Gila: The Life and Death of an American River

Arizona's Gila River and its tributaries once formed the most important water system in the Southwest. Today, it has been bled dry; its wildlife and vegetation have been mostly destroyed and the lower river is on the EPA Superfund cleanup roster. McNamee ( Named in Stone: An Arizona Anthology ) reviews the geology and history of the Gila and chronicles its decline in a sad, familiar story of human impact on Western lands. Mining operations stripped mountains, diverted rivers and chewed up forests. Large-scale ranching, inappropriate agriculture, dams and profligate use of water have added to the river's demise. McNamee charges that Phoenix has the highest rate of water consumption in the nation, at one-fourth the cost of water in New York City; golf courses use up to one million gallons a day. To restore the river, he calls for reforesting the highlands, appropriate agriculture, removal of the dams and new federal policies. This is important reading for environmentalists. Photos. (May)