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

Ruedi Reservoir photo

How low can Ruedi Reservoir go?

Water levels could fall so low this winter that the city of Aspemay struggle to generate power, and water owners could see shortages.
Yampa River photo

Tri-State, Xcel, Colorado eye Yampa River water for “green hydrogen” projects

The Yampa Valley’s existing coal-fired plants have strong water portfolios that could be used to create green hydrogen or another storage technology called molten salt.

Crop-switching in the megadrought

Farmers in Arizona are hoping that guayule, a hardy plant that produces natural rubber, can become a profitable crop requiring far less water than alfalfa, corn and cotton. Gary...
Boaters at Cedar Springs Marina photo

A “gut punch” as water rushes from Flaming Gorge to save Lake Powell’s hydropower...

The drought hit crisis proportions this summer, pushing lakes Powell and Mead to historic lows and triggering emergency releases.
Sprinkler gif

Just 53% of Colorado cities use permanent watering restrictions, despite proven savings

Despite a drought and below-normal reservoir levels, communities remain split on permanent outdoor watering restrictions.
Parks and Wildlife officer photo

Colorado reaches settlement on Chatfield Reservoir environmental water plan

Colorado water officials have reached a settlement removing one of the last barriers to a new water program in Chatfield Reservoir.

Demand management discussions continue amid worsening Colorado River crisis

The crisis on the Colorado River is not waiting for the state of Colorado to develop a program to avoid water shortages.
Crystal River photo

Facing drought and increased demands, Colorado communities eye new storage alternatives

Colorado could need 750,000 acre-feet of new water supplies by 2050 for its growing population, but how to store that water isn’t clear.
Las Vegas photo

As climate change turns up the heat in Las Vegas, water managers try to...

Rising temperatures will drive up water demand as a historic drought in the Colorado River Basin imperils Southern Nevada's key water source.
Thinning trees photo

Western governors ask feds to expand state partnerships to address wildfires, climate change

Western governors say it's time to help states recover from wildfires, thin overgrown forests and protect mountain water systems.