Disappearing Rio Grande: A Look Back at 10 Stories

Six months ago, on June 19, Colin McDonald set out to explore the Rio Grande from its source in Colorado. From Stony Pass, he has followed the river by boat and, when the water got too shallow or vanished entirely, by foot. Along the way, he’s talked to ranchers, farmers, fishermen, public officials — anyone who can help tell the story of the river. He’s been joined by photographers who bring the river to life.

The Rio Grande is an incredibly important river, yet in many places very little is known about it. Colin is working to change that.

At this six-month mark, we’re catching up with his journey. We’ve selected 10 of our favorite posts that give a good representation, both in words and photos, of what Colin has found along the river. Meet some of the people who depend on the river and see the stunning landscapes. Then, once you’ve caught up on the journey, you can follow along for the rest. Colin has about a month left before he reaches the Gulf of Mexico, about 1,900 miles from where he started.