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

The confluence of the Colorado and Little Colorado rivers in the Grand Canyon, shown here in a September 2020 aerial photo from Ecoflight, represents an area where the humpback chub has rebounded in the last decade. That progress is now threatened by declining water levels in Lake Powell, which could lead to non-native smallmouth bass becoming established in the canyon. CREDIT: JANE PARGITER/ECOFLIGHT

Declining levels at Lake Powell increase risk to humpback chub downstream

Low levels and warming waters threaten to increase invasive species in the Colorado River.

Photos: Cataract Canyon aerials, October 2022

This page features aerial photos of Cataract Canyon, along the Colorado River in Utah's Canyonlands National Park and Glen Canyon National Recreation Area. Cataract Canyon begins at the confluence with...

A treasure hunt for wild springs in Arizona’s desert 

In Arizona, finding water in the wilderness means discovering a source of life. 
Drone view of the Colorado River near Moab, Utah. Photo by Mitch Tobin

Video and photos: Colorado River drone footage near Moab

This page features drone-captured footage and photos of the Colorado River near Moab, Utah. The imagery shows the Colorado as it approaches Moab, with State Route 128 bordering the river. After...
This photo from December 2021 shows one of the intake towers at Hoover Dam. Federal officials said basin states must conserve 2 to 4 million acre-feet to protect reservoir levels in 2023. CREDIT: HEATHER SACKETT/ASPEN JOURNALISM

Race is on for Colorado River basin states to conserve before feds take action

Seven states in the West have been given until August 15th to implement new strategies and tools to conserve the Colorado River.
Burnt Northern Water land photo

Suburban Marshall Fire stuns Colorado as statewide wildfire protection efforts ramp up

Climate change and the decades-long drought are fueling bigger and more dangerous fires, leaving devastation up and down watersheds.

State looking to oppose White River storage project in water court

For more than 4½ years, state engineers in Colorado have expressed concerns that a conservancy district has not proven there is a need for the water, which would be stored in the proposed White River reservoir and dam project.
Ruedi Reservoir photo

How low can Ruedi Reservoir go?

Water levels could fall so low this winter that the city of Aspemay struggle to generate power, and water owners could see shortages.

$500M in new federal funds to give thousands of Coloradans freedom from lead, PFAS...

Coloradans exposed to drinking water tainted by lead or so-called “forever chemicals" will see clean water faster.

Deadline passed

The seven states failed to meet a federal deadline of February 1st to agree on a plan to use less water from the Colorado River. Brad Hicks of the...