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How tiny dams repair cottonwood trees damaged by giant dams along the Colorado River

By David Condos

Published August 16, 2025 at 8:00 AM EDT

Giant dams built to conserve the Colorado River have nearly wiped out nearby native cottonwood trees, causing big ecosystem disruption. Tiny dams built to mimic those built by beavers could bring them back.

David Condos

Stories From This Author

A park ranger took action 25 years ago. Now, 85 miles of the Escalante River have been saved

David Condos

A retired park ranger "battled" an invasive shrub taking over tributaries of the Colorado River. Now, 85 miles of the Escalante River have been restored.
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With the busy season at many national parks imminent, park advocates and gateway communities are worried visitors and park-related economies will suffer.
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A decade of effort to win more water from the Colorado River is finally paying for the Navajo Nation. The Infrastructure Act is funding new irrigated farms now that the desert tribe can legally pull water from the river.