Water in the Western United States (Coursera)

What You Will Learn

- Understand the unique aspects of water supply and demand issues in the western US and how water systems have adapted to them.

- Explain historical and scientific issues around water management in the western US.

- Recognize major sources of water supplies in the western US and the impact of individual “water footprints."

- Describe some of the ways in which scientists study research questions related to water and climate in the western US.

Syllabus

WEEK 1

Course Introduction

Are you ready? In this module, we introduce you to how the course works, describe the unique nature of water issues in the American West, and provide important background that will orient you to the region we are studying and the science of hydrology. Let's get started!

WEEK 2

History, Politics, and Culture of Water Development in the Western US

How did the American West end up with many of the world's largest dams? How does the West's unique legal system for allocating water work? Who gets the right to use water how, and why? We'll cover these topics and more in our module on history, politics, and culture!

WEEK 3

Hydrology, Water Demand, and Climate in the Western US

Is the West drying up? What happens to a watershed when many of the trees in it die? Let's explore the major scientific issues related to water in the American West. Along the way, we'll hear from a number of experts working on some of the latest cutting-edge research in hydrology, ecology, climate, and more!

WEEK 4

Case Study: The Colorado River Basin

The Colorado River is a vital source of drinking water for nearly 40 million people and supplies countless farms across a parched landscape. Cutting through nearly 1,500 miles of mountains and deserts, the Colorado's small size belies the fact that it is one of the most intensively managed and litigated rivers in the world. That makes this river perfect for exploring many of the concepts we've covered already in our course.