Engineered rivers in arid lands: searching for sustainability in theory and practice

Kibaroğlu, Ayşegül; Schmandt, Jürgen; Ward, George H.

doi:10.1080/02508060.2017.1309906

Cited by 2 publications

(2 citation statements)

References 5 publications

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“…For water‐limited systems, the social, political, and economic challenges facing e‐flows implementation can also intensify due to shared resource conflicts driven by increasing populations and water demand. While supply augmentation strategies and river engineering through infrastructure and diversion projects has allowed populations to thrive in water‐limited systems, the long‐term sustainability of these river systems and the populations that depend on them is uncertain (Kibaroglu et al, 2017; Mekonnen & Hoekstra, 2016). For example, the states of Texas and Oklahoma expect an overall 22% and 33% increase in water demand under an expected 82% and 32% increase in population by 2060, respectively (Oklahoma Water Resources Board, 2012; Texas Water Development Board, 2012).…”

Section: Barriers To Environmental Flows Implementation In Water‐limi...mentioning

confidence: 99%

The environmental flows implementation challenge: Insights and recommendations across water‐limited systems

Wineland

Başağaoğlu²,

Fleming³

et al. 2021

WIREs Water

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Environmental flows (e‐flows) are powerful tools for sustaining freshwater biodiversity and ecosystem services, but their widespread implementation faces numerous social, political, and economic barriers. These barriers are amplified in water‐limited systems where strong trade‐offs exist between human water needs and freshwater ecosystem protection. We synthesize the complex, multidisciplinary challenges that exist in these systems to help identify targeted solutions to accelerate the adoption and implementation of environmental flows initiatives. We present case studies from three water‐limited systems in North America and synthesize the major barriers to implementing environmental flows. We identify four common barriers: (a) lack of authority to implement e‐flows in water governance structures, (b) fragmented water governance in transboundary water systems, (c) declining water availability and increasing variability under climate change, and (d) lack of consideration of non‐biophysical factors. We then formulate actionable recommendations for decision makers facing these barriers when working towards implementing environmental flows: (a) modify or establish a water governance framework to recognize or allow e‐flows, (b) strive for collaboration across political jurisdictions and social, economic, and environmental sectors, and (c) manage adaptively for climate change in e‐flows planning and recommendations. This article is categorized under: Water and Life > Conservation, Management, and Awareness Human Water > Water Governance Engineering Water > Planning Water

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Section: Barriers To Environmental Flows Implementation In Water‐limi...mentioning

confidence: 99%

The environmental flows implementation challenge: Insights and recommendations across water‐limited systems

Wineland

Başağaoğlu²,

Fleming³

et al. 2021

WIREs Water

View full text Add to dashboard Cite

show abstract

“…Reservoirs are critical infrastructures for regulating water and assuring water provision in times of scarcity, particularly in arid and semi-arid regions. Storing water during wet months and years and supplying it during dry periods provides a lifeline for urban and rural populations, industry and agriculture (De Araújo & Bronstert, 2016;Kibaroglu et al, 2017;Tortajada, 2016). The extent to which a country or region manages its hydrological variability through storage capacity can influence economic development and water security (Gaupp et al, 2015).…”

Section: Introductionmentioning

confidence: 99%

Institutions for reoperating reservoirs in semi-arid regions facing climate change and competing societal water demands: insights from Colorado

Turley

Bréthaut

Pflieger

2021

Water International

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Reservoir reoperation is analysed from the perspective of institutions (rules) governing water resources. A new definition is provided, going beyond 'modifying dam operations' found in the literature to instead focus on changes to the allocation of water stored and released from a reservoir. Through interviews and archival research, we assess 32 large reservoirs in the US state of Colorado. Using tools from institutional analysis, we find that reoperation is often the result of institutional 'crafting' by reservoir managers and water users, that property rights strongly influence outcomes, and that well-designed policy can promote water sharing in otherwise rigid institutional settings.

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Engineered rivers in arid lands: searching for sustainability in theory and practice

Cited by 2 publications

References 5 publications

The environmental flows implementation challenge: Insights and recommendations across water‐limited systems

The environmental flows implementation challenge: Insights and recommendations across water‐limited systems

Institutions for reoperating reservoirs in semi-arid regions facing climate change and competing societal water demands: insights from Colorado

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