High Country News

(Manmade) snow is for fighting over

In an increasingly arid West, snow-making becomes a more important component of a ski area’s operating plan. But they need water to make snow, and getting it isn’t always easy.

by J.R. Logan, Mar 04, 2013
A citizen activist forces New Mexico's dairies to clean up their act

When a giant dairy proposed building near Jerry Nivens' beloved New Mexico home, the chain-smoking Texas hermit became an activist who organized other locals to fight the industry.

by Stephanie Paige Ogburn, Dec 04, 2011
Another water-short year in the Southwest is taking its toll

Generous spring snow storms were a momentary, if welcome, distraction from the region's real weather story: drought.

by Cally Carswell, May 13, 2013
Flood insurance crimps Western waterways

Critics say that FEMA’s National Flood Insurance Program is encouraging development in flood-prone areas alongside Western rivers, such as the Rio Grande

by Randy Stapilus, Dec 12, 2005
Follow-up

$11 million is set aside for a nuclear trigger factory that Carlsbad, N.M., is hoping to host; Yucca Mountain, Nev., gets $580 million for nuclear waste storage; no extra water for the Rio Grande silvery minnow; Pentagon wins exemptions to environmental l

by Laura Paskus, Dec 08, 2003
Good work in Washington

The Bush administration deserves credit for its "Water 2025" initiative, which provided grants that have helped the Deschutes River Conservancy and the Central Oregon Irrigation District begin restoring Oregon’s Deschutes River

by Greg Hanscom, Oct 16, 2006
Here lies the Rio Grande

The last issue of the "Imagine a River" series on the Rio Grande examines how the river has become the "Rio Wimpy," running out of water twice before it reaches the Gulf of Mexico.

by Greg Hanscom, Feb 18, 2002
It ain't easy getting old

In No Country for Old Men, Cormac McCarthy discards his bitter nostalgia to tell a story set along the border in the 1980s

by Laura Paskus, May 15, 2006
It’s ‘bombs away’ on New Mexico saltcedar

The state of New Mexico is beginning an aerial herbicide assault on the exotic shrub saltcedar, or tamarisk, but some fear spraying Arsenal along the Rio Grande could harm native cottonwoods

by Paul Krza, Nov 10, 2003
More than just a city on a river

In Hispanic Albuquerque: 1706-1846, Marc Simmons takes readers on a fascinating journey through the history of the Duke City in New Mexico

by Laura Paskus, Dec 22, 2003