About The Water Desk
The Water Desk is an independent, nonprofit journalism initiative with three priorities:
Stories and reports
PFAS ‘forever chemicals’ are widespread and threaten human health – here’s a strategy for...
Hundreds of scientists call for a comprehensive, effective plan to manage PFAS chemicals to protect public health.
These hay fields may know something we don’t: how to save the Colorado River
A $1 million science experiment on Colorado hay fields is backed by powerful water groups, farm interests, and environmentalists.
White River dam and reservoir project headed for water court trial
The state of Colorado and the Rio Blanco Water Conservancy District are still at odds over a proposed White River dam and reservoir project.
Water Desk news and grant announcements
Announcing grantees for The Water Desk’s California Media Project
The Water Desk has made $75,000 in grants to journalists and media outlets covering California water issues.
Announcing our first grantees
The Water Desk is excited to announce our first grants to support journalists and media outlets covering Western water issues and the Colorado River Basin.
Special Series: Crisis on the Colorado
The Water Desk is pleased to republish this outstanding five-part series by Jim Robbins and Ted Wood for Yale Environment 360.
Crisis on the Colorado Part I: The West’s Great River Hits Its Limits– Will...
As the Southwest faces rapid growth and unrelenting drought, the Colorado River is in crisis, with too many demands on its diminishing flow. Now those who depend on the river must confront the hard reality that their supply of Colorado water may be cut off.
Crisis on the Colorado Part II: On a Water-Starved River, Drought Is the New...
With the Southwest locked in a 19-year drought and climate change making the region increasingly drier, water managers and users along the Colorado River are facing a troubling question: Are we in a new, more arid era when there will never be enough water?
Crisis on the Colorado Part III: Running Dry– New Strategies for Conserving Water
Communities along the Colorado River are facing a new era of drought and water shortages that is threatening their future. With an official water emergency declaration now possible, farmers, ranchers, and towns are searching for ways to use less water and survive.
Latest multimedia content
This content is free to use and repost by media organizations and others under a Creative Commons license.
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Resources
We’ve collected a series of resources that help explain the complex and sometimes contentious world of water issues.
Background readings on Western water
Here are some helpful online resources for learning more about the Colorado River Basin and Western water issues.
Glossaries
It’s hard to understand water issues unless you know the lingo. Here are some helpful water-related glossaries on the web:
Water books
Want to go deep and really learn about water issues? Here's a list of great nonfiction books...
Media and journalism
On this page you'll find a guide to water media, a Twitter list for Western water and examples of great water journalism.