Climate change has many implications for the Colorado River and the millions of people
the lifeline supports. Allocation and water management in the arid west seems to be
increasingly complex, as climate change, coupled with population growth, add another
perplexing aspect for water managers. Average predictions for Colorado River flows range
anywhere between a 6%-20% decrease by 2050, despite the water stored in Lake Powell
and Lake Mead, which are already are far below average historic levels. GIS (Geographic
Information Systems) and remote sensing technologies have been evolving since the
1970s and are serving as vital tools for sharing, visualizing, analyzing, and manipulating
spatial data. GIS technology create excellent mechanisms for water managers, scientists,
politicians, and the public interests groups with consistent information on temperature data,
precipitation, snowpack, soil types, land use and a multitude of other factors, which
determine the health and survival of the river. GIS is a critical device that needs to be
utilized for conservation of vital water resources in the Colorado River Basin.
