High Country News

On the Colorado River, a tug-of-war on a tightrope

A wet winter postpones the declaration of a shortage on the Colorado River as the Upper and Lower Basin states continue to squabble over long-strategy for dealing with the region's droughts

by Matt Jenkins, May 16, 2005
Nine reasons why a river is good for the soul

A writer on a river trip through canyon country muses on things like sand, rapids, ruins and time, as well as the joy that comes from being outside in the company of family and friends

by Paul Miller, Aug 21, 2006
Viva la independent press!

High Country News is nominated for two Utne Independent Press awards; Laura Paskus wins award from Society of Professional Journalists; Nathan Rice to be HCN’s next editorial fellow; correction and clarification.

by Jodi Peterson , May 15, 2011
Hoover Dam: marvel and folly

Hoover Dam is an amazing piece of engineering, but it has outlived its usefulness.

by John Weisheit, Nov 03, 2010
Two weeks in the West

Nasty chemicals in the Western air; drilling dust; EPA gets tougher on mercury; wildlife agency reconsiders habitat for Canada lynx and protection for sage grouse and white-tailed prairie dogs; and Grand Canyon gets a man-made flood.

by Sarah Gilman, Mar 17, 2008
A decade of difficult questions

Outgoing High Country News editor Greg Hanscom muses on the stories and issues the paper has covered in the 10 years he’s been with it

by Greg Hanscom, Nov 13, 2006
He loves nature. And dams.

Paul Ostapuk is a nature-lover and outdoorsman who loves Lake Powell and Glen Canyon Dam.

by Jim Rossi, Sep 17, 2007
Slobs at Lake Powell foment a revolt

Rather than rail against Lake Powell's mere existence, conservationists should try to restore and protect the landscape that is still there.

by Andrew Gulliford, Aug 19, 2010
Heard Around the West

The boatmen’s quarterly review revisits the wet spring of 1983 and the terrifying whitewater the rafters encountered deep in the Grand Canyon; “Smart fortwo” car coming to town; the wit & wisdom of Ted Turner.

by Betsy Marston, May 26, 2008
Whoever thought the Lake Powell bathtub was a good idea?

What a disappointment it is to go from Utah's wild Dirty Devil River to the hideous man-made bathtub of Lake Powell.

by Alan Kesselheim, May 28, 2010