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

Rio Blanco secures water right for dam-and-reservoir project

A judge has granted a water conservancy district in northwest Colorado a water right for a new dam-and-reservoir project that top state engineers had opposed.

Can New Mexico’s Ancient Water System Survive Climate Change?

Traditional irrigation canals, or acequias, could help balance the water supply during droughts — if they are protected.

Why don’t we just fix the Colorado River crisis by piping in water from...

The Colorado River is a lifeline for about 40 million people across the Southwest. It supplies major cities like Los Angeles, Phoenix, and Denver and a multibillion-dollar agriculture industry...

New poll: Slim majority supports spending more to protect Colorado’s water

A majority of Colorado voters believe the state should spend more money to protect its water resources, but they’re not willing to support new state taxes to fund the work.

Is ecosystem change in the Sacramento-San Joaquin Delta outpacing the ability of science to...

A science panel argues for a new approach to make research nimbler and more forward-looking to improve management in the ailing Delta.

California’s dream has turned into water nightmares

A new book looks at the Golden State’s history to understand its current water crisis.

Map: U.S. dams and reservoirs

The Global Reservoir and Dam Database (GRaND) is a survey listing about 7,000 larger dams and reservoirs worldwide, including 1,920 in the United States. Data includes such parameters as...

Can Colorado’s source streams make a comeback? These scientists, and beavers, think so

Restoring natural infrastructure, such as beaver habitat and the wetlands it creates, could shield communities from damaging floods, remove toxins and high sediment loads from water, and reduce the apocalyptic effects of megafires.

Gunnison River water agencies win $340,000 in federal drought grants, launch contingency planning

The Bureau of Reclamation gives funding through its WaterSMART program to five Western states to help combat drought and infrastructure issues.

What to watch on the Colorado River in 2024

After years of dry conditions throughout the West, 2023 gave the region’s water managers the greatest gift of all: a hefty snowpack. What will 2024 bring?