Emily Benson is an assistant editor at High Country News. https://www.newsdeeply.com/water/contributor/emily-benson/rss en American West Climate & Weather Wed, 04 Jul 2018 03:00:00 +0000 Emily Benson, High Country News https://www.newsdeeply.com/water/articles/2018/07/04/in-the-u-s-southwest-drought-doesnt-tell-the-whole-story https://www.newsdeeply.com/water/articles/2018/07/04/in-the-u-s-southwest-drought-doesnt-tell-the-whole-story Drought and wildfires across the U.S. Southwest this summer are a preview of what’s ahead in the decades to come. A shift to hotter, drier weather will also require a change in mind-set for the region’s residents. American West Law & Policy Mon, 28 May 2018 07:30:00 +0000 Emily Benson, High Country News https://www.newsdeeply.com/water/articles/2018/05/28/tribal-nations-hold-some-of-the-best-water-rights-in-the-west https://www.newsdeeply.com/water/articles/2018/05/28/tribal-nations-hold-some-of-the-best-water-rights-in-the-west Holding the best water rights doesn’t always guarantee tribes get to exercise them. They must often negotiate settlements that require federal approval, such as three deals now being considered by the U.S. Senate. American West Environment & Wildlife Law & Policy Mon, 19 Feb 2018 03:00:00 +0000 Emily Benson, High Country News https://www.newsdeeply.com/water/articles/2018/02/19/fight-over-household-wells-highlights-rural-growing-pains https://www.newsdeeply.com/water/articles/2018/02/19/fight-over-household-wells-highlights-rural-growing-pains As Washington tries to balance development in rural areas with the needs of rivers, fish and water users, its lessons may be helpful for other Western states. American West Energy Management & Supply Fri, 05 Jan 2018 03:00:00 +0000 Emily Benson, High Country News https://www.newsdeeply.com/water/articles/2018/01/05/the-tiny-power-plant-that-shapes-the-colorado-river https://www.newsdeeply.com/water/articles/2018/01/05/the-tiny-power-plant-that-shapes-the-colorado-river Although small, the Shoshone power plant in western Colorado plays an integral part in how water is managed on the upper Colorado River, thanks to its water rights. Agriculture Law & Policy Management & Supply Fri, 24 Nov 2017 03:00:43 +0000 Emily Benson, High Country News https://www.newsdeeply.com/water/articles/2017/11/24/california-westlands-water-settlement-is-left-in-limbo https://www.newsdeeply.com/water/articles/2017/11/24/california-westlands-water-settlement-is-left-in-limbo An agreement to address a decades-old problem of toxic drainage on agricultural fields in the San Joaquin Valley could fall apart without congressional action. Climate Change Wed, 13 Sep 2017 07:55:55 +0000 Emily Benson, High Country News https://www.newsdeeply.com/oceans/articles/2017/09/13/the-key-to-predicting-drought-and-deluge-the-ocean https://www.newsdeeply.com/oceans/articles/2017/09/13/the-key-to-predicting-drought-and-deluge-the-ocean Marine conditions influence rain patterns, and new research on ocean temperatures could help improve predictions on whether the American West will face wet or dry times in the years ahead. Agriculture American West Management & Supply Fri, 11 Aug 2017 03:00:29 +0000 Emily Benson, High Country News https://www.newsdeeply.com/water/articles/2017/08/11/a-legal-battle-in-idaho-portends-future-conflicts-over-water https://www.newsdeeply.com/water/articles/2017/08/11/a-legal-battle-in-idaho-portends-future-conflicts-over-water High Country News: As the climate changes, dams face new challenges for water rights and releases. In Idaho, a fight over surplus water in wet years is now before the state Supreme Court.