Overview of the Colorado River and RPA no. 14

The Lower Colorado River has been a source of controversy since it was firs t identified as a source of potable and irrigation water a century ago. Con tainment of the river through damming, diversions, and channel stabilizatio n has provided many benefits, but at the cost of habitat for native fish an d wildlife. In 1997, the U.S. on the U.S. Bureau of Reclamation's routine r iver operations and maintenance. The Service has stated that Reclamation's proposed operation and maintenance of facilities on the Lower Colorado Rive r were likely to jeopardize the continued existence of three endangered spe cies. One provision called for evaluation of ecological restoration of stab ilized areas along the river.