Up here at the other end of The Grand River, we're actually starting to use all of "our" allocation. Unfortunately the lower basin states got used to the northern states leaving extra water in the river. The compact states are in the middle of another negotiation. Both upper and lower basin groups have made proposals that neither side likes, so it looks like the new allocation plan will fall to the federal government to figure out. Also, because of the compact the rule of using water on your land no longer applies. Water rights fall under complex definitions of senior and junior rights, most of which are attached to land that are not transferable. So there are ranches that are potentially worth millions because they have a senior water right, but if the property is sold will be far less valuable because the rights can't be sold. A few families are basically stuck with land that cannot be sold.
A really good overview of the river and construction of the Hoover Dam can be found in the book "Colossus: The Turbulent, Thrilling Saga of the Building of the Hoover Dam." Michael Hiltzik gives a good account of the history, ecology and justification for the Hoover Dam in context with the Colorado River Compact and early 20th century politics.
Up here at the other end of The Grand River, we're actually starting to use all of "our" allocation. Unfortunately the lower basin states got used to the northern states leaving extra water in the river. The compact states are in the middle of another negotiation. Both upper and lower basin groups have made proposals that neither side likes, so it looks like the new allocation plan will fall to the federal government to figure out. Also, because of the compact the rule of using water on your land no longer applies. Water rights fall under complex definitions of senior and junior rights, most of which are attached to land that are not transferable. So there are ranches that are potentially worth millions because they have a senior water right, but if the property is sold will be far less valuable because the rights can't be sold. A few families are basically stuck with land that cannot be sold.
A really good overview of the river and construction of the Hoover Dam can be found in the book "Colossus: The Turbulent, Thrilling Saga of the Building of the Hoover Dam." Michael Hiltzik gives a good account of the history, ecology and justification for the Hoover Dam in context with the Colorado River Compact and early 20th century politics.