Wyoming's Basins
by Eric Peterson
WYOMING
IS A HEADWATER STATE WHERE WATER LEAVES IN FOURTEEN DIFFERENT DRAINAGES. TODAY
WE ARE WEST OF THE CONTINENTAL DIVIDE IN
THE GREEN RIVER BASIN.
THE
GREEN RIVER BASIN IS A GOOD ILLUSTRATION
OF WATER'S IMPORTANCE TO THE ECONOMY OF THE STATE OF WYOMING.
IN
THIS GREEN RIVER BASIN ALONE THREE HUNDRED THIRTY THOUSAND ACRES OF
AGRICULTURAL LAND ARE IRRIGATED. BASIN
WATER COOLS TWO POWER PLANTS AND SUPPLIES WATER TO THE WORLD CLASS SIZED TRONA
INDUSTRY.
TWELVE
TOWNS DRINK ITS FLOWS AND PROVIDES LOTS OF RECREATION. AND OH! THE
FISHING! NOT TO MENTION THE HUNDREDS OF
MILES OF RIPARIAN HABITAT AND ALL THE WILDLIFE THE STREAMS AND AGRICULTURE
SUPPORT.
IN
THE HEADWATERS, WE'VE GOT WATER. WATCH
OUT THOUGH! . . . BECAUSE OTHERS WILL
WANT IT.
THINK
ABOUT THE VORACIOUS WATER APPETITE OF DOWNSTREAM STATES FOR THEIR AGRICULTURAL,
INDUSTRIAL AND MUNICIPAL USES.
THINK
ABOUT THE LEGAL BATTLES OF THE FUTURE WHEN THEY COME FOR WYOMING'S WATER!
MEANWHILE,
UPSTREAM HERE IN THE HEADWATERS, WATER TRULY IS THE CHARACTERISTIC COMMON TO
ALL SEGMENTS OF WYOMING'S ECONOMY.
FROM
THE UNIVERSITY OF WYOMING COOPERATIVE EXTENSION SERVICE, I'M ERIC PETERSON.