Drought
The Western United States is experiencing a drought the scale of which has only been seen once before in the past 1,200 years, according to a new study. Climate change is not a future problem, say the researchers responsible for the study, it's here.
The Washington Post
As drought conditions continue, the state is preparing for the possibility that the two dangerous public health and safety threats will overlap.
San Francisco Chronicle
States in the Lower Basin of the Colorado River will contribute more water in order to keep reservoirs from reaching critically low levels.
azcentral.com
New research is quantifying the environmental consequences of land use patterns and water diversions in Northern Utah.
The Salt Lake Tribune
New agreements and the first cutbacks in water usage signal the start of concerted efforts keep the river and reservoirs from dropping to dangerous levels.
Arizona Republic
Rivers are high and drought conditions have been lifted, but experts say that the 19-year drought in Colorado isn't over.
5280
A Los Angeles Times editorial board sheds light on the ongoing environmental disaster of the Salton Sea in California, and the lack of action by the state to mitigate the worsening impacts.
Los Angeles Times
Las Vegas has almost maximized its growth potential given projects for its future water supply—something has to give.
Las Vegas Review-Journal
California and Arizona couldn't come to terms on a drought contingency plan for the Colorado River, compelling the Department of the Interior to act.
KQED
Worldwide, natural disasters cost $155 billion in 2018, according to an insurance industry report.
The Washington Post
Metro Phoenix has a lot to think about as Lake Mead water shortages become ever more likely. A three-state drought contingency plan may only be a temporary fix for a problem that'll divide cities and stakeholders.
azcentral.com
Two case studies exemplify the extreme economic and legal pressures surrounding water supply in the state of Arizona.
Water Deeply
The California Water Commission made an historic commitment to new water storage projects. Many of the largest projects planned in the state will require additional funding before construction can commence.
San Francisco Chronicle
With water levels habitually low, officials from the Eastern Sierra say they are "headed for a showdown” with L.A.
Los Angeles Times
While California's tendency toward drought is on temporary hiatus, homeowners flush with equity again feel enabled to install pools at record levels.
The Orange County Register
Climate change is only part of the story, but humans have left a detectable footprint on the distribution of the global water supply.
Grist
We've all seen the maps that show the water rising around the edges of costal and waterfront communities as sea-level rise and climate change take effect. A new report shows the effects that have already changed the state of California.
Sacramento Bee
A report from a coalition of nonprofits recommends, among other restrictions, allowing outdoor watering only twice per week.
The Texas Tribune
For decades the arid state has required most new construction projects to demonstrate adequate water supply, but at the edge of the next dry spell, two lawmakers are trying to get rid of the rules.
The Arizona Republic
Population growth creates a collision course in the American West.
Voice of San Diego
