A Few Ironies of Western Water Law

Authors

Reed D. Benson, University of New Mexico - School of LawFollow

Document Type

Article

Publication Date

1-1-2006

Abstract

We have a truly outstanding panel of speakers this morning to discuss issues and history relating to water resources in the American West. Water, of course, has always been scarce out here. Some nineteenth century maps of the United States had the words "Great American Desert" written broadly across the West, and that characterization reflected how many people viewed the West in that era. The story goes that President Grant sent a cabinet member to the West with orders to report back on "what it is they need out there." The secretary dutifully wrote back saying, "All this place needs is good people and water." President Grant sent back a four-word telegram: "That's all hell needs."

Publication Title

Wyoming Law Review

Volume

6

Issue

2

First Page

331

Recommended Citation

Reed D. Benson, A Few Ironies of Western Water Law, 6 Wyoming Law Review 331 (2006).
Available at: https://digitalrepository.unm.edu/law_facultyscholarship/344