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

What is an atmospheric river? A hydrologist explains the good and bad of these flood-prone storms...

On average, atmospheric rivers have about twice the regular flow of the Amazon River.

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

Stream restoration bill watered down

A bill making it easier for stream-restoration projects to take place has been gutted after stakeholders couldn’t reach an agreement.

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.

Epic snow from all those atmospheric rivers in the West is starting to melt,...

A meteorologist explains how 2023’s storms compare to past extremes and what to expect in the future.

Atmospheric rivers over California’s wildfire burn scars raise fears of deadly mudslides – this...

One natural disaster often leads to another and in California these consecutive events are leading to human disasters.

The Great Drenching

How did California get battered by a relentless barrage of devastating atmospheric river storms despite La Niña?

Which wetlands should receive federal protection? The Supreme Court revisits a question it has...

A wetland protection case being reviewed by the U.S. Supreme Court will determine which bodies of water can be federally regulated.

Harvesting water in arid lands – Water Buffs Podcast ep. 11 – Brad Lancaster

Brad Lancaster, author and expert on water harvesting, explains how to make the most of rainfall and greywater to stretch local supplies.