Water

High Point, Seattle

Green Infrastructure Toolkit Launches on World Water Day

The Green Infrastructure Toolkit lists 25 actions local governments can take to transform crusty, impermeable urban landscapes into vibrant, spongy ecosystems that preserve water as a resource and protect against its potential destruction in floods.

March 23, 2023 - PlaceShakers and NewsMakers

Town of St. George, Utah with small white church and red rock cliffs in background

Can Southwest Utah’s Water Supply Handle its Explosive Growth?

A remote corner of the state is the nation’s fastest-growing metro area, but concerns about water supplies across the Southwest signal an uncertain future.

March 5, 2023 - CNN

Aerial view of irrigation canal winding through Scottsdale, Arizona suburb with mountains in background

The Water Crisis Comes Home to Roost in Arizona

Due in part to the state’s history of ‘wildcat’ real estate developments, some communities are losing access to water sources as cities and water agencies look for ways to conserve shrinking water supplies.

February 6, 2023 - High Country News

Water SUpply

California Rejects Six-State Colorado River Plan, Proposes Its Own

State officials claim a proposal agreed upon by the other six states using Colorado River water disproportionately impacts California farmers.

February 1, 2023 - Los Angeles Times

Golf course with palm trees and mountains in background in Palm Springs, California

Despite Water Crisis, Desert Golf Courses Thrive

Officials in the Coachella Valley seem reluctant to restrict water supplies to the many golf courses and ornamental lakes that dot the region, opting instead to cut water deliveries to a groundwater recharge facility.

January 30, 2023 - Los Angeles Times

Aerial view of Central Arizona Project water canal through desert landscape

Arizona Governor Takes Steps to Modernize Water Policy

A newly released report warns of rapidly dwindling groundwater resources as developers plan to build hundreds of thousands of new homes.

January 26, 2023 - Inside Climate News

Sunset view over canal and downtown Scottsdale, Arizona

Scottsdale Cuts Water Supply to Nearby Suburb

The city claims it has no responsibility to provide water to the unincorporated Maricopa County community.

January 18, 2023 - The Washington Post

Flooded park in Pakley, California during late 2022 atmospheric river storm

California’s Reservoirs are Filling Up, but For How Long?

Recent storms are bringing plenty of water to parched parts of California, but scientists warn the relief won’t be a long-term solution to longer, drier periods.

January 15, 2023 - The New York Times

A small dam located in a rural location.

The Year in Public Lands

Public policy decisions that will impact land and water conservation in the American West.

December 27, 2022 - High Country News

Aerial view of California Squeduct snaking past housing developments in the Mojave Desert

Southern California Water District Declares Drought Emergency

State water officials say the region’s agencies will only receive 5 percent of their requested supplies for the start of 2023 due to intense drought conditions that continue to sap western water supplies.

December 16, 2022 - Associated Press via Yahoo News

Shallow river with tree-lined banks and hillsides in the background

Colorado Reservoir Project Clears Final Permit Hurdle

Though opponents of the massive water diversion project plan to keep fighting in court, the permit issued this month is a major success for a plan almost 20 years in the works.

December 15, 2022 - The Denver Post

"No Boats" sign on dry Lake Mead bed

Colorado River Compact Needs 21st Century Update

While the historic agreement set a new precedent for water rights, its inherent flaws, growing demand, and the threat of climate change make much of it obsolete for today’s needs.

November 16, 2022 - High Country News

Aerial view of New Orleans port with cranes and barges and skyline in background

Proposed Legislation Sounds Alarm on Mississippi River Drought

Without concerted restoration efforts, the river’s historically low levels could dramatically impact shipping activities and economic development throughout the region.

November 15, 2022 - American Rivers

View of reservoir with small island with trees in Texas

Texas Water Officials Deaf on Climate Change

The state’s long-term water plan fails to account for the impacts of climate change on water supplies, setting Texas up for a severe water shortage in the coming decades.

November 3, 2022 - The Texas Tribune

Red one-story Tucson home with gravel front yard

Tucson Could Ban Ornamental Grass

The city could ban the planting of “nonfunctional” grass in new developments, but would stop short of regulating lawns and golf courses.

October 25, 2022 - Arizona Daily Star

View of dried-up Colorado River

Federal Program Provides Direct Payments for Colorado River Water Conservation

A water buyback program will pay farmers who reduce their water use in an effort to sustain the West’s reservoirs, which are at historically low levels.

October 16, 2022 - KUNC

Lake Mead 'bathtub ring'

Colorado River Water Crisis Deepens

The states that rely on the Colorado’s water must make drastic cuts in water usage to maintain use of the West’s most important—and most threatened—water source.

October 3, 2022 - NPR

Aerial view of California aqueduct snaking through arid hills outside Los Angeles

California Governor Outlines Plan for a ‘Hotter, Drier Future’

With California’s water supply expected to drop by 10 percent in the next two decades, Governor Newsom’s strategy calls for conservation and increased investment in water collection, storage, and desalination infrastructure.

August 12, 2022 - Los Angeles Times

Lawns and Suburban Homes

The Rise of Artificial Turf

Once scratchy and unrealistic, artificial grass has come a long way. Now, it’s quickly becoming a popular lawn replacement as droughts and climate change make traditional lawns harder to maintain.

July 19, 2022 - Bloomberg CityLab

Shasta Lake

Californians Struggle To Cut Water Use

The state is slowly starting to curb water consumption, but progress has been ‘disappointingly slow’ as water supplies across the West diminish to historic lows.

July 12, 2022 - Los Angeles Times

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Urban Design for Planners 1: Software Tools

This six-course series explores essential urban design concepts using open source software and equips planners with the tools they need to participate fully in the urban design process.

Planning for Universal Design

Learn the tools for implementing Universal Design in planning regulations.