Western Water Reporting
Throughout the history of the American West, water issues have shown their ability to both unite and divide communities. As an imbalance between water supplies and demands grows in the region, KSUT is committed to covering the stories that emerge.
Reporters Luke Runyon and Alex Hager cover the Colorado River basin. They report from the snowy headwaters in Colorado to Lakes Powell and Mead, to the river's delta in Mexico.
KSUT is a member of Western Water Reporting along with stations throughout Colorado, Arizona, New Mexico, Utah, California, Nevada, Wyoming, and Kansas. Stories are produced at KUNC in Greeley, Colorado.
LATEST STORIES
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Alex Hager/KUNCNewly discovered damage to part of the dam holding back America's second-largest reservoir has people who rely on the Colorado River worried about their ability to get the water they need. -
Alex Hager/KUNCDamage inside Glen Canyon Dam could mean problems with the "river outlet works," a set of small tubes near the bottom of the dam that were originally intended to release excess water when the reservoir is nearing full capacity. The dam allows water to pass through to the Colorado River and Grand Canyon. -
Alex Hager/KUNCA coalition of environmental groups has proposed a set of new rules for managing the Colorado River amid heated negotiations about how to share the water supply, which is shrinking due to climate changed. -
Alex Hager/KUNCThe Gila River Indian Tribe (GRIC) in Arizona said it does not support the Lower Basin's proposal for post-2026 river management, adding a new layer to complicated negotiations. -
Alex Hager/KUNCThe seven states that use water from the Colorado River have proposed competing plans for how it should be managed after 2026. Colorado, New Mexico, Utah, and Wyoming have one plan in mind. California, Arizona and Nevada have a different idea. The states primarily disagree about the how to account for climate change and how to release water from Lake Powell. -
Alex Hager/KUNCWater negotiators from states around the Southwest said they are planning to submit separate proposals to the Bureau of Reclamation about managing the Colorado River after 2026.
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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. -
Winter snow in the Rockies provides the majority of the Colorado River's water supply. As negotiators work on long-term rules for sharing the river, a dry winter could add some urgency. -
A new document from the federal government shows how some pressure is lifted from states that use water from the Colorado River until 2026, but bigger challenges lie ahead. -
A report from the Bureau of Reclamation shows some consensus among water stakeholders but highlights lingering divisions among a diverse pool of water users. -
A new survey of farmers and ranchers found they mainly trust local agencies and have not taken much advantage of state and federal payout programs. -
The invasive rusty crayfish was discovered in Lake Granby, and Colorado Parks and Wildlife is concerned because of its proximity to the Colorado River. -
The System Conservation Pilot Program is ready to spend additional millions from the Inflation Reduction Act to save water in the agriculture industry through 2024. -
The latest study from the Bureau of Reclamation shows how a wet winter in 2023 helped boost Lake Powell and Colorado River water supplies. But experts say more cuts to demand for the water supply are needed. -
Cities throughout the Colorado River basin are looking to stretch out their existing water supplies in the face of climate change and steady demand. Some are turning to direct potable reuse, which treats wastewater until it's clean enough to drink. -
The laws that govern our region’s rivers and reservoirs are tough to wrap your mind around. But art can create an emotional connection that helps people understand what’s at stake, as seen in one painter’s depiction of the Colorado River.
