Water
Skies Are Sucking More Water from the Land
Western states’ “atmospheric thirst” means more fires and strained water supplies
Water57 articles archived since 1845
Water
Coastal Cities Are Drinking Themselves Underwater
Cities are sinking as they guzzle groundwater—and oil and gas—from below
Climate Change
Little Snow Is Left in California, Setting Up a Dangerous Wildfire Season
As of April 1, statewide snowpack stood at just 38 percent of the average for that date
Climate Change
Where Rising Seas Threaten Drinking Water, Scientists Look for Affordable Solutions
Researchers are looking to identify areas facing saltwater intrusion on the Atlantic and Gulf coasts
Climate Change
Western ‘Megadrought’ Is the Worst in 1,200 Years
An exceptionally dry year in 2021 pushed the 22-year-long drought to the top of the record books
Climate Change
Mountain Glaciers Have Less Ice Than Previously Thought
Some communities may run out of fresh water faster than expected
Quantum Physics
Turbulence Equations Discovered after Century-Long Quest
The formulas describe the complex behavior of a liquid when it meets a boundary
Ecology
Beaver Dams Help Wildfire-Ravaged Ecosystems Recover Long after Flames Subside
Dams mop up debris that would otherwise kill fish and other downstream wildlife, new observations suggest
Climate Change
December Fires Raise Concerns over Remarkable Colorado Drought
Higher temperatures and a dearth of snow are extending the fire season
Water
‘Portable Oasis’ Extracts Water from Dry Desert Air
An ultraporous humidity sponge could provide 300 gallons of fresh water a day
Climate Change
Climate Change Is Acidifying and Contaminating Drinking Water and Alpine Ecosystems
Hotter, drier mountains leach more metal into streams from abandoned mines and natural deposits
Water
Muddier Rivers Are Jeopardizing Dams and Water Quality for Millions
Climate change is flushing more sediment into the rivers that pour out of Asia’s high mountains
Climate Change
California Battles Historic Drought with $5.2 Billion
The state is using the money to upgrade drinking and wastewater systems, improve streamflows, and relocate vulnerable fish
Climate Change
‘Historical’ Western Drought Is Likely to Persist
The severe dry conditions have left critical reservoirs depleted and helped fuel intense wildfires
Water
Democrats Seek ‘Historic’ Changes to U.S. Flood Program
Proposed legislation includes funding to redo badly out-of-date flood risk maps
Pollution
Tiny Robots Could Clean Up Microplastic Pollution
In a proof-of-concept study, microscopic self-propelled devices found and broke down microplastic particles
Fossil Fuels
Hydropower Withers in Drought, Boosting Fossil-Fuel Generation
The irony reveals the need for a greater mix of renewable energy sources
Climate Change
Walling Off One Coastal Area Can Flood Another
Seawalls and levees may simply shift rising water elsewhere—often into disadvantaged communities
Renewable Energy
Wave Power Charges Ahead with Static Electricity Generators
An ocean-powered buoy brings technology closer to the dream of obtaining energy from the sea
Weather
Western Drought Has Lasted Longer Than the Dust Bowl
Dry conditions have drawn down reservoirs, fueled massive wildfires and stunted crops
