A new U.S.

Pharmaceuticals commonly found in the environment are found in streams, with unknown impacts on aquatic life and water quality. So reports a new Ecological Applications paper, which highlights the ecological cost of pharmaceutical waste and the need for more research into environmental impacts.

At least 80 percent of the precipitation that falls in the hot and dry American Southwest is lost to evapotranspiration, U.S. Geological Survey scientists said in a new report that will help resource managers plan for the future. The study, published in the Journal of the American Water Resources, is the first to map average evapotranspiration rates across the continental United States.

Do your small part to adapt to climate change and stop it in its tracks, or a global problem could continue to get worse. That was the primary message from a panel of five Northern Colorado scientists — all of whom helped author the 2013 National Climate Assessment — speaking Wednesday at a Colorado State University forum about the local impacts of climate change.

Better sewage treatment in Las Vegas, long-term treatment of persistent pollution from industrial sources and development of artificial wetlands have all helped protect water quality Lake Mead, according to federal scientists who recently released a report the status of the last big storage bucket in the Colorado River’s plumbing system. Overall, the U.S.

Groundwater and surface-water systems are connected, and groundwater discharge is often a substantial component of the total flow of a

Groundwater provides drinking water for millions of Americans and is the primary source of water to irrigate cropland in many of the nations most productive agricultural settings. Although the benefits of groundwater development are many, groundwater pumping can reduce the flow of water in connected streams and rivers -- a process called streamflow depletion by wells.

Fall is here, and winter is right around the corner. During this time of year, the river isn’t expected to be rushing. The San Juan River normally winds leisurely through Pagosa Country being adorned by the falling golden leaves — a perfect backdrop for a lovely photo. Or possibly the river might take on another meaning for those looking to catch fish.

Consider some of the following High Country News numbers to provide a sense of the Colorado River water future: