Water Relations in Monteverde, Costa Rica
By Mai Kobayashi(‘06)

Monteverde, Costa Rica is an ecotourism hotspot that attracts more than 200,000 people each year. With its unique hydrologic system, Monteverde’s cloud forests are recognized as among the most biologically diverse places on earth. The Rio Guacimal watershed encompasses a portion of the Monteverde Cloud Forest Reserve, and is where Professors Amy Rhodes (Geology and ES&P) and Andrew Guswa (Engineering and ES&P), and their student research assistants have been conducting hydrologic research for the past five years. Through the monitoring of rainfall, water chemistry and river discharge, they are working towards constructing a hydrologic model of the region which can then be used to assess the impact of development or global warming on the quality and availability of water in the region.

Water resources in Monteverde have recently become an important issue. In January 2005, a water concession conflict erupted into a three day protest, during which more than 150 members of the community took to the streets to halt construction of a pipeline designed to double the extraction rate of water from the La Cuecha River for the use of a few private businesses in the area. La Cuecha is one of the main rivers where Rhodes and Guswa have been conducting their research. Residents are also concerned about the potential loss of biodiversity in the region due to the over consumption and pollution of water by the large hotels and restaurants. Tensions still remain high regarding area water rights.

According to the country’s Minister of Environment and Energy, Costa Rica is a nation “with a clear understanding of the necessity to establish alliances with nature and develop this country in the hands of sustainable development." The question remains how best to accommodate economic growth through ecotourism without falling victim to its successes?

Sound hydrologic data is needed to assess the sustainability of future developments in Monteverde and aid in the decision-making process. Water resource issues are as complicated as the ecosystem it supports. We hope the data from the Smith project will result in improved dialogue and management practices surrounding the supply of water upon which all members of the area community.