Lifeblood: Glen Canyon, Lake Powell and the Future of the Colorado River

At Lee's Ferry, in Northern Arizona, on the western edge of the Navajo Nation, the Colorado River basin is divided into two regions. The Upper Basin includes the states upstream of Lee's Ferry - Colorado, Utah, Wyoming, and New Mexico - while the Lower Basin includes all of the downstream states - California, Nevada, and Arizona. That split is thanks to a document known as the Colorado River Compact, which largely determines how and when Colorado River water flows downstream. Unfortunately, when the Colorado River Compact was signed in 1944, the seven basin states made three huge allocation errors. This episode dives into that story. Part 2 of a 6-part series.To keep up with the pod and for photos of Devan Udall at Lee's Ferry check out @lifeblood.pod on Instagram.Written, hosted, and produced by Evelyn Baher-MurphyThis episode of Lifeblood was made possible by support from the Hulbert Center for Southwest Studies, the Colorado College Journalism Institute, the Utah Rivers Council, Colorado River and Trail Expeditions, Firefly Kitchens, and Outdoor Odysseys Sea Kayaking.

The Colorado River has flowed from source to sea for 6 million years. It is old. Older than most things. And people have lived in relationship with the river for 1000's of years. Their descendants still call the river home. Yet today the river no longer reaches its historical terminus, the Sea of Cortez. This new reality coincides with the arrival of Anglo settlers and is a direct result of a series of policies that have affected where the river is allowed to flow and where the river is allowed to die. This episode dives into that story. Part 1 of a 6-part series.For photos of the Nankoweap Granaries and of Eli Reich dressed as Vishnu Schist for Halloween, follow the pod on Instagram @lifeblood.podWritten, hosted, and produced by Evelyn Baher-MurphyThis episode of Lifeblood was made possible by support from the Hulbert Center for Southwest Studies, the Colorado College Journalism Institute, the Utah Rivers Council, Colorado River and Trail Expeditions, and Outdoor Odysseys Sea Kayaking

With support from the Hulbert Center for Southwest Studies, Utah Rivers Council, and Colorado River and Trail Expeditions, Lifeblood is a 6-part audio documentary, produced and narrated by me, Evelyn Baher-Murphy.When I first learned about the Colorado River, its rapids, its reservoirs, the millions of people who depend on it, and its uncertain future, I wanted to know more. So I set out on the road interviewing stakeholders, policy makers, and experts who care about the river, its resources, and how and where it flows. What I heard is a complicated story of flooded canyons, drowned archaeology, environmental mishaps, water policy miscalculations, megadrought, and hope for the future...hope for radical conservation.Throughout the series. I ask the questions "How did we get here?" and "How do we keep going?”Episode: 1 of Lifeblood airs on Friday, August 22nd.For additional content and updates, follow along on Instagram @lifeblood.pod