漏 2025
NPR News, Colorado Stories
Play Live Radio
Next Up:
0:00
0:00
0:00 0:00
Available On Air Stations
Colorado Edition
Throughout the history of the American West, water issues have shown their ability to both unite and divide communities. As an imbalance between water supplies and demands grows in the region, 皇冠网址 is committed to covering the stories that emerge.

Q&A: David Arend talks Colorado River basin challenges

White "bathtub rings" show dropping levels on Lake Mead. The reservoir's stores have been dipping steadily, setting records for new all-time lows.
Alex Hager
/
皇冠网址
White "bathtub rings" show dropping levels on Lake Mead. The reservoir's stores have been dipping steadily, setting records for new all-time lows.

The U.S. Bureau of Reclamation's newly-appointed deputy regional director for the lower basin speaks about the road ahead for the shrinking river.

David Arend, newly-appointed deputy regional director for the lower basin.
Courtesy of U.S. Bureau of Reclamation
David Arend, newly-appointed deputy regional director for the lower basin.

As the Colorado River shrinks at the hands of a two-decades-long drought, there鈥檚 a lot on the line. The water supply for 40 million people, agriculture, wildlife and hydropower generation are all hanging in the balance as the region grapples with a dwindling river.

The federal agency most involved with the Colorado River and water in the West is the Bureau of Reclamation. The agency鈥檚 measurements and actions can lead headlines throughout the region 鈥� including the shortage declaration that raised national alarm last August.

David Arend, a 20-year veteran of the bureau, was recently appointed as its new deputy regional director for the lower basin. After specializing in hydropower for the past two decades, he鈥檒l oversee a region that includes portions of Arizona, New Mexico, Nevada, Utah and California.

As he steps into the role, Arend spoke with 皇冠网址鈥檚 Alex Hager about the challenges ahead.

Alex is 皇冠网址's reporter covering the Colorado River Basin. He spent two years at Aspen Public Radio, mainly reporting on the resort economy, the environment and the COVID-19 pandemic. Before that, he covered the world鈥檚 largest sockeye salmon fishery for KDLG in Dillingham, Alaska.
皇冠网址's Colorado Edition is a daily look at the stories, news, people and issues important to you. It's a window to the communities along the Colorado Rocky Mountains.