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Social-Ecological-Technical Misalignments Threaten Mountain Water Tower Resilience in Utah, USA

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Mountain Landscapes in Transition

Part of the book series: Sustainable Development Goals Series ((SDGS))

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Abstract

The essential “water tower” role played by mountains is compromised by climate change and human development. Misalignments in various socio-ecological-technical dimensions threaten adaptive capacity and resilience in mountain water-dependent regions. Interdisciplinary research in Utah’s Wasatch Mountains reveals a complex set of mid-elevation dynamics and stakeholder perspectives complicating water resource planning at local and state levels. Rapid urban development and population growth in the region point to water demand exceeding supply in the near future. Climate change is already influencing snowpack levels, snow water equivalent, and phase changes in mountain precipitation. Winter forest evapotranspiration rates present unexpected water loss with warming air temperatures. Mountain water quality is deteriorating due to up-slope nitrogen deposition as well as mid-elevation grazing, fire, and residential development. Multiple data sources point to diverse and conflicting stakeholder perspectives throughout the region suggesting considerable work to be done to find common ground for water management and planning in this dynamic water tower system. We explore the opportunities and constraints related to a range of adaptation pathways being considered and attempted at local, regional, and state government scales, including water reuse, water transfers and pipelines, new reservoirs, water banking, and water conservation promotion.

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Author information

Authors and Affiliations

  1. Department of Biology and Ecology Center, Utah State University, Logan, UT, USA

    Michelle A. Baker

  2. Department of Sociology, Social Work, and Anthropology, Utah State University, Logan, UT, USA

    Courtney G. Flint

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  1. Michelle A. Baker
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  2. Courtney G. Flint
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Correspondence to Courtney G. Flint .

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Editors and Affiliations

  1. CEN Center for Earth System Research and Sustainability, Institute of Geography, University of Hamburg, Hamburg, Germany

    Udo Schickhoff

  2. (Deceased) Department of Geography, Delhi School of Economy, University of Delhi, New Delhi, Delhi, India

    R.B. Singh

  3. Department of Geography, Shaheed Bhagat Singh College, University of Delhi, New Delhi, Delhi, India

    Suraj Mal

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Baker, M.A., Flint, C.G. (2022). Social-Ecological-Technical Misalignments Threaten Mountain Water Tower Resilience in Utah, USA. In: Schickhoff, U., Singh, R., Mal, S. (eds) Mountain Landscapes in Transition . Sustainable Development Goals Series. Springer, Cham. https://doi.org/10.1007/978-3-030-70238-0_30

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