The Latest Breaking News from the American West

How Betty Woolsey’s 270-acre Wyoming ranch near Jackson Hole was protected

Long before Jackson Hole became a destination for skiers and visitors drawn to the American West, Betty Woolsey was looking for somewhere quieter. An accomplished skier and mountaineer, she had competed internationally, climbed in the European Alps and travelled through remote mountain countries. Yet the place she chose to settle…

The Times of India · 11h ago

A 5,000-acre Wyoming ranch was bought by conservationists in the 1990s; instead of ending ranching, they kept cattle grazing to protect the ecosystem

A Wyoming ranch proved cattle grazing can protect ecosystems. Conservationists bought Red Canyon Ranch and kept cattle grazing to test coexistence. Managed grazing mimics historical patterns, supporting grasslands and diverse plant communities. This approach informs conservation strategies across the American West today. The ranch serves as a model for balancing…

The Times of India · Sep 3

Pyrograzing turns ordinary livestock into fire prevention heroes, so why isn’t it used on public lands more often?

In grasslands across the American West, four-legged fire prevention crews are busy at work, helping keep wildfire risk under control. These cattle, goats and sheep stomp down tall grasses as they munch their way through plants that could otherwise burn, lowering the risk of catastrophic fires in the process.

The Conversation · Sep 2

Cloud seeding drones generate 19 million gallons of water in Alaska in just three hours, raising hopes for drought-hit regions

A pioneering climate-tech startup claims its drones have successfully induced millions of gallons of extra rainfall in Alaska. By targeting existing clouds and promoting ice crystal growth, this technology could provide vital support for drought-affected regions in the American West. The Alaska trials sought to measure the precipitation output, a…

The Times of India · Aug 26

In 2000, drought began gripping the American West. By 2021, tree rings showed its driest 22-year period in 1,200 years

The American West did not suddenly run out of water, the crisis built slowly. Around 2000, a prolonged drought began spreading across the region, with dry conditions returning year after year and leaving less moisture in the ground. Reservoirs fell, vegetation struggled and the effects of each dry season began…

The Times of India · Aug 13

In 2000, the American West entered a megadrought that became its driest stretch in roughly 1,200 years. Years later, it left major lakes and reservoirs majorly depleted, with some losing enough water to expose miles of lakebed

Several major North American lakes are experiencing significant water level declines. Drought, warming temperatures, and increased water demands are the primary causes. Lake Powell and Lake Mead show dramatic reductions in their water storage capacity. The Great Salt Lake and Walker Lake have also seen substantial volume losses. These water…

The Economic Times · Aug 12

West American dams are on the verge of shutting down: Lack of maintenance is filling them with silt faster than ever, making the great structures obsolete

The accumulation of sediment in reservoirs across the American West represents a significant challenge for water resource management. Since the early 20th century, thousands of dams have been constructed to provide essential services, including hydro-electric power, irrigation for agriculture, and reliable municipal water supplies. However, these structures naturally trap the…

The Times of India · Aug 5

Electric companies don’t need to black out customers to prevent wildfires – here are 3 relatively fast, affordable solutions

A severe winter snow drought has left snowpack levels far below normal across the American West in 2026. Without a slow-melting blanket of snow to keep the soil and forests moist, alpine vegetation is drying into a tinderbox earlier than normal and ramping up the fire risk.

The Conversation · Jul 7

How Motorcycle Tours Deliver Once-in-a-Lifetime Journeys on Legendary Roads

There exists a particular breed of traveller who yearns not merely for a destination, but for the visceral experience of the journey itself. For these adventurers, the road becomes the story, and the mode of transport transforms into a gateway to freedom. Across continents and cultures, legendary stretches of tarmac…

inkl · Mar 30

Review: A Period Drama About the Price of Progress in the American West

Train Dreams follows a logger in the Pacific Northwest during the age of westward expansion.

Reason · Mar 13