Pacific Northwest Water Shortage

Water in the Pacific Northwest has always been important and its use plays a significant part in the history and livelihood of the region. Lauded as a climate with an excessive amount of rain, it stands to reason to believe that the Pacific Northwest is not in immediate danger from water shortage. However, it is to be noted that on average, in places like Seattle and Portland, the average rainfall (in terms of inches) is no higher-and sometimes less-than in New York. This observation is important to factor in order to understand the rather precarious position the Pacific Northwest is in. Indigenous people in the region used water for domestic purposes. Steady rainfall and overall lack of pollution made it easy to access and utilize this resource …show more content…
These were heralded as signs of human ingenuity at the time, however they came at a cost. According to the Hydropower Reform Coalition, a significant decline in water quality is one of the concerns. Organic materials from within and outside the river would build up behind dams and begin to consume a successive amount of oxygen as they decompose. This, in many cases, causes algae and in turn, creates an area that is unable to sustain any life. Another major concern is fish. Salmon numbers in the Columbia River has gone down significantly (Safina). The creation of these dams had opened up the possibility of using water as a renewable and safe alternative for power. It was an attractive prospect, however the way it was (and currently is in some places) creates a strain on the local wildlife and the ecosystem in the water. The decision however to take down the dams is one that requires significant thought. The dams that currently occupy various rivers in the Pacific Northwest generate about half the electricity in the region, while also being practically pollution free (Lillis). Despite this, there is a considerable upswing in the amount of people who call for their removal and the protection of the region’s water supply. This moves into the third …show more content…
The rising population and the increasing demand for water resources not only for domestic use but also industrial and agricultural use has created a significant strain on the water supply of the region. Climate change also exacerbates this issue, creating a situation where, when water is most needed, a shortage will occur. Increasing temperatures caused by the change in climate will have created a situation where demand is deepened on water supplies that at risk of becoming significantly diminished. Water plays a significant role in the Pacific Northwest. A rather innocuous and obvious statement on the surface, it becomes a little more complex when its impact and overall necessity is taken into consideration. The Pacific Northwest relies on the water in the region for a significant amount of its daily functions. A drought, as impossible as it may seem, would be devastating to the region. The populace of the Pacific Northwest may take some of its natural resources for granted, however it is important to understand their impact and necessity on society. The water in the Pacific Northwest was, at first, plentiful to the small inhabitants of the area, who relied on it for basic necessity. However, as time went on it became much more than a place to find food and drink from. It had become a livelihood that not only provides a number of jobs, but also keeps the region