Colorado River: Quick Facts

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Last updated

Nov. 14, 2026

News •

Arizona pulls the plug on money for Colorado River cloud seeding • Nov. 6, 2026, 7:03 AM ET (The Arizona Republic)

The American Southwest Is Parched. Can the Recent Floodwaters Quench It? • Nov. 4, 2026, 3:00 AM ET (New York Times)

On the Colorado River, will carrots or sticks make Arizonans conserve? • Nov. 1, 2026, 8:00 AM ET (The Arizona Republic)

CAP joins lawsuit against U.S. over Colorado River cuts • Oct. 29, 2026, 9:29 AM ET (Arizona Daily Star)

Central Arizona Project joins Nevada lawsuit over Colorado River cuts • Oct. 27, 2026, 8:58 PM ET (The Fresno Bee)

Photos and Videos

map of western North America

Colorado River, Grand Canyon National Park

Canyonlands National Park

Grand Canyon National Park

Aerial view of Hoover Dam spanning the Colorado River between steep rocky cliffs in Black Canyon, with Lake Mead behind the dam and arid mountains surrounding the area.

Needles: Colorado River

Two rafts with people float down the Colorado River between steep, layered rock walls in Grand Canyon National Park, Arizona.

Explore the Colorado Plateau and the formation of the Garand Canyon

Colorado River geologic footprint and sandbar formation

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Topics

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