Alex Hager

Farmers in California’s Imperial Valley are under a lot of pressure to use less water. What do they want in return? kunc.org/news/2023-07-1…

Snow is disappearing into thin air, and making the Colorado River drier. I tagged along with some scientists digging for clues. kunc.org/news/2023-05-0…

The Gila River Indian Community is among the first to get federal payouts as part of a program to incentivize water cutbacks in the Lower Basin. kunc.org/news/2023-04-0…

A delightful break from the doom and gloom of the water beat! I tagged along with some fifth-graders learning where water comes from, where it goes, and how "sharing is caring" matters for its future. kunc.org/news/2023-04-0…

An unannounced special guest just took the stage at SWCD’s conference in Ignacio. “When people ask me my top three issues, I say ‘water, water, and water.’” - Lauren Boebert

There's a new congressional caucus focused on the Colorado River. What can it do? What CAN'T it do? My latest on a group designed to rally some of the " Herculean" federal investment needed for water projects. kunc.org/news/2023-03-2…

Earlier this year, six of the seven Colorado River basin states signed off on a proposal to use less of that water. California was not one of those states. The Show speaks with @awhager about this. kjzz.org/content/184189…

Working and playing in the mountains. Spring warmth, and plenty of snow underfoot.

Talked with some folks about dying. “It isn't a frightening looking piece of equipment to me, and by the time I'm ready for it, I'm not going to be looking at it anyway.” kunc.org/news/2023-03-1…

What really happened when states met to negotiate Colorado River cutbacks in January? Take a peek behind the curtain: kunc.org/news/2023-03-0…

As @EAKoebele pointed out, I meant to say "January." Only slip was because I was simultaneously writing a story about Flaming Gorge releases, which were supposed to end in April! And, yes, I still oppose the idea of a Twitter edit button.

NEW: California says it wasn't consulted during Colorado River negotiations in April. Other states disagree. So what really happened? An attempt to find out: kunc.org/news/2023-03-0…

ALSO NEW: Reclamation is going to suspend some water releases from Flaming Gorge Reservoir, about two months earlier than scheduled. This comes after Upper Basin states sent a letter asking for the pause. kunc.org/news/2023-03-0…

@harkjay350 Hi Jayne, I'm a reporter with KUNC hoping to get in touch with you for a story. Could you please send me a DM or email at alex.hager [at] kunc dot org? Thanks!

A few days later, Lower Basin states issued a response. They agreed with the idea of suspending some releases, but said we should wait a few months to see the full effects of spring runoff, and leave the door open for more releases. Lower Basin response: kunc.org/environment/20…

This winter has been particularly wet. Water managers want to take advantage of that and help refill Flaming Gorge Reservoir. They want to hit pause on some releases, which are used to add water to Lake Powell. Here's the Upper Basin proposal: (1/2) kunc.org/environment/20…

On Monday, the Upper Basin announced its pitch to hit pause on some water releases from Flaming Gorge Reservoir. Today, the Lower Basin has a response. Details within: kunc.org/environment/20…

NEW: Colorado, Utah, Wyoming and New Mexico are asking @usbr to pause some releases from Flaming Gorge Reservoir. Water from Flaming Gorge has been used to help prop up Lake Powell. kunc.org/environment/20…

@grandpa__shark Related: Just saw a post about this exact thing! twitter.com/kathrynfiona/s…

For no particular reason, I'm spending this snowy morning thinking back to one of my all-time favorite reporting trips. Take a dive into the wet and wildfire-resistant world of beavers! kunc.org/environment/20…