Lake Mead’s water levels are at historic lows. East Coast cities are sinking due to the overpumping of groundwater. Mexico City, one of the world’s largest cities, is running out of water.

The headlines are alarming. However, Colorado State University is working to better understand and find solutions to these wicked problems.

CSU has been one of the top universities doing water research for more than a century since Elwood Mead, the namesake of America’s largest reservoir, became the first head of the Department of Civil and Environmental Engineering in 1883.

Since then, CSU has been leading the way in the fields of water technology, hydrology research and hydraulics. This special report from SOURCE explores the research happening at CSU and provides insights into the ongoing water crisis across the country and around the globe.