Drought readiness, reservoirs, Colorado River, water availability, climate effects

drought irrigation interest feature image

What Will It Take to Be Ready for the Next Drought? Drought Readiness Report

By Steve Whitesell The United States is entering one of the most water‑stressed periods in recent memory. In fact, according to a report in the journal Nature by UCLA researchers, the western United States is seeing the longest and harshest…
great salt lake average water comparision

How Far Below Normal Is the Great Salt Lake’s Water Level Today?

A new analysis by Healthy Green Spaces Coalition measured how far the Great Salt Lake has fallen from its long-term historical baseline. The data shows a persistent gap between the lake's pre-2000 average and its modern reality that cannot be…
paper river colorado river divide of lower and upper basin water supply
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How Big Is the Gap Between Colorado River Promises and Actual Flow?

By Steve Whitesell The Law of the River promised more Colorado River water on paper than the river has ever consistently delivered. Over a century of flow records now shows that the river’s long‑term supply has consistently lagged behind…
heat islands and canopy

How Much Cooler Are the Greenest Neighborhoods?

Contributor: Steve Whitesell When you walk from a treeless block into a leafy one on a hot day, it feels cooler. In some cities, that gap can reach almost 4°F between concrete deserts and green neighborhoods. This new report from Healthy…
the warm rain paradox

Why a Wet Winter Can Still Leave the West at Risk of Drought?

Contributors: Steve Whitesell, Jon Meyer, Ph.D How can we get rain in the winter and still be at risk of a drought?  This is a paradox of sorts. A warm rain paradox.  A warm snow drought occurs when near-normal precipitation falls,…
Most Drought Resilient States

Which States Are The Most Drought Resilient?

A new report by Healthy Green Spaces Coalition estimated each U.S. state’s drought resilience. The data shows how vulnerable states are to droughts based on their residential and total water usage (including agricultural). The ranking is…
xeriscape vs smart controllers
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Americans’ Shifting Interests in Smart Irrigation and Xeriscape

Water-wise landscaping concepts have undergone remarkable growth over the past two decades, reflecting shifting public priorities around sustainability, technology, and climate adaptation.  By analyzing Google Trends data and state-by-state…
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Every Drop Counts

Every Drop Counts in Healthy Green Spaces Healthy green landscapes—parks, sports fields, home lawns, gardens, and urban forests—perform essential environmental functions like mitigating urban heat, slowing stormwater, sequestering carbon,…

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