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

Stream restoration projects focused on beavers present ‘unsettled’ issue

Some fear perceived harm to downstream water users could prompt push for water rights

Maybell project addresses problems for irrigators, boaters, fish

The Maybell Irrigation District and The Nature Conservancy are rehabilitating and modernizing a key headgate and diversion on the Yampa River.

Once a rich desert river, the Gila struggles to keep flowing

Population growth, agricultural withdrawals and climate change have badly diminished the river and threaten its future.

The Colorado River Is Dying. Can Its Aquatic Dinosaurs Be Saved?

The razorback sucker has survived in the river for more than 3 million years. Climate change could end that.

Grizzly Reservoir to be drained next summer for rehab work

The rehabilitation of Grizzly Dam addresses safety concerns of corroded steel, seepage and operational problems.

Tourist haven Grand Lake asks state to intervene in federal water quality stalemate

Grand County officials are searching for ways to prevent harmful algae blooms and weed growth in Grand Lake.

Advocacy and science work together to improve water quality in Coal Creek

Two non-profit groups in Crested Butte work to clean up waters still polluted from the Keystone and Standard mines.
Beach at Barr Lake, where agencies are working to remove toxic algae. May 31, 2022. Credit: Jerd Smith, Fresh Water News

Heading to the lake? Colorado trying new tools, including P-Free lawns, to combat toxic...

Colorado water officials hope to combat algae blooms caused by rising temperatures and an increased use of phosphorus-laced lawn fertilizers.
Satellite image of the Irrawaddy River delta in Myanmar photo

Rivers can suddenly change course – scientists used 50 years of satellite images to...

Beyond flooding, the unpredictability of the world's rivers is perpetuated by rare avulsions, which can cause them to abruptly change course.
Part of the mining operations at the marble quarry as seen from a path above the quarry in September 2021. The quarry operators will have to comply with 10 special conditions as part of their permit from the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers.

Marble quarry must build bridge, culvert and improve stream for Clean Water Act violation

Colorado Stone Quarries must rehabilitate streams they illegally diverted in 2018, but some say even more needs to be done.