Why atmospheric rivers can be both harmful and helpful
These "rivers in the sky" can cause catastrophic flooding but are also critical for the West's snowpack
How well-managed dams and smart forecasting can limit flooding as extreme storms become more...
Here’s what reservoir managers think about during storms, and how efforts to improve forecasting may soon be able to reduce flood damage
Renegade rancher
40 million people rely on the Colorado River system for water and power. But after 20 years of drought, the river basin is running low. For the Water Desk,...
New study shows Durango’s water supplies declining dramatically as climate change, drought hit home
A new study finds that Durango can no longer depend solely on direct flow from the Florida and Animas rivers for a reliable supply of water.
El Niño is back – that’s good news or bad news, depending on where...
El Niño is officially here, and federal forecasters expect this global disrupter of worldwide weather patterns to gradually strengthen.
Farmers weigh tough choices as uncertain water future looms
With unpredictable water resources, farmers in New Mexico must gamble in order to keep their agricultural production viable.
Colorado River states bought time with a 3-year water conservation deal – now they...
The May 2023 deal staves off an immediate water crisis but does not solve long-term problems in the Colorado River Basin.
Amid a withering drought, New Mexico leaders struggle to plan for life with less...
New Mexico faces tough choices as a dire and historic drought continues and the Rio Grande is unable to give everyone what they want or need.
It’s all white: Colorado statewide snowpack tops 140%, though reservoirs still low
Drought in the West persists, but the increase in snowpack will likely allow for a significant recovery in reservoirs and soil moisture.
The Colorado River drought crisis: 5 essential reads
Five articles from The Conversation’s archive explain what’s happening and what’s at stake in the Colorado River basin’s drought crisis.