Water Episodes

Amidst a decades-long drought, Chris Clarke dives into the complexities of the Colorado River's water crisis, exploring its critical role in agriculture and urban development. Discover the historical renaming of the river and the ensuing political implications, while unraveling the intricacies of the 1922 Colorado River Compact. Chris breaks down water consumption patterns, with a spotlight on beef and dairy production as livestock feed crops consume over half of the river's resources. Learn how changes in agricultural practices and consumer choices related to beef and dairy could alleviate strain on this crucial waterway. Join the discussion on water politics, climate change, and sustainable solutions.

Join host Chris Clarke on "90 Miles from Needles" as he talks with Caroline Tracey about her latest book, "Salt Lakes: An Unnatural History." Explore themes of salt lake conservation, colonialism, and queer theory, revealing unique insights into these fragile desert ecosystems. The discussion touches on global lake preservation efforts and the intertwining of personal transformation with ecological narratives. This episode offers a compelling blend of environmental advocacy and cultural discourse, seamlessly integrating human and natural stories.

Monsoonal rainstorms reshape the desert landscape, and in this episode, Chris explores their recent impact on 29 Palms. Despite the chaos, the storms bring life, vibrancy, and transformation to the arid region. Clarke shares survival tips during flash floods and reflects on the power of nature, from the electric air to the smell of wet creosote.

Discover how grassroots activism and environmental awareness halted a resource-intensive project threatening water and energy supplies in the Arizona desert. Learn about the vital role of unified community voices and progressive city leaders in this victory.

Episode Summary: In this engaging episode of "90 Miles from Needles," host Chris Clarke sits down with Teal Lehto, a passionate water rights activist also known on social media as Western Water Girl. Teal shares insights into her work on public lands protection, the challenges posed by current legislative threats to environment-focused organizations, and the critical issues facing the Colorado River Basin.

About the Guest: Kyle Roerink is the Executive Director of the Great Basin Water Network. Roerink has been a pivotal figure in advocating for sustainable water management across the Great Basin and the Colorado Plateau. His organization has played a significant role in addressing critical issues related to water rights, environmental protection, and the ecological impact of industry and urban development in the arid Southwest. Episode Summary: In this engaging episode of "90 Miles from Needl...

In this episode we welcome back Mason Voehl from the Amargosa Conservancy for an engaging and informative update on the situation surrounding Ash Meadows National Wildlife Refuge and the threat of lithium mining explorations by Rover Critical Minerals. As environmental defenders, the Conservancy alongside partners like the Center for Biological Diversity and the Nature Conservancy has successfully pressed for a pause on Rover's exploration. But Rover has responded by upping the ante. Become a...

In this episode, host Chris Clarke speaks with Patrick Donnelly of the Center for Biological Diversity about a significant victory in the Nevada Supreme Court regarding water rights. They discuss the case of Coyote Springs, a proposed city in the desert that would have a detrimental effect on the Muddy River and its endangered species. The court ruling sets a precedent for managing groundwater and surface water as a single resource, potentially affecting other areas in Nevada facing similar wate...

Ash Meadows National Wildlife Refuge is one of the most extraordinary desert oases on Earth, home to crystal-clear springs and species found nowhere else. This episode explores the refuge's unique ecology, the conservation challenges it faces, and why protecting desert water is vital for preserving biodiversity throughout the Southwest.

Extreme drought and catastrophic flooding can seem like opposites, yet both are becoming defining features of the modern Southwest. This episode examines recent events in Death Valley and the Great Salt Lake, exploring what they reveal about climate change, water management, and the future of desert landscapes.

Summer monsoons shape life across the deserts of the Southwest, bringing relief from extreme heat and sustaining plants and wildlife. This episode explores how the North American Monsoon works, why it varies from year to year, and what scientists are learning about its future in a changing climate.

For generations, the American West has relied on the assumption that water could always be found somewhere. That era is ending. This episode examines drought, the Colorado River, and the changing realities of water management across the Southwest, asking what the future of desert communities will look like as water becomes increasingly scarce.

The Dixie Valley toad lives in just one warm spring in Nevada, making it one of North America's rarest amphibians. This episode explores the conservation fight to protect the species from geothermal development and examines how a tiny desert toad became the center of a much larger debate about renewable energy and biodiversity.