“Killing the Colorado” Highlights Water Woes

Water is a precious commodity here in the desert, in Southern California and indeed in the entire West.

The drought is highlighting some issues we’re facing with water shortages, and filmmakers are working to expose those problems.

A documentary that will premiere on the Discovery channel August 4th is titled "Killing the Colorado."

That river is of vital importance to us here, in the valley.

"Seven states, two nations, 40 plus million people, maybe 5 million acres of irrigated farmland all depend on this water," said Brad Udall, a senior research scientist with Colorado State University.

The documentary, "Killing the Colorado," says many problems plague the great river from drought, to desert farming and a growing population.

"It’s something we’ve been grappling with for over a century, but it’s something we’re going to have to able to deal with or we’re not going to be able to sustain life in the West," said "Killing the Colorado" filmmaker, Jeffrey Friedman.

The Colorado River runs through in Indio, traveling here from the All-American Canal.
The rights to the mighty river were split up among states nearly a century ago.

"The Coachella Valley Water District was actually at the table negotiating for our share of Colorado River water back in 1922. I dare say that if it were not for the Colorado River coming to the Coachella Valley, the valley would not be anything like it is today," said Robert Keeran with the Coachella Valley Water District.

The water is used here for agriculture, irrigation, and to replenish our underground water, the aquifer.

"I think ‘Killing the Colorado’ is a rather harsh term, because the Colorado is not going to run out of water, what is happening is  there’s a better realization of the amounts of water that are available," said Keeran.

The water district says agencies are working together on conservation.
The documentary’s filmmakers hope this gets the conversation going.

"About this problem that is affecting us all, and it going to continue to affect us, and that we’re going to have to address if we’re going to survive," said Friedman.

The documentary "Killing the Colorado" will air on Discovery August 4th at 9pm: part of their Discovery Impact series.
A river that has an impact on us.