Drought versus Aridification in the Colorado River Basin
A few dry decades or the new normal?
A few dry decades or the new normal?
USGS Science Collaboration Portal for the Colorado River Basin
Collaboration platform that brings together science, data, and mapping and analytical tools from across the basin
Collaboration platform that brings together science, data, and mapping and analytical tools from across the basin
USGS Colorado River Basin Science & Technology
An Integrated Approach to Improve Efficiency and Delivery of Actionable USGS Drought Science Using Advanced Information Technology
An Integrated Approach to Improve Efficiency and Delivery of Actionable USGS Drought Science Using Advanced Information Technology
USGS Integrated Science Projects in the Colorado River Basin
A Map-based Narrative of Selected USGS Integrated Science Projects
A Map-based Narrative of Selected USGS Integrated Science Projects
Geologic Stories in the Grand Canyon
A September 2023, River Trip to Conduct Collaborative Geologic Studies
A September 2023, River Trip to Conduct Collaborative Geologic Studies
Colorado River Basin Drought and the 2023 Water Year
Geonarrative Presentation about Long-term Colorado River Basin Drought and the 2023 Water Year
Geonarrative Presentation about Long-term Colorado River Basin Drought and the 2023 Water Year
Colorado River Basin: Actionable and Strategic Integrated Science and Technology
The USGS Colorado River Basin Actionable and Strategic Integrated Science and Technology (ASIST) initiative is a landscape scale project to accelerate interdisciplinary science and application of advanced technology for stakeholder-driven challenges in the Colorado River Basin. The ASIST initiative supports science co-development with partners for integrated drought science and technology projects.
News
USGS Colorado River Basin Actionable and Strategic Integrated Science and Technology (ASIST) Initiative Science Co-Development Virtual Workshop, June 24-25, 2025
USGS Colorado River Basin Actionable and Strategic Integrated Science and Technology (ASIST) Initiative Science Co-Development Virtual Workshop, June 24-25, 2025
Drought-Related Studies in the Colorado River Basin Funded by the USGS Colorado River Basin Actionable and Strategic Integrated Science and Technology (ASIST) Initiative
Drought-Related Studies in the Colorado River Basin Funded by the USGS Colorado River Basin Actionable and Strategic Integrated Science and Technology (ASIST) Initiative
USGS provides easy access to Colorado River science with new online portal
USGS provides easy access to Colorado River science with new online portal
Publications
Collaborative drought science planning in the Colorado River Basin Collaborative drought science planning in the Colorado River Basin
The U.S. Geological Survey (USGS) is using collaborative, interdisciplinary planning to develop data and tools needed to optimize the management of water resources and land use by resource management agencies during an ongoing, multidecadal drought in the Colorado River Basin. The USGS Actionable and Strategic Integrated Science and Technology team works to build relationships with...
Scoping decision-maker needs and science availability to support regional natural capital accounting in the U.S. Colorado River Basin Scoping decision-maker needs and science availability to support regional natural capital accounting in the U.S. Colorado River Basin
Natural capital accounting has the potential to yield important policy insights at multiple scales, but there remains a disconnect between regional-scale natural capital accounts and their use for informing policy. In this paper, we propose a roadmap that could lead to the creation of policy-relevant regional accounts, with steps split across an initial scoping phase and a subsequent...
U.S. Geological Survey Colorado River Basin science and technology collaboration meetings on drought (2021)—Synthesis of findings U.S. Geological Survey Colorado River Basin science and technology collaboration meetings on drought (2021)—Synthesis of findings
Ongoing, prolonged, and severe drought and water overuse during the first two decades of the 21st century have reduced water supplies of the Colorado River Basin, with effects cascading to ecosystems and human communities throughout the basin. In June and July 2021, the U.S. Geological Survey (USGS) Colorado River Basin Actionable and Strategic Integrated Science and Technology...
Science
Drought versus Aridification in the Colorado River Basin
The Colorado River Basin is no stranger to drought. However, not all droughts are the same. Drought refers to a temporary state where conditions eventually return to normal. Aridification is the transition to persistent above-average dry conditions that do not return to normal. It is important to know whether the current, prolonged millennium drought (2000-present) is actually the first stages of...
Partners in Science
Partners in Science is a collaborative effort between Grand Canyon Monitoring and Research Center, Grand Canyon Youth, and the National Park Service to provide opportunities for youth to engage in scientific field research in Grand Canyon. This partnership connects youth from diverse backgrounds with the Nation’s natural and cultural resources on 2-3 river-based expeditions on the Colorado River...
Colorado Plateau Extreme Drought in Grassland Experiment (EDGE)
In drylands, short-term extreme droughts can have profound ecosystem effects, depending on the timing (seasonality) of drought and the sensitivities of the dominant plants and plant functional types. Past work suggests that cool season drought may disproportionately impact regionally important grass and shrub species. In this study, we are examining the impacts of extreme seasonal drought on...