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‘Killing The Colorado’ Examines The Impact That Severe Water Shortages Could Have On Millions Of Americans

By Charlinda Robinson
Published on: 06:55 PST, Jul 26, 2016

Water is no longer something that can be taken for granted, and that’s a truth that may be hard to accept. Red Carpet Crash noted that water was once an abundant necessity that has slowly turned into a scarce and complex commodity. So complex, in fact, that even Wall Street has gotten involved in trying to solve the water shortage problems as they continue to grow.

Killing the Colorado is part of the Discovery Impact series of groundbreaking documentaries that strive to shed light on the most critical and urgent environmental threats the planet is currently facing. Killing the Colorado is presented in association with ProPublica, and it is based on reporter Abrahm Lustgarten’s award-winning series of the same name.

Killing the Colorado is directed by five Academy Award-winning filmmakers, and three areas of concern are featured. Rob Epstein, Jeffrey Friedman, Barbara Kopple, Alan and Susan Raymond, and Sundance Award-winning director Jesse Moss take a hard look at the problems and possible solutions to a growing problem that is described as threatening the very existence of the American West.

Most Americans realize that a lot of time, money, and effort has been spent in order to stop excessive water use in the West. While the recent harsh drought conditions have further diminished the Colorado River, which is the major source of the West’s water, Killing the Colorado will reveal how many experts are re-examining previous beliefs that weather or consumer choices were to blame for the severe shortages, but poor planning and limited policies could actually be the major factor. If this crisis is indeed man-made, then shouldn’t there be a man-made solution to the problem?

According to Discovery, Killing the Colorado will attempt to answer that question with insights and analysis from senior research scientists, water resource experts, federal government officials, state leaders, and industrial farmers. On Killing the Colorado, they will discuss their innovative and fresh ideas that could help to preserve such a precious resource that will be desperately needed now and for future generations to come.

Water resources in the western U.S. have been steadily declining, particularly over the last century. Residents must rely on several water systems, but the mighty Colorado River supplies most of the water to over 40 million people in seven states. As the need for the vital resource increases due to an exploding population and agricultural growth, water is often transported across state boundaries. This, in turn, has produced more tension between old, out-dated laws and the critical needs of today.

As a result, everyone from policymakers to Wall Street traders will be forced to find new innovative and creative systems that can protect and preserve this precious resource. Killing the Colorado examines how sustainable and realistic models must be created that can be easily replicated as water becomes scarcer around the world. This is important for the U.S. as a whole because the increase in demand isn’t ever going away, and as cities from San Diego to Denver continue their expansion, the nation as a whole will continue to be dependent on California produce to feed the nation.

“Whether you’re looking at the water in the Everglades, South Georgia, or upstate New York, everyone is going to have water problems and water challenges in one way or another and [they] are going to have to address them in different ways,” said Governor John Hickenlooper. “The West is really just the first cutting edge of this, but ultimately, the lessons we learn out here are going to have direct application to most of [the United States].”

Broadway World shared that Killing the Colorado will explore three intersecting issues that can help to explain just how the serious water crisis is, and what needs to change in order to prevent a very real catastrophe in the future.

Killing the Colorado looks at how conflicts between agricultural and urban areas continue to escalate as the demand for water increases, even as water supplies dry up. Killing the Colorado will examine how farms in the Imperial Valley of California are working together with San Diego to try and solve the problem, but shows that sometimes solutions that work for all parties involved are difficult to come by.

Dams and canals have made desert agriculture and lush urban locations, such as Las Vegas, thrive and grow over the years. That may sound like good news, but these types of infrastructure projects are proving to be very inefficient as millions of gallons of water is lost to evaporation and seepage. Killing the Colorado will take a look at the current battles ongoing over new projects as everyone struggles to get it right.

Traders have bought and sold water rights for decades, often with varying degrees of success and usually with mixed results for the people that depend on that water. Now, Killing the Colorado takes a look at how Wall Street is getting involved in the process by presenting a possible solution to localized water shortages and helping to move more water where it is needed the most. Killing the Colorado looks at whether a profit-driven model can actually benefit everyone.

What do you think that individuals and society can do to protect our water supply? Will you be checking out this special? Killing the Colorado premieres Thursday, August 4 at 9 p.m. ET exclusively on the Discovery Channel. The film will also be available on Discovery.com, Discovery Go, and Discovery On Demand on August 5.

[Image via AWS North America/Twitter]

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