Megadrought Archives

August 26, 2026

Researchers have grown increasingly confident in global warming’s role in post-2000 ‘megadrought’ by Chase Woodruff, Colorado Newsline Elected officials from...

ASPEN JOURNALISM: Colorado River experts say agriculture must make permanent cuts to water use

Aspen Journalism

Colorado River

June 23, 2026

Water managers say drying up farmland is not the solution By Heather Sackett, Aspen Journalism Some Colorado River experts are...

INSIDE CLIMATE NEWS: New paper shows surges of concentrated precipitation can lead to dryer landscapes

Inside Climate News

Hydrology

May 15, 2026

Snow and rain in the American West is concentrating at one of the highest rates in the world, researchers found,...

THE CONVERSATION: Winter’s alarmingly low snowpack offers a glimpse of the changing rhythm of water in the western US

The Conversation

Colorado River Hydrology

April 1, 2026

By Imtiaz Rangwala, University of Colorado Boulder Winter is more than just a season in the western U.S. – it...

WATER DESK: Rainfall brings Colorado River drought relief, but concerns for next year’s water supply remain

The Water Desk

Colorado River

November 5, 2025

A forecasted winter La Niña, lingering drought conditions and dwindling reservoirs are causing water managers to worry. By Cassie Sherwood,...

WATER DESK: Human emissions are helping fuel the Southwest’s epic drought

The Water Desk

Colorado River

October 6, 2025

Three studies of the Pacific Ocean conclude that lower precipitation isn’t just due to natural causes By Mitch Tobin, Water...

COLORADO NEWSLINE: The government takes a dim view of the Colorado River’s future. Is it too optimistic?

Colorado Newsline

Colorado River

August 26, 2025

‘Immediate action’ needed as states try to reach agreement about natural flow formula by Allen Best, Colorado Newsline A version...

NEVADA CURRENT: Southwest in a ‘mega-drying’ zone due to groundwater loss, study finds

Nevada Current

Colorado River

August 19, 2025

by Jeniffer Solis, Nevada Current Nevada, the driest state in the union, is only getting drier as the region’s supply...

UC BOULDER: Human emissions drove the megadrought in the western US

University of Colorado at Boulder

Colorado River

August 19, 2025

By Yvaine Ye, University of Colorado at Boulder Greenhouse gas and aerosol emissions from human activity have been driving the...

YALE CLIMATE CONNECTIONS: Why winter rains keep skipping the Southwest

Yale Climate Connections

Colorado River Hydrology

August 15, 2025

by Bob Henson, Yale Climate Connections Climate change appears to have driven an ongoing 25-year shortfall in winter rains and...

THE CONVERSATION: Climate models reveal how human activity may be locking the Southwest into permanent drought

The Conversation

Colorado River Hydrology

August 14, 2025

By Pedro DiNezio, University of Colorado Boulder and Timothy Shanahan, The University of Texas at Austin A new wave of...

INSIDE CLIMATE NEWS: Southwestern drought likely to continue through 2100, research finds

Inside Climate News

Colorado River Hydrology

July 18, 2025

Climate change is warming the North Pacific Ocean, leading weather patterns that drive drought in the U.S. Southwest to persist...

USBR: Biden-Harris Administration leaves Colorado River Basin on path to success

Bureau of Reclamation News

Colorado River

January 18, 2025

Alternatives report released today provides detailed data to support consensus agreement for post-2026 Colorado River operations to prevent catastrophic drought...

COURTHOUSE NEWS: Despite best hopes, Southwest drought may be here to stay

Courthouse News Service

Colorado River

December 21, 2024

Climate scientists say increasing global temperatures have driven soil moisture in the Southwest below a critical point, creating a positive...

INSIDE CLIMATE NEWS: Despite Biden Administration proposals to address Colorado River shortages, a solution is far off

Inside Climate News

Colorado River

November 22, 2024

Colorado River users are in tense negotiations over the critical waterway’s future as climate-driven drought and overuse continue to diminish...