Michael Elizabeth Sakas

A Colorado farmer makes a sacrifice to keep neighboring farms up and running

The farmer is being paid to stop pumping water from a depleted underground aquifer. That project could become a model elsewhere as overuse and climate change stress groundwater supplies.

Virtual fences may help cows have less of an impact on climate change

When cows overgraze it's bad for the soil and the climate. The U.S. Bureau of Land Management is trying new technology to help avoid overgrazing: virtual fencing.

A 20-Year Megadrought Threatens Hydropower In The West

Michael Elizabeth Sakas

The drought is creating problems for hydroelectricity for millions of people. In a federal emergency measure, reservoirs are sending water to Lake Powell to keep its power turbines spinning.

Rain During Monsoon Season Is Becoming Less Reliable, Less Effective

Michael Elizabeth Sakas

It's monsoon season in the Southwest, a vital source of moisture that keeps pastures and rivers healthy and wildfires in check. But climate change is making it harder to count on the season's rain.

Population Is Booming In The West — But There's Not Enough Water To Keep Up With It

Michael Elizabeth Sakas

Facing drought and population growth, some Western U.S. towns are running out of water for new connections, stopping development. It's a challenge that's expected to grow as the climate changes.

Colorado Snow Survey supervisor Brian Domonkos and civil engineer Madison Gutekunst of the USDA weigh snow to know how much moisture it holds on April 30, 2021.

National headlines

Melting Snow Usually Means Water For The West. But This Year, It Might Not Be Enough

Michael Elizabeth Sakas

Much of the West is in extreme drought, and a good spring snowmelt could bring relief. But drought and the warming climate make that harder, putting water for millions of people at risk.

National headlines

Cloning Of Ferret Could Help Prevent Other Animals' Extinction

Michael Elizabeth Sakas

In Colorado, scientists have cloned the first endangered species native to North America: a black-footed ferret. They hope their new technology might help keep other species from going extinct.