Dead fish line the sun-baked shore of Neenoshe Reservoir in eastern Colorado. Water in the sandy Arkansas River bed inches slowly eastward. Exposed rock, water lines, marooned boats and fresh green growth illustrate dramatic changes to the Colorado River and its tributaries happening at this very moment.
Two Colorado photojournalists on the front lines of Western water鈥檚 decline have captured these pivotal scenes 鈥 and in doing so, and convey the consequences of hundred-year-old legal agreements, showcase what鈥檚 at stake and start conversations that will shape not only the future of Western water, but the rights of the people who rely on it.
鈥淒rought, climate change and water issues in the West 鈥 no matter if it鈥檚 in the Colorado or Arkansas river basin, it鈥檚 all tied together,鈥 said Sangosti.
The photographers received Ted Scripps Fellowships, a philanthropy-funded program celebrating over 25 years at 精品SM在线影片鈥檚 Center for Environmental Journalism. As the region鈥檚 environment and its resources rapidly change, seeing is believing.