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

Hay collecting photo

Report: Colorado River ranch water savings hit 42 percent

Colorado’s high altitude hay meadows could be re-operated to yield more than 40 percent in water savings, according to a new report.
Wildlife biologist photo

Kremmling bird count studies how birds use irrigated agriculture

As Colorado grapples with a demand-management program, there could be unintended consequences for animals that use irrigated agriculture for habitat.
Pistachio farm photo

Tulare County’s never-ending drought brings dried up wells and plenty of misery

In the rural towns around Visalia, drought is a perpetual plight and wells are going dry.

Tour the San Joaquin River

An interactive map visualizes restoration efforts on the San Joaquin River.

Colorado is examining water speculation, and finding it’s ‘all the problems’ in one

Water speculation has been sparking debate in Colorado over the last few months.
Dry agriculture photo

Dust beneath snow: As Colorado reservoirs drop, farmers fear the worst

Reservoirs in the South Platte Basin are full from spring snows, but the rest of the state's storage pools are dangerously low, and farmers are struggling.

In the heart of the San Joaquin Valley, two groundwater sustainability agencies try to...

Agencies in two counties are pursuing different approaches to address overdraft and meet requirements of California’s groundwater law.

The water war in Indian Wells Valley

California pistachio farmers are facing off against the U.S. Navy over water rights. The outcome could shape future legal fights as climate change upends the status quo.

Colorado, USDA double down on soil, water conservation with $5M program

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

Are New York billionaires different than Colorado’s? Work group eyes new tools to stop...

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.