Photos: Colorado River headwaters flight, October 2019
This photo gallery features images shot during a Lighthawk flight to the Colorado River headwaters and surrounding areas.
The flight began at Rocky Mountain Metropolitan Airport in Broomfield, proceeded...
Melting away in a hot drought
The snowpack that 40 million people rely on for water was supposed to provide a bounty this year. Instead, much of it melted away fast and early — part of a long-term trend associated with climate change.
Scientists use simple cameras to answer complex questions about forests and the snowpack
“Snowtography” captures how the snowpack can vary dramatically across short distances
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.
Spring runoff forecast looks better than last two years
Colorado’s predictions for spring runoff are looking better than the past two years, but streamflows are still expected to be below normal.
Critical April snowpack above average, but potential for dry spring causes concern
While snowpack and reservoirs are strong, forecasts for streamflows, which build as melting snow reaches streams, are expected to be below normal across southwestern and southeastern parts of the state.
La Niña likely to continue, intensifying drought, wildfires; snowpack hits 91% of average
Colorado's drought may continue into the fall, bringing a third year of below-average snowpack and streamflows and high wildfire danger.
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.
Colorado Reservoirs at 85% of average capacity, with little recovery expected summer rains may...
Drought and decreased snowpack have left Colorado reservoirs below average capacity levels.
Scientists in the East River watershed collect ‘mountains of data’ to understand water in...
In a first-of-its-kind project, scientists will trace snow from where it arrives in the atmosphere, to where it melts into the ground.