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

Parshall Flume photo

State engineers developing measurement rules for water diversions

Colorado officials are preparing for a future with less water by developing rules for users to measure how much they're taking from streams.
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.

Floating down the San Joaquin River

The highly altered waterway still harbors stretches of wild beauty.

Can we save the San Joaquin’s salmon?

The upstream effort to restore a river and its fish.

Tour the San Joaquin River

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

Unclear waters: How pollution, diversions and drought are squeezing the life out of the...

The Arkansas Valley Conduit promises to bring clean drinking water to more residents of southeast Colorado.
Rafters on the Gunnison River photo

How many “boatable” days does a Colorado river possess? We’re about to find out

A prototype web tool uses historical data to give river users and water managers the ability to check an entire season’s flow forecast.
Denver Capitol photo

Colorado lawmakers say “yes” to more than $53M in new water funding

Colorado lawmakers approved bills to help finance the Colorado Water Plan, protect watersheds, mitigate wildfires and recover from drought.