Cadillac Desert: The American West and Its Disappearing Water

Reisner reiterates throughout the book that by building water projects and dams in the arid West, the US overreached itself. What evidence does Reisner present for this position? Do you find his argument convincing? Why or why not?

How has human propensity for favoring immediate gains around water impacted the current water crisis in the West? Are humans capable of living sustainably in the West? How would Reisner respond to your argument?

Reisner spends significantly more time describing the negative economic and environmental impacts of water projects and dam construction in the West than describing possible solutions for the current predicament. Why does Reisner choose to so thoroughly document the harm being done?