Images

The Great Basin area in the northern Snake Range near the Utah/Nevada boarder. 

The Great Basin area in the northern Snake Range near the Utah/Nevada boarder. 

The Great Basin area in the northern Snake Range near the Utah/Nevada boarder. 

Water flowing on the Colorado River near Moab, Utah. 

The entire Colorado River Basin currently supports 50 million people, and that amount is expected to increase by 23 million between 2000 and 2030. A new USGS study shows more than half of the streamflow in the Upper Colorado River Basin originates as groundwater. 

Snow-capped peaks of the La Sal Mountain Range as seen from the Island in the Sky District of Canyonlands National Park. This is one area in the Southwest where biocrust plays an important role. 

Receding Great Salt Lake as seen from causeway

Collecting sample in tall grass at Kane Springs, San Juan County, Utah, Fall 2015.

South Salt Wash, Emery County, Utah.

Collecting sediment traps on Lake Powell.

For the first time since it was opened in 1984, water has stopped flowing through the Great Salt Lake causeway breach, an area that allows water to travel between the southern and northern parts of the lake.

A gage to measure lake water levels stands dry in the lake bed of the Great Salt Lake. For the first time since it was opened in 1984, water has stopped flowing through the Great Salt Lake causeway breach, an area that allows water to travel between the southern and northern parts of the lake.

Hydrologic technician wades stream to collect a water-quality sample on Muddy Creek near Tomsich Butte, eastern Utah.

USGS scientist makes ADCP measurement from canoe where the Bear River enters Great Salt Lake

USGS hydrologic technician makes an ADCP measurement by walking across streambed on the Bear River below Alexander Reservoir, Idaho.

USGS hydrologist walks across Great Salt Lake beach to reach receding shoreline. 

Great Salt Lake, declining water level

Stilling well on Lake Fork above Moon Lake that is used to measure stream stage, and ultimately amount of water entering Moon Lake, on the south slope of the Uintas.

USGS soil scientist Travis Nauman records vegetation data on decommissioned well pad.

USGS soil scientist Travis Nauman examines biological soil crust communities near an abandoned well pad during field work.

USGS scientist Jessica Mikenas collects surface soil pH data on decommissioned well pad.

USGS soil scientist Travis Nauman records vegetation data on decommissioned well pad.