The Parsons Plan: A Massive North American Water Diversion Blueprint
In 1964, the Parsons Corporation of Pasadena, California, developed an ambitious technical and economic blueprint designed to fundamentally reshape the hydrology of North America. Known as the Parsons Plan, this proposal envisioned a continental-scale engineering feat to redistribute water from water-rich northern regions to arid southern territories.
The scale of the project was unprecedented. By 1975, the estimated cost of the plan reached $100 billion, a figure comparable to the investment required for the Interstate Highway System.
Key Facts
- Developer: Parsons Corporation (1964).
- Estimated Cost: $100 billion (as of 1975).
- Water Volume: 75 million acre-feet of water provided to deficient areas.
- Primary Infrastructure: A 500-mile (805 km) long reservoir in the Rocky Mountain Trench.
- Scope: Spanned Canada, the United States, and Mexico.
Water Management and Distribution
The core of the Parsons plan involved diverting water from the Yukon, Liard, and Peace River systems. This water would be channeled into the southern half of the Rocky Mountain Trench—a major geological valley—which would be dammed to create a massive reservoir stretching 500 miles (805 km).
From this central hub, the water would be distributed via several strategic routes:
- Eastern Route: Water would flow across central Canada to create a navigable waterway connecting Alberta to the Great Lakes, helping to stabilize the water levels of the Great Lakes.
- United States Route: Water would enter northern Montana to augment the Columbia and Missouri-Mississippi river systems. To cross the Rocky Mountains, the plan proposed the use of the Sawtooth Lifts in Idaho.
- Southern Route: From Idaho, aqueducts would carry water south to the Colorado River and Rio Grande systems. Some water would be routed around the southern Rockies in New Mexico and pumped north to stabilize the Ogallala Aquifer, a massive underground water source in the High Plains.
- International Reach: Increased flow in the Colorado River would extend into Mexico, facilitating agricultural development in Sonora and Baja California.
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Environmental and Agricultural Impact
The plan aimed to provide 75 million acre-feet of water to water-deficient regions. Parsons claimed that the water delivered to Mexico would allow the country to reclaim land at a rate 7 to 8 times greater than what Egypt achieved with the Aswan High Dam. Additionally, the system would ensure consistent flow in the upper Missouri and Mississippi rivers during droughts and increase hydropower capacity along the Columbia River.
Power Generation and Engineering
Moving vast quantities of water across a continent requires immense energy. The project proposed a network of hydroelectric and nuclear power facilities. Nuclear power, specifically, would be necessary to operate the numerous pumping stations required to push water over mountain ranges.
The energy balance of the plan was a point of contention. While some critics, including Marc Reisner, argued that the system would be a net consumer of energy, other estimates suggested a net gain of 60 to 80 million kilowatts after accounting for the pumping requirements.
In terms of construction, Parsons originally suggested a controversial method: using peaceful nuclear explosions to excavate the necessary trenches and underground storage reservoirs.
Transportation and the Transcontinental Canal
Beyond water management, the plan included a significant transportation component. The proposed Transcontinental Canal would have created a navigable waterway from Alberta to Lake Superior. This canal was intended not only to facilitate transport and water movement but also to help address issues of water pollution.
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| Feature | Details |
|---|---|
| Primary Water Sources | Yukon, Liard, and Peace River systems |
| Key Infrastructure | 500-mi reservoir, Sawtooth Lifts, Transcontinental Canal |
| Beneficiary Regions | Alberta, Great Lakes, Montana, High Plains, Mexico |
| Energy Sources | Hydroelectric and Nuclear power |
| Estimated Cost (1975) | $100 Billion |
Frequently Asked Questions
What was the primary goal of the Parsons Plan?
The primary goal was to divert water from the water-rich northern river systems of Canada to water-deficient areas across North America, including the United States and Mexico.
How would the water be moved across the Rocky Mountains?
The plan proposed using the Sawtooth Lifts in Idaho to pump water over the mountains, from which it would then flow south via aqueducts.
What was the Transcontinental Canal?
The Transcontinental Canal was a proposed navigable waterway in Canada that would connect Alberta to Lake Superior, serving both transportation and pollution-reduction purposes.
Was the plan energy-efficient?
This was a subject of debate; some experts believed the plan would consume more energy than it produced, while others estimated a net energy gain of 60 to 80 million kilowatts.
How did the plan intend to benefit Mexico?
By increasing the flow of the Colorado River, the plan would provide irrigation water to Sonora and Baja California, potentially reclaiming land at 7 to 8 times the rate of Egypt's Aswan High Dam project.