Drought
Instead of water, sediment from droughts and wildfire is choking U.S. dams
Sediment has filled 8% of dam storage capacity in the United States. Because of climate change, researchers expect it will only accumulate quicker.
15 million people rely on the Rio Grande — in 2 years, it may run dry
The river fuels billions of dollars in agricultural production. Reducing agricultural water use may be the only way to save it.
Data center provider partners with “cloud seeding” company to artificially trigger rainfall
With cloud seeding, planes or drones release salt compounds into clouds to make them produce rain.
122 ‘carbon major’ companies to blame for half of the West’s lost water
A first-of-its-kind study found that “carbon major” companies drained the west of trillions of gallons of water.
Feds say Arizona, California and Nevada must cut Colorado River water use by 1.25 million acre-feet
The new plan does not apply mandatory cuts to any of the river’s upper basin states.
Even a “best case scenario” El Niño won't fix the West’s drought
While lower basin states may see increased precipitation, increased snowfall in upper basin states is needed to bring sufficient water to the West.
The US Virgin Islands are facing a “drought disaster,” US government declares
Puerto Rico is also experiencing a drought.
Why a Colorado River water conservation agreement is so hard to reach
As the nation's two largest reservoirs hit their lowest levels on record, what would it take to avert the crisis? An expert weighs in.
Federal proposal calls for mandatory water cuts to Arizona, California and Nevada
The Bureau of Reclamation stepped in after states failed to come to an agreement over Colorado River water use reductions.
Data centers are booming near the West's fastest-shrinking lakes
Years of drought, water diversion and climate change have caused Western lakes to shrink dramatically.
Drought is affecting all but 5 US states
Almost all of the United States faces moderate to severe drought at the start of an El Niño summer.
Wildfires have burned 2.3 million acres this year — before wildfire season
This year's fires are not contained to the West, with wildfires destroying hundreds of thousands of acres in Texas, Oklahoma and Kansas.
New agreement would let Arizona, Nevada use water from California desalination plant
The plan will help reduce strain on Lake Mead during extreme drought periods.
Southern California water agencies accelerate reuse and recycling projects
From desalination to wastewater recycling, California officials are promoting more reclamation projects as the Southwest remains in drought.
Colorado River flows will reach historic lows this summer
Officials have started reducing water release from Lake Powell to prevent water levels from becoming too low for hydroelectric production.
Phoenix and Tucson create emergency water reserve, anticipating Colorado River cuts
The Secure Water Arizona Program will allow participating cities to use a reserve of water or make agreements to buy it from other jurisdictions.
Dust From Exposed Great Salt Lake Bed Threatens Utah’s Air Quality
The lake ended 2025 with the third-lowest water level in a century.
California is Out of Drought for First Time in 25 Years
The state’s reservoirs are reaching capacity for the first time in decades, but more rain could prompt flooding in downstream communities.
California’s Largest Reservoir Rose to 77% Capacity After Recent Rains
Almost all of the state’s reservoirs are nearing capacity after significant storms passed across the state.
How Copenhagen Became a ‘Sponge City’
The Danish capital is implementing a massive, multi-pronged strategy to build resilience against flooding and shore up water supplies during drought periods.
FREE Course: Walkable City 1: Why Walkability?
After describing his path towards focusing on walkability as the essence of good planning, Jeff Speck marches through his five principal reasons for making more walkable places.
Reinventing Malls: Planning Alchemy—Turning Gray Fields Into Gold
The course focuses on the opportunities and imperatives that shape reinvention of mall sites.
Harvard University Graduate School of Design
KFH Group Inc.
Greater Baltimore Committee
The Architects Foundation
University of Cincinnati Online
The Pocatello Development Authority
The Urban Renewal Agency of the City of Pocatello
