Water is for more than just drinking
Drought, hydropower, and cross-border relations
Cultural Connection: Given that this post is about rivers, I can't help but mention my favorite song on the topic: "Take Me to the River" by the Talking Heads. (Close second is Nick Drake's "River Man"). When we mention rivers in art, music, and film, we tend to use them as metaphors for life or change, but I think it's worth mentioning that they serve another crucial function: generating and storing renewable electricity.
Background: Climate change is transforming how rainfall is distributed over the earth. If you're a Californian who experienced the assault of atmospheric rivers earlier this year, you have witnessed how dramatic and life-changing that can be. Severe droughts and flooding have dominated headlines in recent years, and that is likely to continue.
This is important because as water becomes more or less available, this puts pressure on local authorities who control dams - dams that generate electricity and manage the water supply to be used for both crop irrigation and recreational purposes.
For countries or states located upstream, the pressure to either release or hold water in their dams can cause significant effects and create tension with downstream neighbors.
Take the Mekong River, for example. The Mekong River runs through 6 countries (China, Myanmar, Thailand, Lao PDR, Cambodia, and Viet Nam) and hosts over 160 dams, which are used for hydropower generation and crop irrigation. When upstream countries (i.e. China) choose to hold or release their excess water, that can lead to unexpected effects downstream - from both a power generation and ecological perspective.
In the United States, the Colorado River runs through 7 US states and hosts 15 dams, which generates electricity for over 750,000 homes. Hydropower constitutes 53% of all renewable energy produced in the west, and the ongoing drought situation around the Colorado River has been causing concern for years.
This month, the Biden Administration announced new investments in the Colorado River system which seek to improve water conservation and promote better cooperation among the states that rely on it for water and electricity.
Key Takeaway 1: Wet and dry seasons affect more than just water supply and risk of fires. As we increasingly electrify our lives, states and countries that rely on hydropower as significant sources of electricity will need to keep in mind changing, unpredictable water levels as they plan for future electricity demand.
Key Takeaway 2: Water doesn't respect international boundaries. With historic rainfall patterns shifting, there are ample opportunities for international collaboration as well as tension.