As the Colorado River Basin dries, can an accidental oasis survive?
CIÉNEGA DE SANTA CLARA, Mexico – More than 40 years ago, agricultural runoff diverted to northern Mexico created the largest wetland in the Sonoran Desert. But as water becomes ever more scarce, can it survive?
Final 100 miles of the Colorado highlight how badly the river is overtaxed
SAN LUIS RIO COLORADO, Mexico – By the time the Colorado River reaches the border with Mexico, it’s pretty much spent. Ninety percent of the river’s water is used in the U.S., which has dramatic effects on northern Mexico.
‘Done’ isn’t done: What’s happening with the Colorado River drought plans?
GREELEY, Colo. – The Drought Contingency Plan is designed to rein in water use and — at least for six years — prevent the whole system from crashing.
Despite gaps in science, cloud seeding embraced by some water managers
WOLCOTT, Colo. – Cloud seeding, in which silver iodide is introduced into snow storms, has been around for years, despite solid science on its effectiveness. But with ongoing drought and a warming climate, more water experts in the West are willing to give it a chance.
Time is running short for Colorado River managers to hammer out drought plan
LAS VEGAS – Water managers across the West, particularly in Arizona, are under pressure to implement a contingency plan to keep dwindling reservoirs from collapse.
Dry and getting drier: Water scarcity in Southwest is the new norm, study says
GREELEY, Colo. – The Fourth National Climate Assessment makes it clear – climate change is happening, it’s human-caused, and it could make life increasingly difficult.
‘Our fish’: Dedicated biologists scour Colorado River to help endangered species survive
GRAND JUNCTION, Colo. – Wildlife officials use electrified rafts to momentarily stun fish and pull them out of the water. They remove non-native fish – such as smallmouth bass – and eventually discard them in a local landfill.
Water thieves, beware: This Colorado ‘water cop’ is on the case
CORTEZ, Colo. – Dave Huhn is a sheriff’s deputy for Montezuma County, Colorado, a stretch of sagebrush mesas and sandstone cliffs bordering Utah, Arizona and New Mexico. Unlike other local law enforcement throughout the West, Huhn specializes in the complex world of water law.
Flush with success: Low-flow toilets are water-conservation champ
LONGMONT – In water conservation the modern toilet reigns as M.V.P. in cutting Western water use, give some props to the toilet.
