Record-low water storage levels at lakes Mead and Powell after more than two decades of drought conditions are among the chief indicators that the basin is “facing the growing reality that water supplies for agriculture, fisheries, ecosystems, industry and cities are no longer stable due to climate change.”
Author Archives: Curtis Wackerle
Curtis Wackerle is the editor and executive director of Aspen Journalism and the editor and reporter on the Connie Harvey Environment Desk. Curtis has also served as editor, managing editor, and reporter at the Aspen Daily News, where he covered Aspen’s city hall. He has a journalism degree from the University of Montana.
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The Roundup | Add invasive fish to problems associated with Lake Powell
As Powell drops, invasive fish will enter lower Colorado River Basin, threatening progress.
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The Roundup | Pipe the ditch, save the water
All that’s fresh from our water and data desks, plus a summer event announcement with Thomas L. Friedman
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The Roundup | The ups and downs of river flows 
Did Colorado rivers just peak? Streamflows down after cooler temperatures, snowpack below average; winter occupancy and Lake Powell levels on the rise.
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The Roundup | Laying the groundwork
You never want to say that a particular article is the culmination of a years-long reporting effort. There is always more to the story, and in this case, local environmental groups are not pleased with the outcome, so eyes peeled for a follow up. But Water Desk Editor Heather Sackett’s scoop, published Saturday in collaboration […]
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The Roundup | How stream management mandates are playing out
From the Water Desk, an in-depth look at how the mandate coming out of the 2015 Colorado Water Plan to give greater weight to the ecological and recreational needs of a river is playing out. Tracking the Curve has Pitkin County’s new COVID-19 case incidence rate falling, while the Data Dashboard notes the Crystal River streamflow has tripled over the last week.
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The Roundup | Slow moving over rocky terrain
Analysis on the Lead King Loop stakeholder process and potential outcomes. Plus rising water levels recorded at Lake Powell, local COVID-19 updates and the Bucket.
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Parking reservations, not permit system, eyed as solution to Marble’s OHV woes
A stakeholder group has been working to formulate “consensus-based recommendations” on management strategies that have a high probability of getting the support needed from government agencies to be enacted.
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The Roundup | Composting for landfill sustainability
Composting for landfill sustainability, spring runoff forecast for Upper Colorado River basin, data dashboard, tracking the curve, and more.
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The Roundup | Aspen Journalism wins nine awards from the Society of Professional Journalists
Judges of the Society of Professional Journalists contest for news organizations from Colorado, New Mexico, Utah and Wyoming recognized exceptional journalism from all corners of our newsroom. Work from our water, environment, data and social justice desks received awards.