Water Conservation

Researchers found only a small portion of rivers may be able to sustain freshwater biodiversity as the climate warms. The headwaters of the Colorado River system is among the more resilient areas.

In other news, billboards highlighting the Great Salt Lake's decline are back along the Wasatch Front. The lake dropped below 30% of its natural volume since the billboards were launched last year.

The river's complicated calendar means Arizona's water cuts won't become official until Jan. 1. The state is polishing up deal with California and Nevada to spread out the pain of cutbacks.

Some reservoirs have lost more than one-quarter of their original storage capacity. The Colorado River basin is one of the hardest hit, especially because of the West's drier climate.

A coalition of chambers of commerce, including four from Utah, sent a letter to congress asking the federal government to send new money for water-saving work.

The Hualapai Tribe said hyperscale data centers threaten its sacred water, lands, environment, and way of life. Some of its neighbors are similarly worried about development.

In other news, Ogden residents can now participate in Weber Basin's waterwise lawn program. And, unusually loud U.S. Army detonations in Tooele County on Monday shook residents' homes.

After years of disagreement between states, the federal government stepped in last month with a plan. Nevada is already suing, and more litigation could follow.

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.

In other news, Washington County cities can add more savings to the waterwise landscaping program. And, Salt Lake County is addressing mail-in voters' concerns ahead of November's elections.