Member-only story

Cadillac Desert: Unraveling the Epic Saga of Water and the American West

Jeffrey Hayes

·17.4k Followers· Follow

Published in Summary Analysis: Cadillac Desert By Marc Reisner: The American West And Its Disappearing Water

8 min read

850 View Claps

50 Respond

Save

Listen

In his groundbreaking work of environmental history, Cadillac Desert, Marc Reisner traces the complex relationship between water and the American West. Reisner's vivid prose and meticulous research paint a compelling portrait of the region's water battles, its booming cities, and its fragile ecosystems.

Summary & Analysis: Cadillac Desert by Marc Reisner: The American West and Its Disappearing Water

by Elizabella Baker

5 out of 5

Language	:	English
Text-to-Speech	:	Enabled
Enhanced typesetting	:	Enabled
Lending	:	Enabled
File size	:	172 KB
Screen Reader	:	Supported
Print length	:	36 pages

Cadillac Desert begins with the story of the Colorado River, the lifeblood of the American West. Reisner describes the river's origins in the Rocky Mountains and its journey through the Grand Canyon and into the Gulf of California. He shows how the Colorado's water has been diverted and dammed to create a vast network of canals and reservoirs that have transformed the desert landscape.

But Reisner also shows the consequences of this water development. He describes the environmental damage that has been caused by the damming of the Colorado River, including the loss of wetlands, the decline of fish populations, and the increasing salinity of the river's water. He also explores the social and economic problems that have been caused by the West's reliance on imported water, including the rising cost of water, the depletion of aquifers, and the increasing frequency of droughts.

Cadillac Desert is a powerful and cautionary tale about the dangers of overusing our water resources. Reisner's book is a must-read for anyone who wants to understand the environmental challenges facing the American West.

The Colorado River: A Lifeline and a Source of Conflict

The Colorado River is the lifeblood of the American West. It provides water for drinking, irrigation, and hydropower to millions of people in seven states and Mexico. But the Colorado River is also a source of conflict. The river's water has been diverted and dammed to create a vast network of canals and reservoirs, which has transformed the desert landscape.

The first major dam on the Colorado River was the Hoover Dam, which was completed in 1936. Hoover Dam created Lake Mead, the largest reservoir in the United States. Lake Mead provides water for the city of Las Vegas and for irrigation in the Imperial Valley of California. But Hoover Dam also has had a negative impact on the environment. The dam has blocked the flow of sediment into the Gulf of California, which has caused the loss of wetlands and the decline of fish populations. The dam has also caused the salinity of the Colorado River's water to increase.

The Glen Canyon Dam, which was completed in 1963, is another major dam on the Colorado River. Glen Canyon Dam created Lake Powell, the second largest reservoir in the United States. Lake Powell provides water for the city of Phoenix and for irrigation in the Central Arizona Project. But Glen Canyon Dam has also had a negative impact on the environment. The dam has flooded the Glen Canyon, a spectacular gorge that was once a popular tourist destination. The dam has also caused the loss of fish populations and the decline of water quality in the Colorado River.

The Colorado River is a lifeline for the American West, but it is also a source of conflict. The river's water has been diverted and dammed to create a vast network of canals and reservoirs, which has transformed the desert landscape. But this water development has also had a negative impact on the environment, including the loss of wetlands, the decline of fish populations, and the increasing salinity of the river's water.

The Boom and Bust of Western Cities

The American West has been shaped by the boom and bust cycle of its cities. In the early 1900s, cities like Los Angeles, Las Vegas, and Phoenix experienced rapid growth as people flocked to the region in search of opportunity. But this growth was often unsustainable, as the cities relied heavily on imported water and other resources.

Los Angeles is a prime example of a city that has experienced both boom and bust. In the early 1900s, Los Angeles grew rapidly as it became a major center for the film and entertainment industry. The city's population also grew as people moved to Los Angeles in search of a better life. But Los Angeles's growth was dependent on imported water, which was diverted from the Owens Valley, a rural area north of the city.

The Owens Valley was once a thriving agricultural community. But in the early 1900s, the city of Los Angeles began to divert water from the valley to meet its growing needs. This led to the decline of the Owens Valley's agricultural economy and the displacement of its residents. The Owens Valley's story is a cautionary tale about the dangers of unsustainable water development.

Las Vegas is another city that has experienced boom and bust. Las Vegas was founded in 1905 as a railroad stop. But the city's real growth began in the 1940s, when it became a popular destination for gambling and entertainment. Las Vegas's growth was fueled by the construction of dams on the Colorado River, which provided the city with a reliable source of water.

But Las Vegas's growth has also been unsustainable. The city relies heavily on imported water, which is increasingly scarce. Las Vegas is also facing a number of other challenges, including climate change, which is causing the region to become hotter and drier. The future of Las Vegas is uncertain, but the city's boom and bust history is a reminder of the challenges that face Western cities.

The Fragile Ecosystems of the American West

The American West is home to some of the most fragile ecosystems in the United States. These ecosystems are adapted to the region's dry climate and sparse vegetation. But they are also vulnerable to human activity, including water development, grazing, and mining.

The Salton Sea is a prime example of a fragile ecosystem that has been damaged by human activity. The Salton Sea is a shallow lake located in the Imperial Valley of California. The lake was created in 1905 when the Colorado River flooded into the Imperial Valley. The Salton Sea became a popular destination for recreation and fishing. But in the 1960s, the Colorado River was diverted away from the Salton Sea, and the lake began to dry up.

The drying up of the Salton Sea has had a devastating impact on the lake's ecosystem. The lake's salinity has increased, and its fish populations have declined. The Salton Sea is now a major source of dust pollution, which can cause respiratory problems for people who live nearby. The Salton Sea's story is a reminder of the dangers of human activity to fragile ecosystems.

The American West is a land of contrasts. It is a land of towering mountains, vast deserts, and sparkling rivers. But it is also a land of fragile ecosystems and unsustainable water development. Cadillac Desert is a powerful and cautionary tale about the dangers of overusing our water resources and the importance of protecting our fragile ecosystems.

Summary & Analysis: Cadillac Desert by Marc Reisner: The American West and Its Disappearing Water

by Elizabella Baker

5 out of 5