Strategies of American Water Management

“In a country of parching drought, stinking streams, and muddy floods” (to use the author’s words), the management of America’s water resources is, and promises to remain, a vital national issue. Yet, while there exist many proposed plans and normative studies in the field of water management little attention has been devoted to the analysis of decisions which have actually been made, and the projects which have actually been undertaken. As Dr. White observes: “... it is not common to analyze water resource activity in terms of the character of decisions made and the strategies they reflect."The theme of this volume is that by examining how people make their choices in managing water from place to place and time to time we can deepen our understanding of the process of water management, and thereby aid in finding more suitable ends and means of manipulating the natural water system."In Strategies of American Water Management, Dr. White outlines a framework in which society’s decisions as to water management may be examined, and then discusses six of the major strategies which have been practiced in the United States. Of each strategy the author asks: Who makes what choices? What is the effect upon the public welfare? What is the effect upon the environment? Drawing on personal experience with national and regional water planning efforts, Dr. White in his analysis points up an emerging shift in man’s attitude toward nature—the replacement of the view of man as “conqueror” by the view of “harmonizer” and “co-operator.” This penetrating and informed study—by an acknowledged authority in the field—constitutes an important contribution toward the intelligent and responsible solution of the problem of American water management.