"Illuminating." -New York Times
WIRED's Required Science Reading 2016
When we think of water in the West, we think of conflict and crisis. In recent years, newspaper headlines have screamed, "Scarce water and the death of California farms," "The Dust Bowl returns," "A 'megadrought' will grip U.S. in the coming decades." Yet similar stories have been appearing for decades and the taps continue to flow. John Fleck argues that the talk of impending doom is not only untrue, but dangerous. When people get scared, they fight for the last drop of water; but when they actually have less, they use less.
Having covered environmental issues in the West for a quarter century, Fleck would be the last writer to discount the serious problems posed by a dwindling Colorado River. But in that time, Fleck has also seen people in the Colorado River Basin come together, conserve, and share the water that is available. Western communities, whether farmers and city-dwellers or US environmentalists and Mexican water managers, have a promising record of cooperation, a record often obscured by the crisis narrative.
In this fresh take on western water, Fleck brings to light the true history of collaboration and examines the bonds currently being forged to solve the Basin's most dire threats. Rather than perpetuate the myth "Whiskey's for drinkin', water's for fightin' over," Fleck urges readers to embrace a new, more optimistic narrative-a future where the Colorado continues to flow.
"An insightful, behind-the-scenes look into water management in the West. The book not only explores the daunting challenges of growth and drought, but most importantly, highlights the many collaborative solutions that are the real, untold story of the last 15 years of the Colorado River."---Jeffrey Kightlinger, General Manager, Metropolitan Water District of Southern California "Illuminating." "Fleck's engaging journalistic odyssey...argues persuasively that the battle for water is not a zero-sum game." ""Turn[s] the water crisis narrative on its head...an important book for all Westerners." " "Thought-provoking." "
"This is not just a book for water wonks. Even if you care only enough to skim the headlines about the shrinking Salton Sea or Lake Mead's burgeoning bathtub ring, Fleck's book overall is a clear-eyed look at both the systemic inefficiencies in how water is used in the West and the smart ways they can be addressed."
" "John Fleck's Water is for Fighting Over is a smart, provocative, and ultimately hopeful look at how to solve water conflicts in the Colorado River Basin, the lifeline of the American Southwest. Fleck walks us away from the doomsday mentality of conflict and crisis toward a future that's already emerging-one of mutual adaptation that capitalizes on the numerous untapped opportunities to do more, and better, with less water. The story of the West is indeed a story of water, but not the narrative we've had drummed into our heads."---Sandra Postel, Director, Global Water Policy Project and co-author of "Rivers for Life" ""In 13 concise chapters, Fleck...illustrates how states, communities, and water rights holders have learned that the winner-takes-all approach to water management is a losing proposition." " "Very entertaining and insightful perspectives about some of the most complex issues facing the Colorado River basin."---Bart Fisher, President, Colorado River Water Users Association and 3rd generation farmer "Amidst the gloom of prophesies about water shortages soon to beset the Colorado River Basin states, along comes seasoned journalist John Fleck with a powerfully optimistic narrative. In his telling, there is enough water, so long as the states converse rather than condemn, and collaborate rather than litigate. His fresh insights on the challenges facing the American Southwest should inspire everyone who cares about our most iconic river."---Robert Glennon, author of "Unquenchable: Amer
