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Lake Mead and the rest of the Colorado River system are shrinking rapidly. The U.S. Bureau of Reclamation has called for new conservation measures, asking states to conserve a tremendously large amount of water, and giving them a 60-day timeline to formulate a plan for those reductions.

Western states will not lose as much Colorado River water in 2024, despite long-term challenges

Bountiful snowfall and rain last winter pulled much of the region out of drought this spring and raised water levels at key reservoirs.
White "bathtub rings" show dropping levels on Lake Mead. The reservoir's stores have been dipping steadily, setting records for new all-time lows.

Federal officials plan to announce 2024 cuts along the Colorado River. Here's what to expect

The river provides water for seven U.S. states, 29 Native American tribes and two states in Mexico.
The seal of Cochise County.

Ballot question to remove Douglas AMA is thrown out

Cochise County officials said a lawsuit brought by the EDF forced the decision.
Stacks of hay bales sit beside an irrigation canal in Imperial Valley on June 20, 2023. Critics have called for reductions to the amount of alfalfa grown with Colorado River water. The particularly thirsty crop is mostly used for cattle feed.

Freeing up Colorado River water from California farms will take more than just money, just ask the farmers

The Imperial Valley is the largest Colorado River water user.
South 32 Hermosa Project in the Patagonia Mountains. The mine development project earned a FAST-41 federal designation which streamlines its permitting process.

Environmental groups seek court order to stop two exploratory mining projects

The groups filed a lawsuit against the USFS in June.
The first panel at The Buzz Live event on July 10, 2023 with guests (from left) Sonia Gasho, Ash Dahlke and Mark Apel and host Christopher Conover (right).

The Buzz Live! Water Conservation and AMAs in Cochise County

The area's agriculture industry copes with a possible future as a recall vote looms.
After two decades of drought, parts of Lake Mead that were once underwater have been exposed as the lake falls to historically low levels.

21st annual Water Resources Research Center brings in international collaborators

The conference focused on water solutions in a changing arid climate.
The seal of Cochise County.

Douglas AMA challengers get AMA back on the ballot

The existence of the Douglas AMA will go back to voters in 2023 General Election
President of the Patagonia Area Resource Alliance (PARA), Carolyn Shafer, stands in one of her favorite places along Harshaw Creek in Patagonia, Arizona. Shafer has lived in the community for about 26 years.

Permitting timetable published for Southern Arizona critical minerals mine

The South32 Hermosa project is located in the Patagonia Mountains
File image from the Hoover Dam.

The Buzz: Tracing the Colorado River’s problems back for more than a hundred years

This week, we preview Thirst Gap, a new podcast from the team at NPR member station KUNC.
The stretch of the Verde River that goes through Clarkdale ends near the Tuzigoot Road Bridge.

The Buzz takes a trip down the Verde River

We're revisiting this episode after it and another The Buzz episode were honored by PMJA
Snow falls on the Colorado River near New Castle, Colorado, on January 11, 2023. Months of snow and rain soaked a region in the grips of drought and helped replenish reservoirs along the Colorado River.

Months of wet weather erase drought across the Southwest

Only 28% of the region is experiencing drought.
Water levels in Lake Powell, seen here in May 2021, are dipping dangerously low. The federal government has proposed an unprecedented plan to cut back on water supplies for Arizona, Nevada and California. The measure aims to keep water levels high enough to generate hydropower at the Glen Canyon Dam.

Supreme Court rules against Navajo Nation in Colorado River water rights case

Colorado had argued that siding with the Navajo Nation would undermine existing agreements and disrupt the management of the river.
A view of the Colorado River near the Silver Bridge on the Bright Angel Trail in Grand Canyon National Park. From November 2022.

Tucson releases draft water plan

The city is now asking for the public to provide feedback on the draft plan.

Environmental groups file lawsuit against the U.S. Forest Service

The agency authorized two mineral exploration projects in the Patagonia Mountains.
Arizona State Capitol Executive Tower

Governor signs law ending Arizona water dispute involving upscale Phoenix suburb of Scottsdale

The bill obliges Scottsdale to provide Rio Verde Foothills with access to its water.

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