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

Photos: Parker Dam, February 2021

This page features photos of Parker Dam, located along the Colorado River on the Arizona-California border.   Built between 1934 and 1938 by the Bureau of Reclamation, Parker Dam is...

Coke, Coors Seltzer, water trust announce Colorado River initiative

A coalition of high-profile businesses have signed up to add additional water for fish, farmers and hydropower generation to a key segment of the drought-stressed Colorado River.
Environmental release flows into the El Chausse restoration site photo

Water-starved Colorado River Delta gets another shot of life from the river’s flows

Despite water shortages along the drought-stressed Colorado River, experimental flows resumed in Mexico to revive trees and provide habitat.
South Platte River

Aurora inks $43.7 million in water deals on South Platte River

Thirsty Front Range Colorado cities continue to drive the market for South Platte River farm water with Aurora announcing two major deals to acquire farms and their water rights.

A Colorado River Veteran Takes on the Top Water & Science Post at Interior...

Tanya Trujillo brings two decades of experience on Colorado River issues as she takes on the challenges of a river basin stressed by climate change.

Photos: Snowpack in San Juan Mountains, May 2023

This page in our free multimedia library features aerial photos of the snowpack in the San Juan Mountains of southwest Colorado. The San Juans are mostly located in southwest Colorado...

Video story: Cooling the Yampa river (full length)

As climate change brings warmer weather, Westerners are looking for ways to protect the region’s rivers and streams. In a special report for the Water Desk, Jerd Smith of Fresh Water News explains a strategy for safeguarding Colorado’s Yampa River.

Troubled waters

Confronted with the specter of a New Mexico parched by climate change, some have begun to push back against a water model that focuses primarily on putting as much water to use as possible.

In New Mexico, Partners Collaborate to End Siege from Megafires

Initiative in the Rio Grande basin intends to thwart catastrophic wildfires that wreck watersheds.

Scientists clash over how to track the West’s vital snowpack

Supporters of airborne snow surveys dispute “hotspots” study on water forecasts