Includes bibliographical references (pages 247-273) and index.

Part 1. A river through time. Conquering the wild Colorado : the river before 1945 ; Farming the desert : agricultural water demands ; Saving the river : the environmental movement ; Sharing the shortage : a river in control -- Part 2. Currents of today. The metropolis and the desert : growing cities in the West ; Owning the river : Indian water rights and settlements ; Crossing the border : US-Mexico relations and the river ; The water market : banking and selling the Colorado River -- Conclusion. "The Colorado River is a vital resource to urban and agricultural communities across the Southwest, providing water to 30 million people. Contested Waters tells the river's story-a story of conquest, control, division, and depletion. Beginning in prehistory and continuing into the present day, Contested Waters focuses on three important and often overlooked aspects of the river's use: the role of western water law in its over-allocation, the complexity of power relationships surrounding the river, and the concept of sustainable use and how it has been either ignored or applied in recent times. It is organized in two parts, the first addresses the chronological history of the river and long-term issues, while the second examines in more detail four specific topics: metropolitan perceptions, American Indian water rights, US-Mexico relations over the river, and water marketing issues. Creating a complete picture of the evolution of this crucial yet over-utilized resource, this comprehensive summary will fascinate anyone interested in the Colorado River or the environmental history of the Southwest."--Publisher's website.