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…
lawns with hidden water waste

Why Affluent Neighborhoods Use Outdoor Water Inefficiently

Affluent neighborhoods and HOA-managed properties should be conservation success stories. They have the resources for efficient systems, professional management, and regular maintenance. Instead, they're often the most inefficient. The problem…
the warm rain paradox
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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,…

Sponge Cities: Designing for Drought, Flood, and Fire in a Changing Climate

As climate extremes become the new “normal”, cities must do more than just make space for people—they need to absorb water, heat, and unexpected environmental conditions. With worsening floods, longer droughts, and wildfires creeping into…

The Truth About Grass’s Impact on Water Use

“Grass lawns are the biggest water waster in the West!” “Lawns don’t provide any ecological functions or benefits. Why do we have them?” “Maintaining lush, green lawns in dry climates promotes unsustainable landscaping practices!” These…

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,…