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

Photos: All-American Canal, February 2021

This page features aerial photos of the All-American Canal near Winterhaven, California. The All-American Canal begins at the Imperial Dam in southeastern California and flows west—nearly parallel to the California-Mexico...

Photos: Blue Mesa Reservoir, July 2021

This page features photos of Blue Mesa Reservoir, along the Gunnison River in Colorado's Curecanti National Recreation Area. Created by 390-foot Blue Mesa Dam, the reservoir has a total capacity of 940,700 acre-feet, making...

How this spring’s snowpack is stacking up

No joke: April 1 readings were decent across many parts of the West, but some areas are still stuck in a snow drought
Madeline Ryder planting mesquite in an in-ground rainwater harvesting basin in the Sugar Hill neighborhood of Tucson, Arizona. Source: Watershed Management Group

Millions of Americans lack access to running water. An ancient method of capturing rainwater...

Advocates say rainwater harvesting is a key component to improving water access and countering climate change

Dropping reservoirs create ‘green light’ for sustainability on Colorado River

Dropping reservoir levels have opened a window of opportunity for water-management policies that move the river system toward sustainability.

Forest Service approves test drilling for Whitney Reservoir site

The U.S. Forest Service approved an application from the cities of Aurora and Colorado Springs for geotechnical drilling in the Homestake Valley, one of the first steps toward building a new dam and reservoir on Homestake Creek.
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.
Toxic waste from uranium pool photo

Two Southwest tribes raise concerns over uranium storage

In Utah, a pool of toxic waste is emitting dangerous amounts of radon to the surrounding communities, including the Ute Mountain Ute Tribe.

Building a network for water journalism

The Water Desk is home to a collaborative network of media outlets that cross-publish content related to Western water issues. Members are encouraged to share content, promote one another’s work...
A view of the Glen Canyon Dam at Lake Powell photo

As Lake Powell dries up, the US turns to creative accounting for a short-term...

A new agreement calls for Western states to leave their drinking water in the reservoir — and act as if they didn't.