DRI Science On the Colorado River
A selection of DRI research supporting Colorado River water management
The Colorado River is a central part of life in the American West. This national artery supplies water to seven states and parts of northern Mexico, with 40 million people relying on it to keep their taps flowing and nearly the entire country (and beyond) depending on food grown with the river's water. Managing this water responsibly has become a growing challenge, with the region experiencing a historic drought and climate change reducing the predictability of precipitation in the river's headwaters. With less snow falling in the mountains and drier weather pulling more of the river's water back into the atmosphere, scientists and water managers strive to better understand every aspect of the river's water cycle. Researchers at Nevada's Desert Research Institute (DRI) are leading the way in several fields, from the river's Rocky Mountain source down to the Mexican border.
Colorado's East River in the winter, covered in the snow that will become the Colorado River's water.
Scientists at DRI are involved with students at other Nevada System of Higher Education institutions, offering research positions and teaching support, but are not expected to take on the heavy teaching loads of university professors. Instead, they are encouraged to follow their research interests across the traditional boundaries of scientific fields, collaborating across DRI and with scientists worldwide. We reach thousands of young Nevada students annually with specialized science and robotics lessons and free continuing education for teachers. All faculty support their own research through grants, bringing in nearly $5 to the Nevada economy for every $1 of state funds received. With more than 600 scientists, engineers, students, and staff across our Reno and Las Vegas campuses, we conducted more than $52 million in sponsored research focused on improving peoples’ lives in 2024 alone.