Habitats along the Lower Colorado River

The Colorado River and its tributaries—which support 40 million people, sacred Tribal lands, a $1.4 trillion economy, more than five million acres of farms and ranches, and thousands of species of wildlife—are shrinking due to climate change and overuse.   

Important habitats exist and have been intentionally reestablished along more than 400 miles of the Colorado River as it flows south of Hoover Dam. To raise awareness of these gems in the desert that support 400 species of birds, Audubon Southwest launched a visually-appealing  StoryMap website called Lower Colorado River Habitats: Exploring important habitats of the Lower Colorado River and what they mean for birds and people.     

In addition to beautiful imagery, the StoryMap features:  

• An interactive map to orient viewers to the Lower Colorado River as it flows from Hoover Dam into Mexico, featuring water infrastructure, Tribal lands, and more.   

• A gallery of targeted restoration habitat types and birds that call them home.  

• A tour down the river featuring specific habitat sites.  

• An overview of Colorado River water management and decision timelines.  

For more than 100 years, the Law of the River (the bundle of state and federal laws, international treaties, and court decisions that govern the Colorado River) has prioritized taking water out of the river over protecting river habitats. The current rules governing how Lakes Powell and Mead on the Colorado River operate are expiring and a new set of guidelines to share the river is needed.  

Audubon is engaged in the guidelines process because existing rules for sharing the river leave water users at risk of extreme shortages and leave many of the river’s ecosystems vulnerable to losing water when and where they need it—meaning habitat loss for the hundreds of bird species that depend on these oases in the arid West.  We know that future management will need to stabilize water supplies and avoid catastrophic water shortages to communities that depend on the Colorado River, provide a more meaningful way for Tribes to participate in Colorado River management, and intentionally support these habitats. 

As we continue to manage the stressed Colorado River, it is vital that we elevate and protect these special places—for birds and people.