Drought

The U.S. Department of Agriculture is spending $60 million to help tribal farmers in the Mountain West use less water amid drought – and still grow their crops.

The state must build resiliency into its land and water use planning to deal with water scarcity and promote responsible and sustainable growth.

Great Salt Lake is famous for winter storms where the Lake Effect brings more mountain snow. But it turns out the opposite is also true — less water in the lake leads to less precipitation.

Dendrochronologists found that high temperatures in the 21st century make the current drought unprecedented compared to other dry periods around the Colorado River across the past 500 years.

Today we’ll check in with reporter Alex Hager. Alex Hager has recently reported stories with the following headlines: Winter snow could help recharge the Colorado River. But what if it doesn't? We talk about it on this episode.

The Fifth National Climate Assessment highlights drought as a major hazard in the Southwest and says its impacts are most likely to harm tribal communities.

A snowy winter and rainy spring have provided a major boost to states in the grips of drought and helped ease pressure on water managers in the Colorado River basin.

All of last year, the news about the Great Salt Lake was going from bad to worse. We began to hear dire predictions that the shrinking lake might disappear altogether. Then, finally, with some legislative action and a big boost from record snow and rain, the water level began to rise. The Great Salt Lake is our unique treasure. But it’s future is still at risk. Will we keep it or lose it?

Parched is a podcast from Colorado Public Radio about people who rely on the Colorado River, and have ideas to save it. On this episode we hear the first episode from Parched, titled The Last Straw. Then we’ll talk with host Michael Sakas.

An aerial tour of Great Salt Lake shows water flowing from the Bear River and replenishing the lake, providing a much-needed respite to the ecosystem.