Water & Drought

Severe drought across the Four Corners is raising irrigation concerns for farmers, while high fertilizer prices and dry wheat fields add pressure nationwide.

In this Water Wednesday report, Jay Loshert explains current river flows on the Dolores, Animas, and San Juan, and describes how federal emergency releases from Flaming Gorge and reduced flows from Glen Canyon Dam—intended to protect Lake Powell’s critically low levels—will significantly affect boating conditions on stretches of the Green River, Cataract Canyon, and the Grand Canyon, urging boaters to check local gauges before trips.

Widespread drought and fears of a power crisis is forcing the Interior Department to start sending billions of gallons of water from Flaming Gorge Reservoir downstream to prop up Lake Powell.

The weather, wildfire, and water outlook for the months ahead drew concerned comments from the Montezuma County commissioners at their meeting Tuesday.

Invasive species are on the march in the Colorado River, threatening everything from endangered native fish in Arizona to Colorado's juicy Palisade peaches.

The Bureau of Reclamation announced plans to release water from Flaming Gorge Reservoir, and to reduce flows out of Glen Canyon Dam on Lake Powell in an attempt to prop up the Colorado River Basin's infrastructure.

Passage of a measure overturning a mining ban in a Minnesota wilderness area is raising concerns among environmentalists about its possible ramifications for the Four Corners. And the ongoing drought in the Four Corners is affecting conditions at a popular tourist attraction.

March madness is a good description for last month’s climate in Cortez, according to longtime local weather observer Jim Andrus.

This week’s Water Wednesday reports low river flows and one of the worst snowpack years on record, with the Dolores River projected at just 35% of average inflow.

Drought conditions in Cortez worsened after a warm, dry winter. Forecasters say drought is likely to persist across the West through spring.