Watch Killing the Colorado

In 2016, the Discovery Channel released a powerful and thought-provoking documentary entitled Killing the Colorado. The show features an in-depth exploration into the water crisis affecting the Colorado River and the Southwest United States. The Colorado River is one of the most important waterways in the world, being a crucial source of water for millions of people and an essential source for irrigation and various industrial uses. Over the last century, it has become a point of controversy due to its overuse and depletion, and the show delves deep into the various factors that have led to this.

Killing the Colorado features interviews with various water experts, policymakers, and individuals on both sides of the issue, with each providing insights into the history, as well as the present and future of water management in the Colorado River basin. The documentary presents a highly thorough and well-crafted narrative that traces the complex and multifaceted causes behind the water crisis, ranging from climate change and population growth to government policies and corporate greed.

Through interviews with farmers, ranchers, tribal members, and politicians, Killing the Colorado provides a nuanced and detailed understanding of how different communities have been impacted by the water crisis. Particularly, the show sheds light on how the crisis is affecting low-income and rural communities that are often at the mercy of water policies created by distant governments and corporations. This aspect of the show invites viewers to think about the impact of environmental degradation on communities that are often overlooked in mainstream discussions of environmental issues.

Killing the Colorado also features stunning footage showcasing the beauty and majesty of the Colorado River and its surrounding landscapes. The show paints a picture of a waterway that has sustained life for generations but is now in peril due to decades of human interference. The footage drives home the message that the Colorado River is not an abstract idea, but a vital resource that is essential to the lives of those who depend upon it.

One of the most compelling aspects of the show is the exploration of the history of the Colorado River and how it has been managed over the years. The episodes take a historical view of the river, detailing the construction of dams, diversions, and canals that have altered the river's natural course and impacted ecosystems and communities downstream. It further investigates the power relations between states and between state and federal government in water allocation decisions.

As the show progresses, the focus shifts towards discussing possible solutions to the crisis. Solutions that span from the adoption of water conservation technology, to reducing water usage in agriculture, to new government policies, and approaches to sharing water among states. The show specifically complicates any notion of an easy fix, which is essential for a deeper and more lasting understanding of the situation.

Overall, Killing the Colorado is a well-executed and informative program that raises critical questions about the future of water management, climate change, and corporate accountability. It prompts the viewer to consider their role in water conservation and propels a necessary discussion in the face of an issue that can prove catastrophic for those that depend upon the river. Largely free of jargon and overly technical language, it serves as an accessible and reliable resource for those seeking to understand the future of our planet's most precious resources.

Killing the Colorado is a series that ran for 1 seasons (1 episodes) between August 4, 2016 and on Discovery Channel