Agriculture

Five articles from The Conversation’s archive explain what’s happening and what’s at stake in the Colorado River basin’s drought crisis.

This page features drone-captured images and videos of the Dolores River in southwest Colorado. The Dolores River begins in the San Juan Mountains and travels about 230 miles to meet...

In Diamond Valley, Nevada, farmers are looking to protect their future — and testing the limits of the state’s water laws.

The Rio Blanco Water Conservancy District placed a call for its water rights, which could potentially alter the system for other water users.

A five-year, $5 million agreement will help support regenerative agriculture, soil health, water conservation and urban farms.

Imposing hefty taxes on speculative water sales, requiring that water rights purchased by investors be held for several years before they can be resold, and requiring special state approval of such sales are three ideas that might help Colorado protect its water resources from speculators.

A $1 million science experiment on Colorado hay fields is backed by powerful water groups, farm interests, and environmentalists.

Irrigators in Northwest Colorado are facing a sea change in how they use their water, and many ranchers are greeting such a shift with reluctance and suspicion.

The second-ever call on the Yampa River was lifted after water providers announced an Elkhead Reservoir water release to support irrigators and endangered fish.

Even a deep snowpack in the West likely won't be enough to end the drought.