Exploring water issues in other western states, including Nevada, Arizona, New Mexico, Colorado, Utah, Wyoming, Idaho, Montana, Oregon and Washington. https://www.newsdeeply.com/water/american-west/rss en Agriculture American West Climate & Weather Environment & Wildlife Law & Policy Management & Supply Wed, 31 Oct 2018 08:00:00 +0000 Brent Gardner-Smith https://www.newsdeeply.com/water/articles/2018/10/31/battle-ahead-in-colorado-on-water-conserved-for-lake-powell-storage https://www.newsdeeply.com/water/articles/2018/10/31/battle-ahead-in-colorado-on-water-conserved-for-lake-powell-storage With shortages looming, Colorado interests are struggling to finalize a drought contingency plan. The state is split between East and West over whether water saved to boost Lake Powell storage should be required or voluntary. American West Economics Innovation Law & Policy Management & Supply Solutions Fri, 26 Oct 2018 08:00:00 +0000 Gary Pitzer https://www.newsdeeply.com/water/articles/2018/10/26/in-water-stressed-west-an-old-water-efficiency-metric-needs-a-reboot https://www.newsdeeply.com/water/articles/2018/10/26/in-water-stressed-west-an-old-water-efficiency-metric-needs-a-reboot The acre-foot yardstick has been a reliable standby for water agency officials to explain water use to the public. But it may be time to recalibrate our thinking on that as communities plan new development. Agriculture American West Climate & Weather Law & Policy Management & Supply Wed, 24 Oct 2018 10:30:00 +0000 Matt Weiser https://www.newsdeeply.com/water/articles/2018/10/24/oregon-already-struggling-with-drought-may-have-still-more-to-come https://www.newsdeeply.com/water/articles/2018/10/24/oregon-already-struggling-with-drought-may-have-still-more-to-come Record heat and low rainfall have prompted drought emergency declarations in nearly a third of Oregon’s counties. Predicted El Niño conditions may mean there’s no relief in store this winter. Agriculture American West Economics Energy Law & Policy Management & Supply Tue, 23 Oct 2018 08:00:00 +0000 Angus M. Thuermer Jr., Wyofile.com https://www.newsdeeply.com/water/articles/2018/10/23/wyoming-is-missing-out-on-a-wrinkle-in-water-law-worth-millions https://www.newsdeeply.com/water/articles/2018/10/23/wyoming-is-missing-out-on-a-wrinkle-in-water-law-worth-millions Agricultural interests are getting rich off temporary transfers of water to serve oil fracking wells. Even though water is considered a public resource in the state, Wyoming receives only tiny fees for each transfer. Agriculture American West Climate & Weather Economics Innovation Law & Policy Management & Supply Solutions Mon, 22 Oct 2018 08:00:00 +0000 Hannah Holm https://www.newsdeeply.com/water/community/2018/10/22/colorado-river-crisis-demands-focus-on-farm-conservation-programs https://www.newsdeeply.com/water/community/2018/10/22/colorado-river-crisis-demands-focus-on-farm-conservation-programs Small programs can go a long way to save water and help farmers survive the coming shortages on the Colorado River. These should be the next focus for policymakers now wrestling with drought contingency plans. Agriculture American West Environment & Wildlife Innovation Law & Policy Management & Supply Solutions Thu, 18 Oct 2018 08:00:00 +0000 Matt Weiser https://www.newsdeeply.com/water/community/2018/10/18/why-california-law-requires-a-clear-benefit-for-groundwater-recharge https://www.newsdeeply.com/water/community/2018/10/18/why-california-law-requires-a-clear-benefit-for-groundwater-recharge Aquifer recharge by itself isn’t enough to win a water diversion permit in California, says Erik Ekdahl of the State Water Resources Control Board. A more specific benefit is required, and the board is working to ease the process. Agriculture American West Climate & Weather Thu, 11 Oct 2018 08:00:00 +0000 Matt Weiser https://www.newsdeeply.com/water/community/2018/10/11/why-you-shouldnt-get-your-hopes-up-about-an-el-nio-this-winter https://www.newsdeeply.com/water/community/2018/10/11/why-you-shouldnt-get-your-hopes-up-about-an-el-nio-this-winter It’s become almost common currency that El Niño conditions in the Pacific Ocean mean wet winters in the West. But history shows that’s not necessarily so, partly because many other weather phenomena also play a role in precipitation. American West Climate & Weather Innovation Law & Policy Management & Supply Solutions Mon, 08 Oct 2018 08:00:00 +0000 Brent Gardner-Smith https://www.newsdeeply.com/water/articles/2018/10/08/in-colorado-water-bosses-begin-to-accept-climate-change-impacts https://www.newsdeeply.com/water/articles/2018/10/08/in-colorado-water-bosses-begin-to-accept-climate-change-impacts Old assumptions aren’t working to predict today’s water supplies in the Rocky Mountain state, much less the future. Many planning scenarios ‘are actually pretty scary,’ says one water official. Agriculture American West Climate & Weather Environment & Wildlife Innovation Management & Supply Fri, 05 Oct 2018 08:00:00 +0000 Matt Weiser https://www.newsdeeply.com/water/community/2018/10/05/deeply-talks-drought-on-the-colorado-can-we-adapt-to-changing-runoff https://www.newsdeeply.com/water/community/2018/10/05/deeply-talks-drought-on-the-colorado-can-we-adapt-to-changing-runoff Shrinking snowpack in the Colorado River watershed is not just a water supply problem, but could also lead to a variety of water quality concerns. Listen to two experts describe these changes and how we might adapt. Agriculture American West Climate & Weather Law & Policy Management & Supply Toxic Taps Thu, 04 Oct 2018 08:00:00 +0000 Matt Weiser https://www.newsdeeply.com/water/articles/2018/10/04/is-groundwater-recharge-a-beneficial-use-california-law-says-no https://www.newsdeeply.com/water/articles/2018/10/04/is-groundwater-recharge-a-beneficial-use-california-law-says-no State law does not currently allow surface water to be used for groundwater recharge if the goal is managing pollution, reversing subsidence or controlling salinity. That could be a problem as local agencies begin trying to make their groundwater use more sustainable. American West Economics Energy Environment & Wildlife Law & Policy Management & Supply Toxic Taps Mon, 01 Oct 2018 08:00:00 +0000 Stephanie Malin, Tara Opsal https://www.newsdeeply.com/water/articles/2018/10/01/colorado-voters-face-competing-measures-to-restrict-fracking-wells https://www.newsdeeply.com/water/articles/2018/10/01/colorado-voters-face-competing-measures-to-restrict-fracking-wells Amid concern about groundwater contamination, a ballot measure would force new fracking wells to keep their distance from homes. Another, sponsored by the oil industry, would force local government to compensate property owners for any lost value that results. Agriculture American West Environment & Wildlife Law & Policy Management & Supply Fri, 28 Sep 2018 08:00:00 +0000 Matt Weiser https://www.newsdeeply.com/water/community/2018/09/28/on-wetland-regulation-we-may-define-away-nature-at-our-own-peril https://www.newsdeeply.com/water/community/2018/09/28/on-wetland-regulation-we-may-define-away-nature-at-our-own-peril Efforts by the Trump administration to rewrite wetlands regulations could undermine natural functions that are crucial to clean drinking water, flood protection and wildlife habitat, says Jessica Kao. Agriculture American West Climate & Weather Environment & Wildlife Law & Policy Management & Supply Tue, 25 Sep 2018 08:00:00 +0000 Laura Paskus https://www.newsdeeply.com/water/articles/2018/09/25/as-new-mexico-reservoirs-hit-bottom-worries-grow-over-the-future https://www.newsdeeply.com/water/articles/2018/09/25/as-new-mexico-reservoirs-hit-bottom-worries-grow-over-the-future The state’s reservoirs have done their job to help water users survive record drought in 2018. Now they are almost totally dry, and tensions are building over the year ahead. ‘Climate change is really happening,’ one water official says. American West Climate & Weather Economics Energy Environment & Wildlife Law & Policy Fri, 21 Sep 2018 08:00:00 +0000 Anthony F. Arrigo https://www.newsdeeply.com/water/articles/2018/09/21/hoover-dam-as-giant-battery-the-hurdles-are-more-legal-than-technical https://www.newsdeeply.com/water/articles/2018/09/21/hoover-dam-as-giant-battery-the-hurdles-are-more-legal-than-technical Los Angeles is proposing to build a 20-mile pipeline to transform Hoover Dam into a pumped storage hydropower project. It’s certainly feasible – except for the ongoing political and legal conflict over the Colorado River. American West Climate & Weather Environment & Wildlife Law & Policy Management & Supply Solutions Thu, 20 Sep 2018 08:00:00 +0000 Jay Ziegler https://www.newsdeeply.com/water/community/2018/09/20/congress-must-move-to-renew-federal-fund-vital-for-watershed-protection https://www.newsdeeply.com/water/community/2018/09/20/congress-must-move-to-renew-federal-fund-vital-for-watershed-protection The Land and Water Conservation Fund is set to expire on September 30, and Congress has made no move to revive it. That’s a mistake, as the fund is important to protect landscapes that deliver essential water supplies. American West Climate & Weather Environment & Wildlife Innovation Law & Policy Management & Supply Wed, 19 Sep 2018 08:00:00 +0000 Matt Weiser https://www.newsdeeply.com/water/articles/2018/09/19/monsoon-storms-key-to-recharging-groundwater-may-become-less-common https://www.newsdeeply.com/water/articles/2018/09/19/monsoon-storms-key-to-recharging-groundwater-may-become-less-common A new study has revealed that monsoons in the Southwest have already become less common but more extreme in nature, posing new challenges for water managers eager to capture crucial runoff. American West Economics Energy Innovation Law & Policy Solutions Mon, 17 Sep 2018 08:00:00 +0000 Laura Paskus https://www.newsdeeply.com/water/articles/2018/09/17/in-new-mexico-move-to-reuse-fracking-water-stirs-cry-for-transparency https://www.newsdeeply.com/water/articles/2018/09/17/in-new-mexico-move-to-reuse-fracking-water-stirs-cry-for-transparency The state formed a working group, with the blessing of the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency, to find ways to reuse wastewater from natural gas fracking wells. But concerned citizens say the process needs more daylight. American West Climate & Weather Energy Environment & Wildlife Innovation Law & Policy Management & Supply Solutions Fri, 14 Sep 2018 05:00:00 +0000 Matt Weiser https://www.newsdeeply.com/water/community/2018/09/14/can-we-operate-the-colorado-river-differently-amid-climate-change https://www.newsdeeply.com/water/community/2018/09/14/can-we-operate-the-colorado-river-differently-amid-climate-change It will be challenging to adapt to changing precipitation and snowmelt patterns in the vital Colorado River watershed. Jack Schmidt at Utah State University is launching a project that may provide some answers. Agriculture American West Climate & Weather Environment & Wildlife Law & Policy Management & Supply Solutions Thu, 13 Sep 2018 08:00:00 +0000 Ted Kowalski https://www.newsdeeply.com/water/community/2018/09/13/more-conservation-cooperation-vital-to-our-new-era-of-water-shortages https://www.newsdeeply.com/water/community/2018/09/13/more-conservation-cooperation-vital-to-our-new-era-of-water-shortages New evidence tells us water shortages aren’t going away in the Colorado River Basin. They’ll likely just get worse. Survival requires new funding sources and a new commitment to conservation. Agriculture American West Environment & Wildlife Law & Policy Management & Supply Wed, 12 Sep 2018 08:00:00 +0000 Brent Gardner-Smith https://www.newsdeeply.com/water/articles/2018/09/12/for-colorado-candidates-new-water-storage-a-key-political-identifier https://www.newsdeeply.com/water/articles/2018/09/12/for-colorado-candidates-new-water-storage-a-key-political-identifier Size matters when the political debate turns to water storage in Colorado. Some candidates want as much as possible, some are only OK with small reservoirs. Either way, more Front Range water diversions are a touchy subject. Agriculture American West Climate & Weather Energy Environment & Wildlife Law & Policy Management & Supply Solutions Tue, 11 Sep 2018 08:00:00 +0000 Matt Weiser https://www.newsdeeply.com/water/articles/2018/09/11/crisis-at-lake-powell-looms-large-as-long-term-drought-reaches-upstream https://www.newsdeeply.com/water/articles/2018/09/11/crisis-at-lake-powell-looms-large-as-long-term-drought-reaches-upstream Water shortages at Lake Mead have drawn all the attention in recent years. Now water rationing has reached far into the Colorado River’s snowy headwaters, prompting concern about the long-term operation of Lake Powell. American West Economics Law & Policy Management & Supply Solutions Toxic Taps Mon, 10 Sep 2018 08:00:00 +0000 Nell Green Nylen, Michael Kiparsky https://www.newsdeeply.com/water/community/2018/09/10/saving-troubled-water-systems-requires-flexible-solutions-not-mandates https://www.newsdeeply.com/water/community/2018/09/10/saving-troubled-water-systems-requires-flexible-solutions-not-mandates California’s five-year drought highlighted the struggles faced by small water systems. Legal and policy solutions are in the works, but they must remain adaptable to meet the needs of small communities. Agriculture American West Environment & Wildlife Law & Policy Solutions Fri, 07 Sep 2018 08:00:00 +0000 Matt Weiser https://www.newsdeeply.com/water/articles/2018/09/07/water-agencies-farmers-fret-over-californias-move-to-regulate-wetlands https://www.newsdeeply.com/water/articles/2018/09/07/water-agencies-farmers-fret-over-californias-move-to-regulate-wetlands Managing groundwater recharge basins and irrigation ponds could become more troublesome under California’s plan to counteract the Trump administration’s rollback of wetland protections, industry experts say. American West Climate & Weather Management & Supply Solutions Thu, 06 Sep 2018 03:00:00 +0000 Lindsay Abrams https://www.newsdeeply.com/water/community/2018/09/06/why-some-water-managers-are-unprepared-for-climate-change https://www.newsdeeply.com/water/community/2018/09/06/why-some-water-managers-are-unprepared-for-climate-change California water managers vary in their willingness and ability to take climate risks into account, according to a recent study from U.C. Davis. Improved relationships between scientists and decision-makers may help. American West Climate & Weather Environment & Wildlife Management & Supply Wed, 05 Sep 2018 12:00:00 +0000 Lindsay Abrams https://www.newsdeeply.com/water/community/2018/09/05/deeply-talks-fire-drought-the-extremes-become-routine https://www.newsdeeply.com/water/community/2018/09/05/deeply-talks-fire-drought-the-extremes-become-routine The West has entered an era of permanent water scarcity and is facing more frequent, larger wildfires. Listen to two experts explain how these challenges – and our approaches to managing them – are intertwined. American West Economics Environment & Wildlife Law & Policy Management & Supply Mon, 03 Sep 2018 14:00:00 +0000 Matt Weiser https://www.newsdeeply.com/water/articles/2018/09/03/amid-trump-rollbacks-california-moves-to-regulate-wetlands-on-its-own https://www.newsdeeply.com/water/articles/2018/09/03/amid-trump-rollbacks-california-moves-to-regulate-wetlands-on-its-own The Trump administration is moving to weaken the so-called Waters of the U.S. rule, which protects wetlands and other waterways from development. California plans its own regulations to fill the gap, but progress is slow. American West Environment & Wildlife Management & Supply Solutions Tue, 28 Aug 2018 10:00:00 +0000 Lindsay Abrams https://www.newsdeeply.com/water/community/2018/08/28/expert-views-managing-wildfires-to-protect-water-resources https://www.newsdeeply.com/water/community/2018/08/28/expert-views-managing-wildfires-to-protect-water-resources Researchers weigh in on the complex relationship between forest and water management in a region increasingly threatened by both wildfires and drought. Agriculture American West Innovation Law & Policy Management & Supply Solutions Fri, 24 Aug 2018 08:00:00 +0000 Kirsten James https://www.newsdeeply.com/water/community/2018/08/24/the-unanticipated-benefits-of-californias-water-policies https://www.newsdeeply.com/water/community/2018/08/24/the-unanticipated-benefits-of-californias-water-policies From software to robots to technology originally designed to detect water on Mars, market-based policy approaches are spurring innovation, writes Ceres’ Kirsten James. American West Environment & Wildlife Law & Policy Solutions Wed, 22 Aug 2018 03:00:00 +0000 Robin Meadows https://www.newsdeeply.com/water/articles/2018/08/22/a-century-on-the-battle-over-yosemites-hetch-hetchy-valley-continues https://www.newsdeeply.com/water/articles/2018/08/22/a-century-on-the-battle-over-yosemites-hetch-hetchy-valley-continues A lawsuit aimed at draining San Francisco’s reservoir in Yosemite National Park recently met another obstacle. But efforts to restore the flooded valley are far from over, supporters say. American West Climate & Weather Environment & Wildlife Law & Policy Solutions Tue, 21 Aug 2018 07:00:00 +0000 Stephen Pyne https://www.newsdeeply.com/water/community/2018/08/21/all-wildfires-are-not-alike-but-the-u-s-is-fighting-them-that-way https://www.newsdeeply.com/water/community/2018/08/21/all-wildfires-are-not-alike-but-the-u-s-is-fighting-them-that-way We need a new strategy to address multiple issues with wildfires, particularly in the wildland-urban interface where development and nature mix, says Arizona State professor Stephen Pyne.