Final answer:
Colorado River governance is characterized by strict federal regulation, an extensive system of dams and canals including the Hoover Dam, and a complex legal framework for water allocation, contrasting with the less regulated and less infrastructurally developed governance of the Rio Grande.
Step-by-step explanation:
Colorado River governance differs from Rio Grande governance primarily through the legal frameworks governing water allocation, infrastructure development, and management approaches. For the Colorado River, several federal laws dictate water shares, leading to a complex system of dams and canals, epitomized by the Hoover Dam.
In contrast, the Rio Grande lacks such extensive infrastructure and governance mechanisms. Moreover, entities like American Rivers, which advocate for river protection and restoration, view the Hoover Dam and similar structures on the Colorado River with concern over their ecological impacts. The Colorado River's governance reflects the immense demand for its waters by multiple states and millions of people, leading to high levels of regulation and resource management.
Overall, these aspects underscore substantive differences between how the Colorado River and Rio Grande are governed, particularly around the scale of engineering interventions and the legal structures to manage water allocation.