In 1967, Utah Sen. Frank Moss published a book titled “The Water Crisis.” Had Congress paid attention to his recommendations, the nation would not be struggling with a disappearing Great Salt Lake, empty reservoirs along the Colorado River and excess flooding in major river basins. The senator’s recommendations were founded on the reality that river basins and water resources are not limited by state boundaries. Water comes from rain or melting snow in one state and flows through other states on its way back to the ocean or to the Great Salt Lake. Moss proposed that the only way to resolve water issues is to deal with the totality of each river basin. As examples, the senator noted the Tennessee Valley Authority and the Colorado River Compact.
-Written by Don Gale, a Utah journalist who has written about numerous societal challenges over the past six decades, including more than one water crisis.