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It was June in Utah, and the midday heat was blistering. The AC on “La Tortuga Azul” — the pet name for my family’s lifted #vanlife 2002 Safari —  struggled to keep the heat at bay. This road trip took us from the San Rafael Swell to Capitol Reef National Park and the northern end of Lake Powell. Expecting summer crowds, houseboat revelers and water jets, I was surprised by the dusty tributaries, abandoned boats and roadside communities turning to ghost towns. After a few tries, the map confirmed we were not lost — instead the water had nearly disappeared. 

Water in the West is a complex, evolving and non-linear system as water levels rise and fall with each year’s rainfall. May these images in our photo feature pique your curiosity and lead to a deeper understanding of the interconnectedness of water access, justice and human rights. 

And don’t miss profiles on the class of 2024, ŷ���ڱ���Ƶ’s resident bee expert and a bone archaeologist. 

Maria Kuntz
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