Rock weirs are structures that act to slow water down in streams or ditches, decreasing erosion and creating habitat. Weirs offer low-tech solutions to issues that can plague landowners as they manage water crossing their land, and can be a powerful management tool. The strategic addition of rocks to streambeds creates turbulence and drag, which slows water down, reducing its capacity to carry sediment and erode the land. Weirs have been used as a water management tool for thousands of years, but the early 1900s saw a rise in their use for habitat and stream restoration.

The Colorado River Basin is in crisis. There is no longer enough water for all of those who depend on it. The agricultural sector is the largest water user in…

Policy opportunities in the farm bill and beyond The western United States continues to face extended and increasingly severe drought conditions that threaten municipal and agricultural water supplies, energy production,…

Few things are as crucial to ranch operations as water. Getting a handle on your water rights may seem akin to drinking from a fire hose, but it is wildly important. Western water is complex, contentious, and rooted in rich history. This must-read article will help you keep your head above water.

This Brief consists of five sections and an appendix, as follows: Background and Overview covers the basics of the federal Clean Water Act and an overview of the proposal. Considerations…

Caring for New Mexico’s Streams Private stewardship of Western land and water plays a vital role in the health of the West. This must-read guide highlights the importance of New…