Plugged by no fewer than twenty-five dams, the Colorado is the world’s most regulated river drainage, providing most of the water supply of Las Vegas, Tucson, and San Diego, and much of the power and water of Los Angeles and Phoenix, cities that are home to more than 25 million people. If it ceased flowing, the water held in its reservoirs might hold out for three to four years, but after that it would be necessary to abandon most of southern California and Arizona, and much of Colorado, New Mexico, Utah and Wyoming. For the entire American Southwest the Colorado is indeed the river of life, which makes it all the more tragic and ironic that by the time it approaches its final destination, it has been reduced to a shadow upon the sand, its delta dry and deserted, its flow a toxic trickle seeping into the sea.   In this remarkable blend of history, science, and personal observation, acclaimed author Wade Davis tells the story of America’s Nile, how it once flowed freely and how human intervention has left it near exhaustion, altering the water temperature, volume, local species, and shoreline of the river Theodore Roosevelt once urged us to “leave it as it is.” Yet despite a century of human interference, Davis writes, the splendor of the Colorado lives on in the river’s remaining wild rapids, quiet pools, and sweeping canyons. The story of the Colorado River is the human quest for progress and its inevitable if unintended effects—and an opportunity to learn from past mistakes and foster the rebirth of America’s most iconic waterway.   A beautifully told story of historical adventure and natural beauty, River Notes is a fascinating journey down the river and through mankind’s complicated and destructive relationship with one of its greatest natural resources. " River Notes is both a love song and a paean of regret to America's most spectacular river. Wade Davis weaves his own story of running the river with history, geology and quotations from those who knew it in its free days. This is also a warning about how easy it is to lose America's precious landscape." ― Denver Post "Above all, the book—by turns lyrical, elegiac and combative—is a plea to save the Colorado River before it is too late." ― Wall Street Journal "Often lyrically, Davis bemoans the state of a river that has been hemmed in so that cities including Las Vegas, San Diego, Los Angeles, Tucson and Phoenix can switch on their lights and have their taps flow....He does a good job of showing how we are all connected to this river, whether we recognize it or not." ― Washington Post "[A] beautifully concise history of the Colorado River." ― Men's Journal "incisive analysis....If only all public discussion of America's accomplishments and short-comings could be so clear-eyed." ― Canadian Geographic "The Colorado, he notes in this compelling historical and environmental narrative, is now controlled by more than 25 dams as it supplies water and electric power to cities in the Southwest and West." ― Dallas Morning News "With hard facts and river adventures rendered in gorgeous prose, Davis exposes the vulnerability of the Colorado in our time of drought and global warming in the hope that his findings will inspire the restoration and protection of this crucial river." ― Booklist "Davis manages to offer a distinct and compelling perspective on this iconic watercourse. These qualities make River Notes a great read for either armchair travellers or anyone with a passion for water conservation." ― Alternatives Journal "From a writer of such hefty status...you expect an excellent treatise on the Colorado River. You will not be disappointed. Wade Davis' writing is superb, his text is very readable and fascinating, and his research on this subject is formidable. ...the text is excellent...Reading about the trip is exciting and thought-provoking, and you wonder whether taming this river was really worth the cost." ― San Francisco/Sacramento Book Review "...an illuminating journey through mankind's complicated relationship with this 'River of Life'." ― Deseret News " River Notes sings not because of its recounting of geology and history with words that have been said many times before, but because of its personal song to a river that, despite all, still inspires." ― Colorado Review "Wade Davis traces the natural and human history of the Colorado River with vivid and engaging detail in his new book River Notes ." ― Utne Reader "In short, River Notes is everything you've ever wanted to know about the Colorado and more....If you've ever pondered a trip down the Colorado through the Grand Canyon it's definitely worth a pre-trip read. When the time comes, you'll appreciate the journey all the more. And those who have had the great opportunity to travel by way of the river will cherish having this book by their side so they can slip back into the canyon and down the river whenever they feel the urge." ― Rive