Course Summary
In this course, you will learn about the importance of water in the United States, its distribution, and management. You will also explore the challenges and solutions to water management in the US.Key Learning Points
- Understand the importance of water in the United States
- Learn about the distribution and management of water in the US
- Discover the challenges and solutions to water management in the US
Related Topics for further study
Learning Outcomes
- Understand the importance of water in the US and its distribution
- Identify water management challenges and solutions
- Develop strategies for water conservation and treatment
Prerequisites or good to have knowledge before taking this course
- Basic knowledge of science
- Interest in water management and conservation
Course Difficulty Level
IntermediateCourse Format
- Online
- Self-paced
- Video lectures
Similar Courses
- Water Management and Policy
- Climate Change and Water in Mountains
Related Education Paths
- Water Resource Management Certificate Program
- Environmental Policy and Management Certificate Program
Related Books
Description
This course combines an overview of the science behind water and climate in the Western United States with a survey of the major legal, political, and cultural issues focused on this precious resource.
Knowledge
- Understand the unique aspects of water supply and demand issues in the western US and how water systems have adapted to them.
- Explain historical and scientific issues around water management in the western US.
- Recognize major sources of water supplies in the western US and the impact of individual “water footprints."
- Describe some of the ways in which scientists study research questions related to water and climate in the western US.
Outline
- Course Introduction
- Why Study Water in the West
- Important Things to Know About the Course
- Geography of the West
- Review of the Water Cycle (with a focus on the Western US)
- So You Want to Learn about Water?
- Water Footprint Activity
- [OPTIONAL] Atlas of the New West
- [OPTIONAL] Beyond the Hundreth Meridian
- [OPTIONAL] Climatic fluctuations, drought, and flow in the Colorado River Basin
- History, Politics, and Culture of Water Development in the Western US
- History and Development of Water in the West
- Native American Tribes and Water
- Water Storage and Delivery Infrastructure
- Prior Appropriation
- Interstate Water Conflicts and Agreements
- Environmental Flows and the Endangered Species Act
- [OPTIONAL] Report on the Lands of the Arid Region of the United States
- [OPTIONAL] Colorado River Basin Ten Tribes Partnership Tribal Water Study
- [OPTIONAL] The Emerging Tribal Role in the Colorado River Basin
- [OPTIONAL] Suggestions for further reading
- History, Politics, and Culture Quiz
- Water Footprint Challenge Part 1
- Hydrology, Water Demand, and Climate in the Western US
- Climate in the Western US and Water Resources
- Water Quality, Aquatic Habitat, and Drinking Water
- Groundwater Resources
- Watershed Impacts
- River and Flash Flooding
- Impacts of Climate Change in the Interior West
- Water Demand for Agriculture
- Water Demand for Urban Areas
- [OPTIONAL] Assessment of Climate Change in the Southwestern United States
- [OPTIONAL] Climate Change in Colorado: A Synthesis to Support Water Resources Management and Adaptation
- [OPTIONAL] Colorado Climate Change Vulnerability Study
- [OPTIONAL] Water to Supply the Land: Irrigated Agriculture in the Colorado River Basin
- [OPTIONAL] Municipal Deliveries of Colorado River Basin Water
- [OPTIONAL] The twenty-first century Colorado River hot drought and implications for the future
- [OPTIONAL] When is Drought Not a Drought? Drought, Aridification, and the “New Normal”
- [OPTIONAL] Climate Change and the Colorado River: What We Already Know
- [OPTIONAL] New House, New Paradigm: A Model for How to Plan, Build, and Live Water-Smart
- [OPTIONAL] Understanding California’s Groundwater
- Hydrology, Water Demand, and Climate Quiz
- Water Footprint Challenge Part 2
- Case Study: The Colorado River Basin
- Geographic and Physical Overview of the Colorado River Basin
- History of Development of the Colorado River Basin
- Climate and the Colorado River Basin: Past, Present, and Future
- The Colorado River Basin Water Supply and Demand Study
- Physical Attributes of the Colorado River and Experimental Flows in the Grand Canyon
- [OPTIONAL] Colorado River Basin Water Supply and Demand Study
- [OPTIONAL] The Exploration of the Colorado River and Its Canyons
- [OPTIONAL] Water is For Fighting Over and Other Myths about Water in the West
- [OPTIONAL] Downriver: Into the Future of Water in the West
- [OPTIONAL] Colorado River Drought Contingency Plans
- [OPTIONAL] West wrestles with Colorado River “grand bargain” as changing climate depletes water governed by 1922 compact
- [OPTIONAL] First-ever mandatory water cutbacks will kick in next year along the Colorado River
- Colorado River Basin Quiz
- Water Footprint Challenge Part 3
- Controversial Issues and the Future of Water in the Western US
- A Growing Controversy: Hydraulic Fracturing and Water Supplies
- Understanding Water Quality Impacts: Boulder Creek Case Study
- Science, Management, and Reality: The Story of the California Bay Delta
- Doing More With Less: Water Conservation and New Supplies in Las Vegas
- A Collision of Impacts: The Water-Energy Nexus
- What Does the Future Hold?
- [OPTIONAL] EPA's Study of Hydraulic Fracturing and Its Potential Impact on Drinking Water Resources
- [OPTIONAL] The role of precipitation type, intensity, and spatial distribution in source water quality after wildfire
- [OPTIONAL] Sacramento-San Joaquin Delta Historical Ecology Investigation: Exploring Pattern and Process
- [OPTIONAL] Freshwater Use by U.S. Power Plants
- [OPTIONAL] Conservation Oriented Rate Structures
- [OPTIONAL] Third Intake Documentary
- Controversial and Complex Topics Quiz
Summary of User Reviews
The Water in the United States course on Coursera is a great resource for anyone interested in learning about water resources in the US. Many users found the course to be informative and well-structured.Key Aspect Users Liked About This Course
The course provides a comprehensive overview of the water system in the United States, covering everything from water pollution to water management practices.Pros from User Reviews
- Informative and well-structured course material
- Engaging and knowledgeable instructors
- Easy to follow and understand
- Great resource for anyone interested in water resources
- Interactive assignments and quizzes
Cons from User Reviews
- Some users found the course to be too basic
- The course may not be suitable for those looking for in-depth technical information
- The course material may not be relevant to those outside of the US
- Limited interaction with other students
- The course may require a significant time commitment
Eric Gordon
4.8 Raiting
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