The dam nobody wants just won’t go away
Dams can stop the natural flow of sand and silt to the sea—resulting in coastal wetland loss and disappearing beaches—as well as preventing fish from reaching vital spawning grounds.
Forest Service approves test drilling for Whitney Reservoir site
The U.S. Forest Service approved an application from the cities of Aurora and Colorado Springs for geotechnical drilling in the Homestake Valley, one of the first steps toward building a new dam and reservoir on Homestake Creek.
Colorado water officials announce creation of state-run conservation program
In the culmination of a process that has been years in the making, Colorado officials Wednesday announced the creation of a state-run water conservation...
Q&A: Snow droughts imperil the American West’s water supply
A lack of snow impacts the West’s water resources, wildfire risk, recreational activities and ecosystem health.
Climate change made the West’s snow drought far more likely—but it’s still not the...
Q&A with hydrologist Adrienne Marshall on why this past winter’s snowpack fell so low, how global warming increased the odds and what the future may hold
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.
Bill providing millions in relief to Republican, Rio Grande river basins clears first hurdle
Colorado lawmakers have approved a bill to help regions comply with obligations to deliver water to Kansas, Nebraska, Texas and New Mexico.
Data viz: Lake Mead levels
Last update: September 21, 2022
Percent of total capacity
Source: US Bureau of Reclamation
As pressure to regulate Yampa River continues, locals raise cash to aid compliance effort
Nearly one year after the state ordered Yampa River water users to begin measuring their diversions from the iconic river, local community groups have raised more than $200,000 to help cash-strapped ranchers and others install the devices needed to comply with the law.
As 2020 kicks in, historic Colorado River Drought Plan will get its first test
This year, the first-ever Colorado River Drought Contingency Plan is set to launch, and water officials expect 2020 to bring unprecedented changes to the way the river is run, including cutbacks in water use by some states.