The Water Desk
The Water Desk’s mission is to increase the volume, depth and power of journalism connected to Western water issues. We're an initiative of the Center for Environmental Journalism at the University of Colorado Boulder.
Water Desk awards new grants to journalists and media outlets
The Water Desk is excited to announce the recipients of new grants to support water-related journalism in the seven states of the Colorado River Basin and the borderlands of northwest Mexico.
The grantees will be...
Troubled waters
The Trump administration’s new definition of “waters of the United States” dramatically shrinks federal protection of many wetlands and waterways under the Clean Water Act. The rule change cuts red tape for farmers and developers but could threaten ecosystems and drinking water, especially in the arid West.
Melting away in a hot drought
The snowpack that 40 million people rely on for water was supposed to provide a bounty this year. Instead, much of it melted away fast and early — part of a long-term trend associated with climate change.
Introducing the Water Buffs podcast
The Water Buffs Podcast is officially launching on YouTube, Vimeo and most podcast platforms on August 12th, 2020
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.
Q&A: former top Interior Department officials assess agency under Trump
The Water Desk spoke with Rebecca Watson and John Leshy, who visited the University of Colorado Boulder campus recently for an armchair debate hosted by the Getches-Wilkinson Center.
Video story: The value of water (full length)
With population growth around Denver prompting fierce competition for water, investors want to import a new supply from the San Luis Valley, but many farmers and ranchers who depend on that water are opposed to the plan.
Video story: California’s vanishing lake (full length)
Water conservation in California’s southern desert is causing an environmental disaster as the Salton Sea quickly shrinks.
Video story: When in drought, call the beavers
Beaver reintroduction and restoration can help with some of the West's most profound water problems, both in terms of quantity and quality. A trial program is underway at Caribou Ranch in Boulder County.
Video story: Cooling the Yampa river (full length)
As climate change brings warmer weather, Westerners are looking for ways to protect the region’s rivers and streams. In a special report for the Water Desk, Jerd Smith of Fresh Water News explains a strategy for safeguarding Colorado’s Yampa River.