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

Western river compacts were innovative in the 1920s but couldn’t foresee today’s water challenges

Interstate river compacts were an innovative solution 100 years ago – but were written for a West far different from today.
Cloud seeding equipment near Winter Park in Colorado photo

Cloud seeding might not be as promising as drought-troubled states hope

Several western states have experimented with cloud seeding to increase precipitation, but it may not be a promising strategy.

US Climate risks are rising – a scientist looks at the dangers her children...

A new report warns that humanity has a brief but rapidly closing window of opportunity to secure a livable and sustainable future.

New flood maps show US damage rising 26% in next 30 years due to...

Flooding is the most frequent and costliest natural disaster in the United States, and its costs are projected to rise as the climate warms.
California wildfire photo

Devastating Colorado fires cap a year of climate disasters in 2021, with one side...

The year 2021 was filled with climate disasters from coast to coast, some so intense they surprised even the scientists who study them.

‘Zero Day’ for California water? Not yet, but unprecedented water restrictions send a sharp...

California’s announcement represents uncharted territory and is meant to promote water conservation in what is already a dry water year.

The US is making plans to replace all of its lead water pipes from...

The Biden administration has released a plan to accelerate removal of lead water pipes and lead paint from U.S. homes.
Sign at a boat ramp on Lake Mead, near Boulder City, Nevada, Aug. 13, 2021. The lake currently is roughly two-thirds empty. AP Photo/John Locher

As climate change parches the Southwest, here’s a better way to share water from...

With users facing severe water shortages, the 1922 Colorado Compact is inadequate to deal with scarcity, and a better approach is needed.
Water arriving by truck photo

Avoiding water bankruptcy in the drought-troubled Southwest: What the US and Iran can learn...

Past mistakes offer important lessons for future plans in the Southwest and other regions increasingly experiencing drought and water shortages.
Lightning during a monsoon storm photo

Monsoons make deserts bloom in the US Southwest, but climate change is making these...

Understanding monsoons is critical for educating communities about their benefits and risks, and about how to stay safe from flash flooding.