Explore the lower Colorado River where virtually every drop of the river is allocated, yet demand is growing from myriad sources — increasing population, declining habitat, drought and climate change.

The 1,450-mile river is a lifeline to 40 million people in the Southwest across seven states and Mexico. How the Lower Basin states – Arizona, California and Nevada – use and manage this water to meet agricultural, urban, environmental and industrial needs is the focus of this tour. 

Click here to register!

This three-hour virtual tour hosted by Nick Gray and Jenn Bowles with technical support from Liz McAllister will include:

• An overview presentation on the Lower Colorado River Basin
• An hour-long video tour of key stops along the Lower Colorado River
• Live Q&A with the speakers in chat rooms where attendees can dive deeper into the topics

Topics Include:

• Drought conditions & contingency planning in the Colorado River Basin
• Lower Basin state perspectives – Arizona, California & Nevada
• The Quantification Settlement Agreement (QSA)
• Warren H. Brock Storage Reservoir & the All-American Canal
• Binational water management
• Agricultural water use, drainage issues & salinity
• Urban use, history & development
• The Colorado River Basin Study
• Endangered species & the Multi-Species Conservation Program (MSCP)
• Salton Sea restoration 
• Climate change

As part of the event, you will receive a copy of our Layperson’s Guide to the Colorado River and be entered into a drawing to win one of the Foundation’s beautiful water maps.

Contact Nick Gray, programs manager, with any questions via email.

What attendees say about our virtual tours:

“Great job! I want to see all this in person. Will have to be on the bus next year.”

“Amazing event. Thank you so much. WEF is an amazing resource to the water community, which is everyone!”

“Thank you to all WEF staff for putting together such a great tour. Your ability to adapt is fantastic, and I hope that you produce more virtual tours like this.”

Stops Include:

• Hoover Dam
• Lake Mead
• Central Arizona Project facilities
• Whitsett Intake Pumping Plant, Copper Basin & other Metropolitan Water District of Southern California facilities
• Farms in the Palo Verde, Imperial & Coachella valleys
• The Salton Sea

Pricing Details:

Cost is $179 and includes one copy of our Layperson’s Guide to the Colorado River.

A limited amount of scholarship funding is available to pay for a portion of the event. Contact Programs Manager Nick Gray via email for a scholarship application.

Cancellation and Refund Policy:

Deadline to cancel and receive a refund is three days prior to the virtual tour. Substitutions are allowed up to two days before the tour. Eventbrite fees are nonrefundable and the remaining amount may be subject to an additional 10% processing fee.

Continuing Education Credits:

Continuing education credits are available for California attorneys for an additional fee, and may be available for water plant/wastewater plant operators and other vocations/professions.

Register below or click here for the full Eventbrite page!