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Desert Water: The Future of Utah's Water Resources
Hal Crimmel has brought the findings of science together with the experienced voices of environmental social scientists, humanists, and activists to provide perspective on Utah water issues. The matters discussed are relevant beyond this one state, as similar conditions and concerns, especially over supply and demand in the face of demographic and climate change, exist throughout the West. Some of the essays are scientific and analytical; others literary and personal. Together they draw attention to problems that Utah residents and policy makers must address but also emphasize ways to build solutions. Desert Water will help citizens, policy makers, and anyone interested in Utah’s water supply and use―as everyone in the state should be―understand the real challengesand ethicsinvolved in managing this vital, finite resource. By awareness, these essays should create a sense of urgency for finding workable solutions.
272 pages, Paperback
First published September 1, 2014
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February 25, 2025
Chapter-by-chapter summaries below.
I chose this book because I am teaching a class this fall at Snow College that is a skills-based class on how to write a college research paper. All students will do a paper on a subtopic related to water conservation in Utah. This book was published in 2014, so it's a little dated. (It would be great if someone did another collection of essays!) Nevertheless, it's helping me get a sense of some of the issues.
Introduction by Hal Crimmel gives a brief overview of the various threats to levels of water in Utah (periodic drought; expanding population; overuse by agriculture, industry, and recreation; pollution; upstream water use, climate change, etc.) before giving a brief description of each chapter.
The Coming Challenge by Eric C. Ewert describes the stress rising populations and climate change put on the snowpack, reservoirs, rivers, aquifers, and wells of Utah. Also the culinary water policies are too cheap and permissive, encouraging water waste. "Over the last half century. . . Utah has burgeoned by an extraordinary 210 percent. . . [compared to] the rest of the booming American west averag[ing] 156 percent" (15). Residence use on average 295 gallons a day (2000 data).
The Miracle at the End of the Line by Stephen Trimble explains how water works in arid Wayne county, using the village of Torrey (pop. 180) as the focus. He references Dale Pierson of the Utah Rural Water Association who emphasizes that rural residents need affordable water that is reliable, safe, and clean (37). He traces the history of water management back 100 years and describes present challenges.
Bear River by Craig Denton describes use, legislation, and threats to the watershed and river. Bear ?River also supplies 60% of the water going into the Great Salt Lake. Utah state climatologist Robert Gillies notes that "the snow cover across Utah has decreased 35 percent over the past 50 years" which he hopes will lead to reexamining water policies (47). Denton predicts user fees will start (or increase) as a way to strongarm people into conserving water.
The Restoration of All Things by George Handley is an essay that argues for an ethics for stewardship over water use. It's the most philosophical and idealistic piece in the collection. His essay outlines 6 pro-environmental stances that can be tied to LDS theology, which he terms ecotheology. He calls out the "human hubris [that acts] perpetually in our own self-interest (76-77).
Climate Change and the Future of the Great Salt Lake by Daniel Bedford describes the businesses that depend on the Great Salt Lake and how changes to the water level changes their productivity.
Chicken Little's New Career: How Utah's Water Development Industry Sows False Fears and Misinformation by Zachary Frankel argues that Utah has plenty of water.
Time to Rethink Policy: Ideas for Improving the Health of Great Salt Lake by Rob Dubuc suggests curbing businesses using the Great Salt Lake as well as slightly changing the road that bisects the lake.
The Colorado: Archtypal River by Brooke Williams is a personal essay that is very lyric and idealistic. It shows the human connection to nature.
Going with the Flow: Navigating to Stream Access Consensus by Sara Dant explains the tensions in Utah between making it illegal to fish or float on rivers that pass through private property and the push to allow public access to these waterways. (Her bias is for access.)
The Return of Glen Canyon: The Beginning of a More Sustainable Future for the Colorado by Annette McGivney
Climate change and overallocation of the Colorado River have decreased the size of Lake Powell, exposing side canyons submerged for decades. The frame of this essay generates the return of a lost riparian ecology. However, the communities that depend on the Colorado have an unsure future, including the hydropower from dams.
Land of 20,000 Wells: Impacts on Water from Oil and Gas Development in Eastern Utah by Hal Crimmel
Fracking and other actions by the oil industry introduces chemicals into groundwater and drinking water. Other effects include air pollution and destruction of wildlife pathways. Great diagram of fracking and water contamination.
Moving Water by Jana Richman starts off talking about a pipeline to move more water to Las Vegas (including taking water from Utah); however, she not only describes specifics about various sources of water and a handful of water projects, she also takes a big picture view of water in arid places like Utah and the need to seriously change the way humans use (and waste) water.
A New Water Ethic by Daniel McCool. He addresses the water crisis in these sections: valuing water, water as a human right, no harm, public participation, and stewardship. I wish his vision could be implemented, but current events has me fear that the rich will continue to represent their own interests even if this means short-term gains over long-
term devastation. The human race is destroying the environment. It’s tragic. My poor children will inherit a devastated environment.
I chose this book because I am teaching a class this fall at Snow College that is a skills-based class on how to write a college research paper. All students will do a paper on a subtopic related to water conservation in Utah. This book was published in 2014, so it's a little dated. (It would be great if someone did another collection of essays!) Nevertheless, it's helping me get a sense of some of the issues.
Introduction by Hal Crimmel gives a brief overview of the various threats to levels of water in Utah (periodic drought; expanding population; overuse by agriculture, industry, and recreation; pollution; upstream water use, climate change, etc.) before giving a brief description of each chapter.
The Coming Challenge by Eric C. Ewert describes the stress rising populations and climate change put on the snowpack, reservoirs, rivers, aquifers, and wells of Utah. Also the culinary water policies are too cheap and permissive, encouraging water waste. "Over the last half century. . . Utah has burgeoned by an extraordinary 210 percent. . . [compared to] the rest of the booming American west averag[ing] 156 percent" (15). Residence use on average 295 gallons a day (2000 data).
The Miracle at the End of the Line by Stephen Trimble explains how water works in arid Wayne county, using the village of Torrey (pop. 180) as the focus. He references Dale Pierson of the Utah Rural Water Association who emphasizes that rural residents need affordable water that is reliable, safe, and clean (37). He traces the history of water management back 100 years and describes present challenges.
Bear River by Craig Denton describes use, legislation, and threats to the watershed and river. Bear ?River also supplies 60% of the water going into the Great Salt Lake. Utah state climatologist Robert Gillies notes that "the snow cover across Utah has decreased 35 percent over the past 50 years" which he hopes will lead to reexamining water policies (47). Denton predicts user fees will start (or increase) as a way to strongarm people into conserving water.
The Restoration of All Things by George Handley is an essay that argues for an ethics for stewardship over water use. It's the most philosophical and idealistic piece in the collection. His essay outlines 6 pro-environmental stances that can be tied to LDS theology, which he terms ecotheology. He calls out the "human hubris [that acts] perpetually in our own self-interest (76-77).
Climate Change and the Future of the Great Salt Lake by Daniel Bedford describes the businesses that depend on the Great Salt Lake and how changes to the water level changes their productivity.
Chicken Little's New Career: How Utah's Water Development Industry Sows False Fears and Misinformation by Zachary Frankel argues that Utah has plenty of water.
Time to Rethink Policy: Ideas for Improving the Health of Great Salt Lake by Rob Dubuc suggests curbing businesses using the Great Salt Lake as well as slightly changing the road that bisects the lake.
The Colorado: Archtypal River by Brooke Williams is a personal essay that is very lyric and idealistic. It shows the human connection to nature.
Going with the Flow: Navigating to Stream Access Consensus by Sara Dant explains the tensions in Utah between making it illegal to fish or float on rivers that pass through private property and the push to allow public access to these waterways. (Her bias is for access.)
The Return of Glen Canyon: The Beginning of a More Sustainable Future for the Colorado by Annette McGivney
Climate change and overallocation of the Colorado River have decreased the size of Lake Powell, exposing side canyons submerged for decades. The frame of this essay generates the return of a lost riparian ecology. However, the communities that depend on the Colorado have an unsure future, including the hydropower from dams.
Land of 20,000 Wells: Impacts on Water from Oil and Gas Development in Eastern Utah by Hal Crimmel
Fracking and other actions by the oil industry introduces chemicals into groundwater and drinking water. Other effects include air pollution and destruction of wildlife pathways. Great diagram of fracking and water contamination.
Moving Water by Jana Richman starts off talking about a pipeline to move more water to Las Vegas (including taking water from Utah); however, she not only describes specifics about various sources of water and a handful of water projects, she also takes a big picture view of water in arid places like Utah and the need to seriously change the way humans use (and waste) water.
A New Water Ethic by Daniel McCool. He addresses the water crisis in these sections: valuing water, water as a human right, no harm, public participation, and stewardship. I wish his vision could be implemented, but current events has me fear that the rich will continue to represent their own interests even if this means short-term gains over long-
term devastation. The human race is destroying the environment. It’s tragic. My poor children will inherit a devastated environment.
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