{"product_id":"river-notes-a-natural-and-human-history-of-the-colorado-9781610910200","title":"River Notes: A Natural and Human History of the Colorado","description":"\u003cp\u003ePlugged by no fewer than twenty-five dams  the Colorado is the worlds most regulated river drainage  providing most of the water supply of Las Vegas  Tucson  and San Diego  and much of the power and water of Los Angeles and Phoenix  cities that are home to more than 25 million people. If it ceased flowing  the water held in its reservoirs might hold out for three to four years  but after that it would be necessary to abandon most of southern California and Arizona  and much of Colorado  New Mexico  Utah and Wyoming. For the entire American Southwest the Colorado is indeed the river of life  which makes it all the more tragic and ironic that by the time it approaches its final destination  it has been reduced to a shadow upon the sand  its delta dry and deserted  its flow a toxic trickle seeping into the sea.  In this remarkable blend of history  science  and personal observation  acclaimed author Wade Davis tells the story of Americas Nile  how it once flowed freely and how human intervention has left it near exhaustion  altering the water temperature  volume  local species  and shoreline of the river Theodore Roosevelt once urged us to leave it as it is. Yet despite a century of human interference  Davis writes  the splendor of the Colorado lives on in the rivers remaining wild rapids  quiet pools  and sweeping canyons. The story of the Colorado River is the human quest for progress and its inevitable if unintended effectsand an opportunity to learn from past mistakes and foster the rebirth of Americas most iconic waterway.  A beautifully told story of historical adventure and natural beauty  River Notes is a fascinating journey down the river and through mankinds complicated and destructive relationship with one of its greatest natural resources.\u003c\/p\u003e","brand":"My Store","offers":[{"title":"Default Title","offer_id":45953337327669,"sku":"ByrdShop_1610910206","price":22.01,"currency_code":"USD","in_stock":true}],"thumbnail_url":"\/\/cdn.shopify.com\/s\/files\/1\/0627\/8139\/0901\/files\/9781610910200.jpg?v=1788185634","url":"https:\/\/atxbooks.com\/products\/river-notes-a-natural-and-human-history-of-the-colorado-9781610910200","provider":"ATX Books","version":"1.0","type":"link"}