Drought

A federal plan for the Colorado River means big water cuts for Arizona, with the Phoenix and Tucson areas hit hard. City leaders say they can keep taps flowing, but solutions will be expensive.

El Niño is expected to be strong this year, possibly the strongest on record. It's forecasted to give parts of Utah above-normal precipitation, but it's still a toss-up in northern Utah.

Environmental groups petitioned against Project Jupiter, alleging a lack of due process. The state's Supreme Court paused a well water permit and proposed air quality permit for the project.

That means the fire has been completely surrounded and is unlikely to grow larger. In other news, Lake Powell's ferry could close for good after years of issues with low water levels.

A poor snow year has led to low water levels for rivers in the West, while hot weather pushes water temperatures up. That's bad news for both fish and river recreators.

The latest federal drought forecast highlights where relief may be on the way, and where dry conditions are likely to continue. That includes the struggling Colorado River Basin.

In other news, some Riverton residents oppose the city's agreement with federal immigration enforcement. And, some evacuation orders were lifted for the Widemouth 2 Fire.

Millions of Coloradans remain under strict water restrictions because of historic drought. Failing to conserve could mean empty reservoirs and even harsher restrictions.

Boulder City officials said Bureau of Land Management officials never worked with them on approving the data center. They also expressed concern over environmental impact.

High temperatures and a poor snowpack led to a lackluster winter for nearby ski resorts. But according to experts and trail users, those conditions could have consequences for summer sports, too.