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

Toxic waste from uranium pool photo

Two Southwest tribes raise concerns over uranium storage

In Utah, a pool of toxic waste is emitting dangerous amounts of radon to the surrounding communities, including the Ute Mountain Ute Tribe.
Hydroelectric turbine at Glen Canyon Dam photo

Powell’s looming power problem

Drought and demand threaten a critical component of the Western grid as Lake Powell approaches minimum power pool for the first time.
Julia Bernal (Sandia, Taos and Yuchi-Creek Nations of Oklahoma) in Sandoval County in the Middle Rio Grande Valley photo

Indigenous feminism flows through the fight for water rights on the Rio Grande

An intergenerational group of Pueblo women lead the way on water policy along the Middle Rio Grande Valley.

The Los Angeles River’s overlooked anglers

Unhoused Angelenos use the urban river as a source of sustenance, but a proposal to revitalize the waterway could push them out.

As temperatures rise, Arizona sinks

The combination of groundwater pumping and warmer temperatures is shrinking aquifers and lowering water tables in Arizona.

‘This system cannot be sustained’

This year, tribal nations enter negotiations over Colorado River water.

Humans are great at giving real problems the side-eye

Two new books provide insights into the willful ignorance that lead to the West’s water woes.