Data viz: surveying Colorado River Basin maps
This collection of Colorado River Basin maps includes public domain images and other cartographic resources for depicting the watershed.
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.
Data vis for water journalism – Water Buffs Podcast ep. 1 – Geoff McGhee
We talk with Water Desk consultant Geoff McGhee about some of the ways that data visualizations can help journalists tell stories about water. We discuss dashboards on our website that allow users to track and analyze data on drought, precipitation, the snowpack and major dams and reservoirs.
Using drone and aerial imagery – Water Buffs Podcast ep. 6 – Mitch Tobin
Journalist Geoff McGhee talks to Water Desk Director Mitch Tobin about how still images and video footage captured by planes and drone help explain water issues.
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.
Harvesting water in arid lands – Water Buffs Podcast ep. 11 – Brad Lancaster
Brad Lancaster, author and expert on water harvesting, explains how to make the most of rainfall and greywater to stretch local supplies.
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.
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.
Water managers cope with climate change – Water Buffs Podcast ep. 2 – Cynthia Koehler
Water Desk Director Mitch Tobin talks to Cynthia Koehler, director of the Water Now Alliance, about the many challenges facing water providers and the solutions they are pursuing to make water systems more resilient and sustainable.
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.