Fearing ‘catastrophic impacts’ from water cuts, Nevada sues feds over Colorado River plan

Nevada is the first state to sue over the Trump administration’s 10-year strategy for how to stabilize use of the Colorado River.

How low can the Colorado River go? A slow float on the 15-mile reach

On a hot and sunny morning in August, a group of nine paddlers pushed their duckies and stand-up paddle boards into the Colorado River...

‘Pain and suffering’: What the feds’ Lake Powell proposal means for Utah and other...

After years of analysis and stalled negotiations, the federal government last month finally laid out its proposal for managing the Colorado River’s biggest reservoirs for the...

Federal plan makes steep Colorado River water cuts to Arizona, California and Nevada

The Bureau of Reclamation’s final environmental impact statement leaves the door open for states to come to an agreement on how to share the water—and for legal battles.

The clock is ticking for New Mexico to cut Rio Grande water use

Photos by Paul Ratje. Reporting supported by the Water Desk at the University of Colorado Boulder. HATCH, N.M.—After 13 years, Texas and New Mexico have...

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...

Western Slope lawmakers take Colorado River managers to task

Missed deadlines, threat of litigation, conservation program prompt questions

‘It’s devastating’: Drawdown at Flaming Gorge hits local recreation economy

As campers with boats flocked to Buckboard Marina at the start of Memorial Day weekend, Tony Valdez was busy issuing refunds and repairing broken...

As Lake Powell drops, a thriving ecosystem is emerging

“We’re entering beaver land!” Zanna Stutz yelled joyfully. Stepping lightly over slick, wobbly mud and splashing through ankle-deep water, she approached a small dam created...

Hoover Dam approaches a hydropower cliff

Some day in the next 12 months – maybe in late-August, maybe not until next spring – Lake Mead will drop below the critical...