NOTICE: The project that is the subject of this report was approved by the Governing Board of the National Research Council, whose members are drawn from the councils of the National Academy of Sciences, the National Academy of Engineering, and the Institute of Medicine. The members of the committee responsible for the report were chosen for their special competences and with regard for appropriate balance.

Support for this project was provided by the Bureau of Reclamation under Cooperative Agreement # 1425-98-FC-40-22700.

Cover: Photo of the Colorado River by David Rubin, U.S. Geological Survey, Menlo Park, CA.