me and many others, commitment means a certain level or degree of dedication to an idea to see it to fruition. In the context of the National Water Grid, commitment is a willingness and desire to be dedicated to the completion and operation of a nationwide and perhaps international system, network, or GRID of pipelines and related infrastructure to transfer water from one region of the country to other regions, even long distances. This is the type of commitment of the longest . This will span lifetimes and rejuvenate our economy. This long-term commitment will enhance the quality of life directly or indirectly for all Americans. All of us. Not just some of us. All Americans are stakeholders in some way. We all have a stake in the future and prosperity of our country. So, we HAVE to be committed to this endeavor.

There are already small-scale pipeline projects in the works. Many in the past have been rejected as being nothing more than blatant water “grabs.” In the near future, water from the Great Lakes will be moving through pipelines to destinations unknown. This will be very contentious and divisive. Let’s use floodwater instead to mitigate flood and drought conditions at the same time. The commitment begins with you and I. It then extends to local levels of water conservancy organizations. From there, the commitment level expands to state and local governments and universities where the research and development gains momentum. The federal government and major industries will soon see the viability and come on board or perhaps even the other way around. Perhaps industrial pioneers will partner with the federal government and the momentum will “flow” to the state and local level. Either way, the new found energy and commitment will grow in an exponential manner to the launch of projects that will be the beginning of the National Water Grid for the betterment of everyone. We, as a nation and as a planet, need to manage our precious water resources in an efficient and modern manner to ensure that there is a sufficient supply for the

environment, agriculture, populated areas, and future development. We have to do this now, before it’s too late. Our own government entities can provide the initial resources to get these projects started. We also need the private sector to provide the technology that is currently available for the infrastructure. We need universities to provide the research and development of new technologies for future use. By far though, the single most important ingredient is commitment— the level and depth of commitment that this country has not seen in several decades. The different levels of government have to have one level of commitment. Private industry needs to gear up to produce everything needed domestically, not importing all equipment and material. We will need large-scale dehumidification and desalination systems along every coastal region, where seawater is plentiful and humidity levels are consistently the highest. We will need floodwater reclamation systems in areas that are historically, the most flood- prone areas. We will need deeper water impoundments to minimize the effects of evaporation of these resources. We will need new and improved water impoundments to improve the storage level, measured in acre-feet. We will need more accurate mapping of our groundwater resources. We will need the network of pipelines, not only across America, but perhaps in conjunction with and adjacent to, the oil pipelines from Canada. Also, perhaps in the regions we share aquifers with Mexico.

We will need the agricultural community to develop and deploy more efficient methods of irrigation. We will need more efficiency from water and sewage treatment plant designers and operators. We will need more xeriscaping and less water consumptive plants for landscaping. We need an excise tax for property owners with swimming pools in arid climates and many, many more water conservation initiatives. Xeriscape ALL municipal landscaping. Artificial turf only for all sports fields and “green” or open spaces. This takes a commitment from everyone. Then, and only then, can we reverse the beginning stages of desertification that are now upon us.

CHAPTER SEVENTEEN

UNINTENDED CONSEQUENCES

Scary couple of words, huh? You bet. Although when one examines this, it seems we experience this on a daily basis. In the negative, by NOT improving our water management and conservation systems and practices, we expose ourselves to uncontrollable drought and flood conditions just like our ancestors have done in the past. In the positive, for every action there is reaction. If we pump water from the Great Lakes, they may go dry.

If we mitigate floodwater, that may alter ecosystems in those areas. If we augment water supplies in arid regions, that may fill those aquifers and cause higher in-stream flows which may alter those ecosystems, as unlikely as it may seem. Water from one region may contain bacteria or organisms detrimental to another region. Just the words, “unintended consequences” are fairly selfexplanatory. We currently have the technology to counter most of the unintended consequences encountered, but surely not all of them.

Take for example, the problems of invasive plants and animals. Tamarisk or Salt Cedar, our own fault. How about Zebra and Quagga Mussels? How about the Asian Carp invasion? How about West Nile and Hantavirus diseases? Our scientific communities are constantly and continuously examining new ways of mitigating the damages of these problems and many others, no doubt.

No doubt there will be countless lawsuits over the issues surrounding water rights seniority, perhaps many more dealing with land acquisition and eminent domain. For me, at least, the eminent domain issues seem to be clear. These projects are for the general public and in the interest of the general public. As far

as the litigious water rights issues, we need to find a way to streamline and modernize the application of water law.

With a lack of increases in the cost of water over the last 50 years or so, we have short-changed ourselves as far as investing in the infrastructure that we intimately depend upon on a daily basis. Intimately and daily. If you think about your water consumption on a daily basis, then multiply that times 350 million people in the United States. Don’t forget to add in tens of thousands of commercial and industrial businesses and their consumption and top it off with the billions of gallons of water necessary to grow the food we eat. This continued lack of investment may cause a sudden spike in the cost of water that will affect everyone and everything eventually. The unintended consequences of INACTION will far outweigh those of ACTION and mitigating measures I assure you. We have the scientific and technological abilities to minimize and mitigate the unforeseen issues that will inevitably arise.

CHAPTER EIGHTEEN

HISTORICAL PERSPECTIVES

Some of the most enduring remnants of the ancient Roman Empire consist of aqueducts and impoundments for water transfer and storage that were constructed throughout their territories, far and wide. Some of these are still in use, thousands of years later! Most have been built for irrigation purposes.

The Industrial Revolution helped to create canals mainly for transportation, the Erie Canal for example. This engineering marvel is still considered one of the most amazing feats of engineering in America and has recently seen a resurgence in commercial traffic. When first envisioned and proposed, it was met with the same criticism and ridicule as when we bought Alaska! Now how did that work out? I can already hear the critics, “what the..” and any other criticism and ridicule that may come to mind. But, that’s O.K. because this type of vision invites this type of criticism. As long as we don’t let it become a roadblock, we’re good to go. In 50 or 100 years from now, succeeding generations of Americans will thank us for the forethought and commitment to see this through to fruition. There are water transfer systems that have been operating here for decades, on a regional basis. Now is the time to expand and build upon this expertise. Historically, the civilizations that have managed their water resources on a large scale have prospered and developed the most. Let’s be those people! Here, picture the future with the National Water Grid, minimized flooding due to transferring excess water, maximizing agriculture, urban development and industrial growth while enhancing the natural environment of an arid climate. A robust economy with minimal unemployment and a healthy GDP is the ultimate goal.

Now, picture the future without the National Water Grid. Continued flooding in flood-prone areas. Continued and worsening drought conditions over larger and

larger regions of the United States. Aging infrastructure that little to no growth. A continued weak economy with an increasing dependence on imports. Let’s be like the people who saw the potential in the canals, aqueducts, waterways, and reservoirs that are still in use today. It’s right here for the taking. Just look at history. History has most definitely favored those who took bold steps into their tomorrows. That’s the American way. That’s why people ire Americans. Through trepidation and fear of the unknown, we take action. I believe this is a path to the prosperity that we seek. Uncertainty precedes everything. It is merely a shadow. Let’s learn this historical lesson and take it to heart. This is the place and time for the National Water Grid.

Another historical perspective is the roughly 50 year span of reservoir building in the United States and other countries as well. At the time of construction and through completion, very few people could imagine a larger demand for water than what those new impoundments could provide. The water storage in acrefeet seemed almost limitless. What few people foresaw was a lack of precipitation and flow to fill these reservoirs—the supply side. Now we have many near-empty reservoirs.

Before the turn of the last century, in the 1890’s, farmers and ranchers in some of the more arid, but livable areas of northeast Colorado for example, realized, even back then, that there was not enough water to sustain their operations. At that point they petitioned the federal government, through the Bureau of Reclamation, to build tunnels, dams and pipelines to transport water long distances. Because that was done on a regional scale, it is now insufficient to meet the demand for water going forward. Aquifers are being drained and not recharged at an equal rate. Water rights are and have been grossly overestimated and over-adjudicated, paper water. We have been counting un-hatched chickens for a long time.

The seasonal flooding that is mostly unique to different regions, that we continue to be damaged by on an annual basis, such as Tropical Storm Isaac that threatened the Gulf Coast, was the trigger for uncontrolled flooding. While

America once invested in infrastructure to control water for irrigation, we have done nothing substantial on a national level since. With history as our teacher, now is the time to take water management to the next level. We can harness uncontrolled flooding. We can mitigate ever-increasing drought conditions. These are some of the next logical steps to bring historical lessons into present day applications. How many more times are we to watch hurricanes inundate the Gulf Coast with devastating amounts of rain, or freshwater without having the infrastructure to pump all of this water to areas and regions that so badly need it? Sound expensive? You bet! But how expensive is it to continue to only react? Eventually, an increasing percentage of disaster relief funds will be spared due to flood and drought mitigation efforts.

Take some time and read the histories of some of the bold projects undertaken in the past for water, the Grand Ditch in Colorado, the Erie Canal in New York, or the Central Arizona Project (CAP) in Arizona. There are large water projects in virtually every country on the planet now. All of these projects required ACTION! Now, just as then, the critics and naysayers will howl about budgets and deficits, not-in-my-backyard (NIMBY) and many more arguments against moving forward. But, the time is now. Let’s move forward and begin the planning process for a National Water Grid, a network that will transport floodwater through a system of pumps and filtration units to areas of drought in time for peak agricultural demand. This is about long-term as it gets. How long has it taken to build the national electrical grids? Well, it’s still not done, but it’s been functioning reliably for a long time already.

The most flood-prone areas, as identified by FEMA are a logical starting point. I recently saw the FEMA on C-SPAN. He was discussing the common practice of regularly rebuilding after floods in the same locations. A definition of insanity is doing the same thing and expecting different results. The billions of dollars spent on rebuilding in flood zones would more than cover the cost of the initial build-out in those locations. Upstream of perennial flood locations may be a good place to build small outtakes or diversions to pipelines that will feed into progressively larger pipes to transport water hundreds or thousands of miles away to drought zones, refilling reservoirs along the way. One of the positive aspects of pipelines is they are able to be engineered from

the start. Say, that a water pipeline route could be chosen to connect to a different river basin or routed to a dry canyon for a NEW reservoir where there wasn’t one before? Unlike river channels, we would choose the route that is most efficient and productive.

Presently, in-basin water transfers or diversions are proving to be susceptible to the same pressures basin-wide. So, by transferring water from one part of the basin to another part of the same basin, serves to only prolong the inevitable. Droughts and floods seem to affect whole regions or quadrants of the country that contain more than one river basin in this new age of climate change.

If the areas that flood regularly were turned into reservoirs or returned to natural flood plains with no human presence, then the environment would benefit immensely. If river basins in drought zones were augmented with floodwater, those basins, for their entire length, could have full reservoirs and greatly improved in-stream flows, which would in turn lead to greater economic development potential and increased agricultural output.

Whether or not we are on the cusp of another prolonged drought here in the Southwest or are in the early stages of permanent climate change is anyone’s guess. Some changes are only apparent in retrospect. One thing for sure is now is the time to address long-term solutions for our freshwater supplies. Other possible solutions include the United States and Canada negotiating water pipelines from Canada to run adjacent to the proposed Keystone XL oil pipeline that is currently being debated. Those pipeline infrastructures will run from the Canadian border to south Texas, crossing some areas recently hard hit by drought. These days, Canada is our #1 trade partner and our best ally! Let’s work together on this, I know we can do it. Another historical perspective, this one still in the making, is the Spring of 2013, record rainfall in many areas of the United States including the waterways that flood on a regular, clock-like basis, the places where we can tap into this excess water for transfer to drought regions. Add to the record rainfall, May 1 blizzards from northern Colorado to Minnesota and south to Oklahoma, some locales receiving 10-25 inches of wet,

heavy snow that is very damaging and dangerous. The Southwest region of the United States, where the drought is most pronounced, gets nothing from this massive storm front, only continued dry and sunny conditions. Meanwhile, the already flooded regions of the Midwest will receive another surge of flood water in the saturated and inundated river basins that should be supplying water to the near-empty reservoirs in the western States.

CHAPTER NINETEEN

AMERICANS WORKING FOR AMERICA

In this chapter, I will offer a brief discussion on job creation. Many economists believe that job creation is the key element in recovery for a compromised economy. I think that is correct so, to that end, a discussion on job creation comes first. A conservative estimate of jobs numbers might be in the range of several hundred thousand jobs over the next 20 years to conceptualize, design, plan, engineer, and construct a National Water Grid in the initial phase.

As with the electrical grids or the Interstate Highway System, a National Water Grid must begin on paper. With clearly defined concepts, public and political acceptance will naturally follow. The conceptualization stage must clearly demonstrate the benefit for the majority of Americans, including decreased flood damage and decreased drought damage, equating to billions of dollars, both public and private monies, saved.

In the engineering disciplines, there will be a massive number of careers begun to address all of the myriad engineering hurdles. Design engineers, planning engineers, field engineers, and environmental and operating engineers to name a few.

Heavy industry to manufacture pipeline material, connectors, monitors, sensors, pumps, valves, and all of the indirect industries that heavy industry, like heavy equipment manufacturers for example. The ripple effect will be huge.

The labor market will see a huge demand for all sorts of skilled, semi-skilled, and unskilled workers alike in virtually every state. In areas with a tight labor market, oil and gas production for example, wages and salaries are strong, driving local economies with strong demand for food, housing and other services, thus creating more tax revenue. The most productive, long-term prescription for a healthy economy is strong and consistent job growth. The National Water Grid will accomplish just that for decades to come! By addressing the water issues we now face, we will be addressing other important issues as well, including the most neglected and underserved issue of “environmental” water. The environmental issues surrounding river basins, particularly here in the arid Southwest, have taken a back seat to agriculture and development for a long, long time. Now we have an opportunity to restore some of the lost habitat due in part to drought and create many jobs in the process. Improved water resources will create more tourism demand, ecotourism and recreational tourism as well. This has been a shrinking part of tourism here in the Southwest for quite some time now. That will change for the better with more water in the rivers, streams and reservoirs. Just ask any state tourism board.

CHAPTER TWENTY

EMERGING TECHNOLOGIES

Large, utility-scale desalination plants have proven to be solid-performing water makers. This relatively new technology is being employed in a variety of scenarios from plain, old seawater to the brackish water from desert wells. It seems the invention of reverse osmosis systems has made this all possible! Amazing is all that I can think of to say! From the tiny water filter on my faucet to the large desalination plants in California, Texas and Florida, to locations around the planet, this technology is a modern miracle. So, full speed ahead to locations on all coasts and other areas that have large concentrations of saltwater or brackish water inland. When these are constructed near urban zones, they quickly become part of their water “portfolio”.

Another relatively new technology is utility-scale solar power plants. With plants producing massive amounts of megawatts, these can easily power desalination plants, as opposed to conventional power generation with much less pollution involved. With utility-scale solar power, pumps, valves, and associated equipment, the National Water Grid can also be powered. Here in the Southwest with all of the sunshine we get, solar power is becoming mainstream, from large, utility-scale projects coming on-line to small scale, residential systems for homeowners. “Green” energy is a concept becoming more and more popular. Other emerging technologies are wind turbines for electrical generation and geothermal energy for heating and cooling demands. Our drive towards energy independence will encom water independence as well as food independence. We shall never lose sight of those goals.

CHAPTER TWENTY ONE

NATIONAL WATER POLICY

The United States has a complete lack of a national water policy. What we do have is a fragmented, dysfunctional collection of local, state, and quasigovernmental policies that at times overlap or are steered in diverging directions for one reason or another, sometimes to the detriment of neighboring areas. The current state of drought highlights these problems and has negative effects on economic conditions, regionally as well as nationally. One of the most important tools we need to work with the climate change that has already begun is a comprehensive national water policy. In conjunction with the National Water Grid, we will be able to adjust the natural but unequal water distribution that nature is providing for us. We cannot depend on the natural vagaries and variations of flood and drought to supply us with a consistently growing demand for water for the environment. A national water policy is long overdue. We are at a turning point that will affect Americans for generations to come. By creating a national water policy and this National Water Grid we, as Americans, will have a profound, immediate impact on the economy, the environment, and our independence as Americans. Don’t we owe future generations the benefit of our foresight? I was saving this brief chapter for last because if nothing else sticks, I think the concept of a national water policy to guide us into the future, together, is paramount to correcting the current water imbalance.

An afterword from the author: This draft manuscript does not include any graphs, pictures, tables, study data, personal interviews, or illustrations, yet. I felt immediate dissemination was more important than other considerations. My research data is mostly public domain, government data, personal, anecdotal experiences. Successive editions and open source versions will hopefully be forthcoming. Thank you for your forebearance.