An initiative of the Center for Environmental Journalism at the University of Colorado Boulder

Site Features

Not enough water and too many invasives at Glen Canyon National Recreation Area

Years of drought, upstream diversions and impoundments, and an overly optimistic forecast of Colorado River flows, have sapped the river once literally called Grand.

How climate change is redesigning Canyonlands National Park

A warming climate has been linked to human activity around the world, and has affected the Colorado River System as well. The impacts are substantial, from reduced water flows, threats to indigenous species and the influx of new invasive species along the river system.

Water Desk grantees

The Water Desk has made $75,000 in grants to journalists and media outlets covering California water issues.

Concern over the “forever chemical” PFAS in water supplies is high, but remedies remain...

A synthetic chemical’s appearance in public water supply wells raises questions of how to protect the public from unknown health hazards.

Praying for rain

The Zuni tribe's homeland is one of the most parched sections of the country. The tribe has already declared three drought emergencies in the last 15 years. Will it survive the next one?

Crystal River Ranch near Carbondale seeks to preserve water rights tied to potential dams,...

Are junior water rights to an oversubscribed river enough to justify two reservoirs on a farm? One Colorado rancher is about to find out.

In post-shutdown world, new ultra-green water device helps weary eateries cut costs as they...

A new thawing technology aims to help restaurants cut their water use, reduce their operating costs and shrink their carbon footprint.

Photos: Horseshoe Bend, Arizona, December 2019

This page features photos of the Colorado River at Horseshoe Bend, near Page, Arizona. This scenic vista in Glen Canyon National Recreation Area, located just downstream from Glen Canyon...

Photos: Glen Canyon Dam, Arizona, December 2019

This page features photos of Glen Canyon Dam and Lake Powell, near Page, Arizona. The 710-foot dam was built from 1956 to 1966. The reservoir is named for explorer...

Yes, there is good news in dark times: A water dividend for the Colorado...

The water once used to cool coal-fired power plants could soon be available for other uses, even to help fill a new drought-protection pool in Lake Powell.