Dry Spring: The Coming Water Crisis of North America

by Chris Wood

Between global warming and ever-increasing consumption, the world is fast running out of water. And while water's scarcity will challenge the success of North America’s fastest-growing regions, other areas of the continent will experience dramatic flooding. Dry Spring looks at how the coming water crisis will devastate communities unless urgent action is taken. In many areas, the damage has already begun. Author Chris Wood relates compelling stories of people all over the continent coping with new conditions: Okanagan orchardists facing an uncertain future; a Mexican fisherman on the now-dry Colorado River Delta, which has been reduced to desert because of upstream usage by the American West; a Las Vegas water cop who monitors excessive lawn watering; a New Brunswick couple fleeing their coastal house because of the encroaching ocean; and more. Wood also shows how practical solutions like xeriscaping, water “recycling,” and run-off containment can preserve water for future generations.

Genres: Nonfiction, Environment

350 pages, Paperback

First published March 1, 2008

Reviews

[Kirsten · Rating 4 out of 5]

Told from a Canadian's perspective (which is different, might I add), this book covers major water issues in North America.

It's mostly anecdotal, talking with farmers and people agitating for change, but informative nonetheless. It does beat the Colorado River horse some more, but for the most part doesn't really stick to one example or topic forever, making the book much more readable than some other water crisis books out there.

I think the most intriguing part as an American was the Canadian perspective. A lot of the examples were from Canada, both successes and failures, which I find interesting coming from the world's most water-rich nation.

[David Johnsen · Rating 4 out of 5]

I've read two dozen books about water issues, and what sets "Dry Spring" apart is its Canadian point of view. Wood describes many issues and projects in Canada that aren't covered in other books. He also gives a good explanation of how global climate works and how warming will affect weather patterns. When the book turns to what can be done, Wood takes on Maude Barlow and other "aqua-nationalists" who are convinced the United States will use trade agreements to take Canadian water. It gets a bit wonkish, but I got a kick out of this domestic water war (of words).

While the title sets the scope to North America, Wood touches on many other water systems around the world. Those digressions to other continents are a bit distracting. I would rather have read more about Mexico beyond the Colorado River delta instead.

Overall, even though this book is more than a decade old, it contains a lot of interesting and still-relevant stories and information.

[Ken Proudfoot · Rating 4 out of 5]

A sobering assessment of where we are as a nation as we continue to use more water with zero new sources of water. A great primer for environmental and water specialists.

[Michelle · Rating 3 out of 5]

The author takes a look at how our climate appears to be changing with particular focus on changes in water surpluses and shortages. His premise is not that the earth is facing a water shortage, but rather a water distribution crisis. His suggestion is that we fully recover the costs of our natural resources within the pricing structure of goods and services believing that the market is the best means for modifying behavior. He also looks at novel approaches being taken to fix the problem such as storing water in existing aquifers instead of reservoirs, separating potable water from other needs and designing plumbing accordingly, etc.

The book is interesting and has a good balance of statistics and anecdotes. The author is Canadian so there's a definite Canadian perspective to the book--it's not a bad thing, necessarily, just different.

While there is some information about what individuals can do, this is primarily a big picture book and details efforts that the author believes need to be taken at the governmental level--be that a water district, municipality, state, province, or country.

[Gilesslade · Rating 5 out of 5]

Years ago while living in Southern California, I read a great book about America's wanton attitude towards its freshwater called Cadillac Desert. Chris Wood has advanced the theme into the 21st century in an elegant and complete book that pulls you effortlessly through a mountain of fact and story. Gradually your eyes widen and your jaw drops as Wood convinces you of the depth of a water crisis that will impact North Americans from Tobasco to Tuktoyaktuk irrespective of national borders. You need to read this book.

[Patsy · Rating 5 out of 5]

Southwestern water is going to go to Canada with climate change. If we conserve and use water differently, we can mitigate water shortage. One mistake is not to charge real costs for water.