Just outside Canyonlands National Park in San Juan County, rancher Matt Redd walked to a spot where two of his pastures meet. One side is growing alfalfa and other traditional grazing crops with wheel line irrigation. The other is home to a lesser-known grain called Kernza. … Perhaps the most beautiful thing about it, though, is how little water Kernza needs compared to the neighboring pasture. Even though this summer brought Utah record-breaking heat, Redd didn’t water it from July through September. … That means more of his ranch’s water can stay in nearby creeks that flow toward the Colorado River.

Other Colorado River articles:

• Colorado River Studies, Utah State University: Rethinking management of the Colorado River through Lake Powell, Grand Canyon, and Lake Mead
• Aspen Journalism: Officials say water conservation program harmed Grand Valley irrigators
• Alamosa Citizen (Alamosa, Colo.): Water year ends with below-average river flows
• Inkstain blog: Tools for better environmental adaptation as we manage the Colorado River
• The Colorado Sun: Officials expect steady transition from Biden to Trump for Colorado River negotiations