Water Security and Adaptation to Climate Extremes in Transboundary Rivers of North America

Abstract

Three basins in North America are used to examine how transboundary water governance arrangements have developed and performed in the face of recent severe droughts: the Colorado and Rio Grande Rivers on the US-Mexico Border and the Columbia River on the Canada-US border. The chapter delivers insights about water governance responses to the key problems in each basin, as well as the opportunities and limits to transfer policy lessons across basins. The findings illustrate the: (a) importance of proportional resource sharing mechanisms that spread risk and benefits in ways that are more likely to be perceived as fair; (b) potential for economic instruments and fiscal decentralization to reduce risks of natural hazards by enabling more localized responses; and (c) the need to establish, and strengthen, coordination mechanisms (e.g. river basin authorities, joint monitoring, conflict resolution venues) that are well matched to local conditions, including informal institutions (e.g. working groups, networks, joint studies). The chapter concludes with lessons about adaptation to extreme climate events in transboundary rivers of North America, including governance insights and practices that have enhanced (or reduced) freshwater security.