Inform. Engage. Educate. Entertain. Delight

90.1FM106.7FM90.7FM
Now Playing: Loading...
Listen Live!

Creating Water Resiliency on the Navajo Nation

July 1, 2025 | By Peggy Hodgkins

Ryan Barton emphasizes the importance of collaboration and negotiation in solving water issues and bringing resilient water systems to the Navajo Nation.  As a hydrologist working for the Navajo Nation Department of Water Resources,  Ryan has been involved in projects for over a decade including hydrographic surveys, lake capacity studies, and the San Juan River Basin Crop Inventory.  Science Moab talks with Ryan about his most recent and ongoing efforts to successfully provide drinking water to the Westwater community west of Blanding, UT through extensive collaboration among various entities.  Ryan’s path into hydrology has been influenced by family and childhood experiences of nature conservation.

 

Science Moab · Creating Water Resiliency on the Navajo Nation

Water, Land, and Identity

March 4, 2025 | By Admin

Dr. Karletta Chief, Director of the Indigenous Resilience Center at the University of Arizona, leads initiatives for Tribal water security and community-driven climate solutions. Dr. Chief, a Diné hydrologist and professor, shares how growing up in Black Mesa on the Navajo Nation has influenced her current work. She emphasizes the importance of utilizing traditional knowledge alongside western science, and ensuring Indigenous communities’ central role in decision-making. We learn about the powerful mission of the Indigenous Resilience Center, and Dr. Chief shares her hopes for empowering the next generation of Indigenous youth to lead and innovate in their communities.

Science Moab · Water, Land, and Identity

Ambient Water in the Desert

January 14, 2022 | By Admin

Ambient water includes water from sources such as lakes, streams and springs. While ambient water may relate to groundwater or drinking water, it is not the same. Arne Hultquist is responsible for testing the ambient water quality in Grand and San Juan Counties, Utah. This includes the drainages of Mill and Pack Creek. As far as desert communities go, Moab and Spanish Valley have excellent ambient water quality.

[soundcloud url=”https://api.soundcloud.com/tracks/1196172769?secret_token=s-QPiJVhendza” params=”color=#ff5500&auto_play=false&hide_related=false&show_comments=true&show_user=true&show_reposts=false&show_teaser=true” width=”100%” height=”166″ iframe=”true” /]

Science Moab · Ambient Water in the Desert

Water Sustainability on the Navajo Nation

January 7, 2022 | By Admin

With about 30% of homes lacking pipe water, and a little over 30% without electricity, it is critical to understand the precipitation network on the Navajo Nation in order to provide sustainable water sources. We talk with principal hydrologist Crystal Tulley-Cordova about her work with the Navajo Nation Department of Water Resources and her knowledge around the precipitation, recharge sources, and opportunities for water storage on the Navajo Nation.

[soundcloud url=”https://api.soundcloud.com/tracks/1191840007?secret_token=s-KxbZWw4snPW” params=”color=#ff5500&auto_play=false&hide_related=false&show_comments=true&show_user=true&show_reposts=false&show_teaser=true” width=”100%” height=”166″ iframe=”true” /]

Science Moab · Water Sustainability on the Navajo Nation