University of Colorado Boulder
Water in the Western United States
University of Colorado Boulder

Water in the Western United States

Eric Gordon
Anne U. Gold

Instructors: Eric Gordon

3,606 already enrolled

Included with Coursera Plus

Gain insight into a topic and learn the fundamentals.
4.5

(25 reviews)

Beginner level
No prior experience required
23 hours to complete
3 weeks at 7 hours a week
Flexible schedule
Learn at your own pace
Gain insight into a topic and learn the fundamentals.
4.5

(25 reviews)

Beginner level
No prior experience required
23 hours to complete
3 weeks at 7 hours a week
Flexible schedule
Learn at your own pace

What you'll learn

  • Understand the unique aspects of water supply and demand issues in the western US and how water systems have adapted to them.

  • Explain historical and scientific issues around water management in the western US.

  • Recognize major sources of water supplies in the western US and the impact of individual “water footprints."

  • Describe some of the ways in which scientists study research questions related to water and climate in the western US.

Details to know

Shareable certificate

Add to your LinkedIn profile

Assessments

7 assignments

Taught in English

See how employees at top companies are mastering in-demand skills

Placeholder
Placeholder

Earn a career certificate

Add this credential to your LinkedIn profile, resume, or CV

Share it on social media and in your performance review

Placeholder

There are 5 modules in this course

Are you ready? In this module, we introduce you to how the course works, describe the unique nature of water issues in the American West, and provide important background that will orient you to the region we are studying and the science of hydrology. Let's get started!

What's included

4 videos5 readings1 discussion prompt1 plugin

How did the American West end up with many of the world's largest dams? How does the West's unique legal system for allocating water work? Who gets the right to use water how, and why? We'll cover these topics and more in our module on history, politics, and culture!

What's included

6 videos4 readings2 assignments

Is the West drying up? What happens to a watershed when many of the trees in it die? Let's explore the major scientific issues related to water in the American West. Along the way, we'll hear from a number of experts working on some of the latest cutting-edge research in hydrology, ecology, climate, and more!

What's included

8 videos10 readings2 assignments

The Colorado River is a vital source of drinking water for nearly 40 million people and supplies countless farms across a parched landscape. Cutting through nearly 1,500 miles of mountains and deserts, the Colorado's small size belies the fact that it is one of the most intensively managed and litigated rivers in the world. That makes this river perfect for exploring many of the concepts we've covered already in our course.

What's included

5 videos7 readings2 assignments

In this course, we've emphasized the importance of how the scarcity of water in the American West has shaped so many of the issues around it. In this final module, we'll present some specific cases of complex and often controversial issues that come up because of the unique nature of water in the Western US.

What's included

6 videos6 readings1 assignment1 peer review1 plugin

Instructors

Instructor ratings
3.8 (6 ratings)
Eric Gordon
University of Colorado Boulder
1 Course3,606 learners
Anne U. Gold
University of Colorado Boulder
3 Courses7,504 learners

Offered by

Recommended if you're interested in Environmental Science and Sustainability

Why people choose Coursera for their career

Felipe M.
Learner since 2018
"To be able to take courses at my own pace and rhythm has been an amazing experience. I can learn whenever it fits my schedule and mood."
Jennifer J.
Learner since 2020
"I directly applied the concepts and skills I learned from my courses to an exciting new project at work."
Larry W.
Learner since 2021
"When I need courses on topics that my university doesn't offer, Coursera is one of the best places to go."
Chaitanya A.
"Learning isn't just about being better at your job: it's so much more than that. Coursera allows me to learn without limits."

Learner reviews

Showing 3 of 25

4.5

25 reviews

  • 5 stars

    72%

  • 4 stars

    20%

  • 3 stars

    0%

  • 2 stars

    0%

  • 1 star

    8%

BF
4

Reviewed on Aug 14, 2020

FA
5

Reviewed on Sep 19, 2020

BB
5

Reviewed on Oct 1, 2024

Placeholder

Open new doors with Coursera Plus

Unlimited access to 7,000+ world-class courses, hands-on projects, and job-ready certificate programs - all included in your subscription

Advance your career with an online degree

Earn a degree from world-class universities - 100% online

Join over 3,400 global companies that choose Coursera for Business

Upskill your employees to excel in the digital economy

Frequently asked questions