Iowa

Dry Farming in the News

Start your Monday off with some fresh off the press news! Check out these recently published articles discussing rivers and drought in the Western USA.

Colorado River states announce breakthrough water sharing deal by Kirk Siegler of All Things Considered on NPR

In incredible news out of the West, the three states that are part of a water-sharing agreement for the Colorado River reached a new, updated agreement to reduce usage of the drought-ridden river. A must-read article!

One Colorado river basin has been drying for years. It’s changing a way of life.  by Michael Booth of the Colorado Sun

An excellent read for in-depth reporting on efforts to save and share the Republican River, and the painful costs and often ephemeral benefits to the local communities.

Dry years cut nitrate loads in Iowa’s rivers by Jared Strong of Iowa Capital Dispatch

Read about Iowa’s reports of reduction of runoff during dry years and environmental groups’ responses to the data. This highlights an interesting benefit to drought that calls into question the endless cycle of industrial farming and fertilization.