Original scientific paper
https://doi.org/10.13044/j.sdewes.2013.01.0006
How Sustainable are Engineered Rivers in Arid Lands?
Jurgen Schmandt
; Houston Advanced Research Center, The Woodlands, and University of Texas, Austin, United States
Gerald R. North
; Department of Atmospheric Sciences, Texas A&M University, College Station, United States
George H. Ward
; Center for Research in Water Resources, University of Texas, Austin, United States;
Abstract
Engineered rivers in arid lands play an important role in feeding the world’s growing population. Each continent has rivers that carry water from distant mountain sources to fertile soil downstream where rainfall is scarce. Over the course of the last century most rivers in arid lands have been equipped with large engineering structures that generate electric power and store water for agriculture and cities. This has changed the hydrology of the rivers. In this paper we discuss how climate variation, climate change, reservoir siltation, changes in land use and population growth will challenge the sustainability of engineered river systems over the course of the next few decades. We use the Rio Grande in North America, where we have worked with Mexican and American colleagues, to describe our methodology and results. Similar work is needed to study future water supply and demand in engineered rivers around the world.
Keywords
Hydraulic Engineering; Climate Variation; Climate Change; Reservoir Sedimentation; Irrigated Agriculture; Food Security; River Sustainability; Rio Grande
Hrčak ID:
105568
URI
Publication date:
30.6.2013.
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