Report on the Arid Region of the United States by John Wesley Powell (1878) is a landmark study that examines the geography, climate, and development potential of the western United States. Powell’s report focuses on the arid regions, which cover roughly 40% of the continental United States, aiming to establish guidelines for equitable and sustainable land use in areas characterized by low annual rainfall.
The work begins with a thorough analysis of the region’s climate, drawing on Smithsonian meteorological data and Powell’s own observations from his field surveys. He categorizes the land into three primary types—irrigable lands, timber lands, and pasturage lands—and assesses their suitability for settlement, agriculture, and resource management.
Powell also critiques prevailing assumptions of the era, including the notion that the western United States could be developed using the same practices as the more humid East. He advances policy recommendations for Congress, advocating for water-based land management, regional planning guided by hydrology, and settlement patterns aligned with environmental realities.
This report is foundational in western U.S. geography and water policy, reflecting Powell’s forward-thinking approach to sustainable development, resource management, and the challenges of inhabiting arid landscapes. It remains a critical reference for historians, geographers, and environmental planners studying the American West.
