Which of the following characterizations regarding Colorado River discharges and annual budgets is correct?
A) There are adequate average flows (1930-1980) in the system to meet the Compact (1923) and Mexican Water Treaty (1944) allotments.
B) The reservoirs that are in operation experience insignificant losses of water due to rock storage and evaporation.
C) The average flows in the second half of this century are more than double the budgeted amount.
D) The river system is about 3.5 million acre-feet in deficit from meeting annual budgets based on average flows from 1930 to 1980.

Question

Quizplus · Accepted Answer

According to the given information, the Colorado River system is currently about 3.5 million acre-feet in deficit from meeting annual budgets based on average flows from 1930 to 1980. Therefore, option D is the correct characterization. Option A is incorrect because it suggests that there are adequate flows to meet the Compact and Mexican Water Treaty allotments, which contradicts the deficit mentioned in option D. Option B is incorrect because it suggests that reservoirs do not experience significant losses, which is not true. Option C is incorrect because it suggests that the average flows in the second half of this century are more than double the budgeted amount, but the information given only mentions average flows from 1930 to 1980.

Which of the Following Characterizations Regarding Colorado River Discharges and Annual