Water Management

A collection of 25 posts

Lake Powell

Lake Powell Water Levels Lead to 'Ecological Rebirth'

This environmental crisis is revealing an unexpected ecological benefit—the return of native plant communities in areas exposed by the shrinking reservoir.

Our Philosophy

How a Controversial Poison Saved Utah Lake

Fifteen years ago,Utah Lake it was dying. But the controversial herbicide glyphosate saved it.

Beavers

Why Beavers Were Parachuted Into the Idaho Wilderness 73 Years Ago

The traditional way of relocating “nuisance” beavers in the 1940s wasn’t working. To increase the survival rate, one conservation officer turned to—yes—parachutes.

Water Management

Federal Government Loses Idaho Water Rights Case

The U.S. District Court for the District of Idaho partially struck down several Idaho laws regulating water rights on federal lands. The court found some provisions unconstitutional but upheld a law concerning the forfeiture of water rights if they remain unused.

Fisheries

California Dam Demolitions a Victory for Some, Devastation for Others

"When people and their livelihoods are given equal weight with environmental outcomes, are dam removals good or bad?"

Resources

Hydrogen Hubs Threaten to Drain West Texas of Water

The latest buzz among urban economic developers in West Texas revolves around “Hydrogen Hubs,” where hydrogen can be extracted from groundwater and converted into energy

Fisheries

Fishing Limit Will Increase Ahead of Lake Poisonings

The war on wildlife continues, with a new front opening in Utah.

Water Management

As Western Drought Recedes, the Great Salt Lake Is the Biggest It’s Been in Years

Reservoirs are rising across the region, boosting water businesses. But conservation efforts continue amid fears the rain won’t last.

Bio-Diversity

This Place Wanted to Be a Wetland’: How a Farmer Turned His Fields Into a Wildlife Sanctuary

Farmers creating wetlands…   NOTE: this article was originally published to The Guardian’s Apple News channel on October 22, 2023. It was written by Gabriel Canon.   Once, Karl Wenner’s Oregon land leaked pollution into a nearby lake. Now, 70 acres are home to waterfowl, turtles and endangered fish Birdsong

Conservation

Keyline Desert Ranch

This video is about Keyline soil restoration on a desert ranch in Northern Mexico.   Keyline “flood-flow” channels are combined with Keyline contour ripping between “flood-flow” channels. Both channels and rip patterns are on contours established by drone survey and laser transit.   Disturbed soil has been seeded. Regrowth following 6-inches (150

Beavers

The Incredible Hulik and His Beavers

Biologist Tomas Hulik spent more than 300 days and nights in the wild riverine forest along the river March, separating Slovakia and Austria. After that, Rachel, the matron of this beaver territory, allowed him to watch the daily routine and dramatic adventures of her family of five at close range.

2023 snowpack

The Great Salt Lake Seemed Like It Was Dying. But There’s Been a ‘Miraculous’ Shift

“As discussed below, the declining levels of the Great Salt Lake are primarily due to reduced inflows. Quoting the authors, “Historically, management of the Great Salt Lake watershed has prioritized human water usage over the health of the lake, with most of the river and stream water flowing toward the

land management

Stewardship with Vision – Episode 4: Ute Creek Cattle Company

Quoting the producers of the video below, “In far northeastern New Mexico, Tuda and Jack Crews’ land and water management models innovation, conservation, increased resiliency, and community connection.”   Filmed in the deserts of New Mexico, this video is about holistic management. It sets forth concepts and practices that will work

Artificial Beaver Dam Videos

Pitchstone Waters Artificial Beaver Dams #4

At Pitchstone Waters in Idaho, we spanned an entire valley with two artificial beaver dams. Doing this presented special problems. Fourth in a series.   NOTE: this post was originally published to this site on December 23, 2019   — For more posts like this, in your inbox weekly – sign up for the

floods

Yellowstone and Grand Teton Park Attendance Falls Below 2021 & 2019

Contrary to the implications of the article below, the primary cause of 2022’s falling Yellowstone attendance is not road closures. Although some roads were closed in 2022, many miles that had been closed for 3-years of reconstruction reopened. Total drivable miles inside the park were much the same over

habitat restoration

Whose River Runs Through It?

“Western rivers access and fishing rights are discussed in this excellent article from PERC.   NOTE: this article was originally published to PERC.com’s Winter 2021 Newsletter (Volume 40). It was written by James Huffman.   How stream access laws affect recreation and conservation   This special edition of PERC Reports uses

Conservation

Turning the Tide of Our Water Crises with Regenerative Agriculture

Presented below are some very interesting ideas on regenerative agriculture.   NOTE: this article was originally published to the Weekly Regeneration Works newsletter on October 15, 2021. It was written by Keith Silverman.     Science: Industrial agriculture is the leading water pollutant on the planet. The world is facing a water crisis

Conservation

Dam Dumps Mask Record-low Snake Flows

“Because water is managed regionally across the West, and first allocated to the earliest-dated permits, states like Utah which was farmed before Wyoming and Idaho, are getting are getting priority water from states upstream. The rivers are full from the reservoir draw-downs, but the water is headed out-of-state.   NOTE: this

dam management

Where Dams Have Reached "Alert" Age

Quoting the article below, “The U.S. is the leader in dam removal, proving that the risk and cost associated with old dams can be eliminated altogether in many cases. In the past 30 years, the country has decommissioned more than 1,200 dams.”   Dams wear out. Many would now

Plug and Spread

Reviving Riverscapes

“Increasing soil fertility is the foundation of habitat and wildlife restoration.   And as discussed in the article below, improving water function by slowing and spreading runoff to increase soil moisture is basic to increasing soil fertility.   Bill Zeedyk of Santa  Fe is mentioned extensively in this article.  We worked and

dams

An Idaho Congressman Aims to Dump Dams

“Here is an ecological idea on salmon restoration that gives environmental, social and economic factors equal weight. Congratulations and thanks to U.S. Rep. Mike Simpson.   NOTE: this article was originally published to JHNewsandGuide.com on March 24, 2021. It was written by Rocky Barker – Writers on the Range.   U.

dam demolition

Deal Revives Plan for Largest US Dam Demolition

“This project will have a very beneficial effect on water quality and salmon.   Moreover, removals are inevitable. These dams are worn out. Because they are economic losers, there is no economic case for spending the vast sums needed to make them safe again.   NOTE: this article was originally published to

Beavers

Beavers Rule the Roost at Crater Lake

Whether we are talking about bears, bison or beavers, the best safety rule with wild animals is this: “Do not invade their space.” It is amazing how often the rule is violated.     NOTE: this article was originally published to jhnewsandguide.com on July 15, 2020. It was written by Doreen

Artificial Beaver Dam Videos

Pitchstone Waters Artificial Beaver Dams #2

Restoring an abandoned beaver meadow in an Idaho forest near Yellowstone Park. Second of a series. Pitchstone Waters Artificial Beaver Dams #2 from Christopher Gill on Vimeo.

climate change

‘Natural Rivals’ Review: To Protect and Conserve

Book Review: What we owe to Gifford Pinchot and John Muir. NOTE: this article was originally published to WSJ.com on August 2, 2019. It was written by Gerard Helferich.   Gifford Pinchot and John Muir understood man’s relation to nature in different ways—one practical, one spiritual—but left