Morgan
@cowaternerd.bsky.social
Western water policy and river obsessed. Best discussed while floating on said water.
I’d bet my law school loans that the law is more flexible than the water that falls from the sky.
February 13, 2026 at 10:32 PM
I’d bet my law school loans that the law is more flexible than the water that falls from the sky.
Without an incredible change in the trajectory of winter precipitation in the CO Basin this may be the year we see catastrophic collapse of the system and it really feels like we’re just standing on the tracks watching the train saying “we don’t have the legal authority to step off the track”
February 13, 2026 at 10:29 PM
Without an incredible change in the trajectory of winter precipitation in the CO Basin this may be the year we see catastrophic collapse of the system and it really feels like we’re just standing on the tracks watching the train saying “we don’t have the legal authority to step off the track”
Reposted by Morgan
New projections out today show Lake Powell -- nation's second largest reservoir -- careening toward a loss of hydropower production as early as July 2026. Even the more optimistic model shows it losing power in December.
Meanwhile, the basin's leaders today admit failure on crafting new policy.
Meanwhile, the basin's leaders today admit failure on crafting new policy.
February 13, 2026 at 10:15 PM
New projections out today show Lake Powell -- nation's second largest reservoir -- careening toward a loss of hydropower production as early as July 2026. Even the more optimistic model shows it losing power in December.
Meanwhile, the basin's leaders today admit failure on crafting new policy.
Meanwhile, the basin's leaders today admit failure on crafting new policy.
A little bit of snow falling in the San Juans the last few days, rain in the mid country, which really brings up the issue: the states can sue each other and the courts can find for whoever they want, but if there’s not enough water to get through Glen Canyon dam, it’s all irrelevant.
February 13, 2026 at 5:24 PM
A little bit of snow falling in the San Juans the last few days, rain in the mid country, which really brings up the issue: the states can sue each other and the courts can find for whoever they want, but if there’s not enough water to get through Glen Canyon dam, it’s all irrelevant.
Reposted by Morgan
Talked about the Colorado River on @kjzz.org: www.kjzz.org/the-show/202...
Conversation inspired by my recent @nytimes.com op-ed: www.nytimes.com/2026/02/02/o...
Conversation inspired by my recent @nytimes.com op-ed: www.nytimes.com/2026/02/02/o...
Colorado River states are staring down a Feb. 14 deadline. Here's what might happen next
Arizona’s water future depends on negotiations over Colorado River water that are coming to a head right now.
www.kjzz.org
February 13, 2026 at 12:41 AM
Talked about the Colorado River on @kjzz.org: www.kjzz.org/the-show/202...
Conversation inspired by my recent @nytimes.com op-ed: www.nytimes.com/2026/02/02/o...
Conversation inspired by my recent @nytimes.com op-ed: www.nytimes.com/2026/02/02/o...
Reposted by Morgan
“I don't see any plan, any strategy, any end game,” says Pat Parenteau, a professor of environmental law at the University of Vermont. “I don't see anything from this administration, just fuck everything up as much as you can. You can print that.”
Sounds accurate to me.
Sounds accurate to me.
The Fight Over US Climate Rules Is Just Beginning
As the EPA moves to roll back the endangerment finding, which allows it to regulate greenhouse gases, experts predict uncertainty for business and a protracted legal fight.
www.wired.com
February 12, 2026 at 7:53 PM
“I don't see any plan, any strategy, any end game,” says Pat Parenteau, a professor of environmental law at the University of Vermont. “I don't see anything from this administration, just fuck everything up as much as you can. You can print that.”
Sounds accurate to me.
Sounds accurate to me.
Reposted by Morgan
Even with the weekend snows, Upper Colorado River basin snowpack is still at a record low with barely a flake in the 10-day forecast.
January 26, 2026 at 5:59 PM
Even with the weekend snows, Upper Colorado River basin snowpack is still at a record low with barely a flake in the 10-day forecast.
Reposted by Morgan
As of today we have a new record low snowpack for the Upper Colorado River basin for late January.
January 21, 2026 at 5:25 PM
As of today we have a new record low snowpack for the Upper Colorado River basin for late January.
Reposted by Morgan
Town council presented with flood recovery funding scenarios after FEMA denies funds -- The #PagosaSprings Sun #SanJuanRiver coyotegulch.blog/2026/01/11/t...
Town council presented with flood recovery funding scenarios after FEMA denies funds — The #PagosaSprings Sun #SanJuanRiver
Total precipitation (inches) from 9-15 October 2025 with gridded data from the PRISM Climate Group and observations from the Community Collaborative Rain, Hail, and Snow (CoCoRaHS) network. Click t…
coyotegulch.blog
January 11, 2026 at 3:07 PM
Town council presented with flood recovery funding scenarios after FEMA denies funds -- The #PagosaSprings Sun #SanJuanRiver coyotegulch.blog/2026/01/11/t...
Reposted by Morgan
My latest in @protectparks.bsky.social's magazine, about a trip down Cataract Canyon to see how drought has drained a reservoir... and revived a river. www.npca.org/articles/112...
Wild River, Ghost Lake
Drought is a crisis for the West. But it has also resurrected a long-lost desert river.
www.npca.org
December 24, 2025 at 12:20 AM
My latest in @protectparks.bsky.social's magazine, about a trip down Cataract Canyon to see how drought has drained a reservoir... and revived a river. www.npca.org/articles/112...
Beyond the requisite wondering lost through Vegas casinos, CRWUA started this year with a 1am wake-up by the neighbors drunkenly picking the wrong door to try to open. In Vegas, all who wonder apparently are lost
December 16, 2025 at 6:43 PM
Beyond the requisite wondering lost through Vegas casinos, CRWUA started this year with a 1am wake-up by the neighbors drunkenly picking the wrong door to try to open. In Vegas, all who wonder apparently are lost
I don’t envy DOI’s responsibility in the CO basin, but I also don’t envy the position of state negotiators, who have been tasked with solving the water crisis, ensuring their state’s water supply, and complying with a compact that is straight off a Contracts exam asking “why is this void?”
December 16, 2025 at 2:55 PM
I don’t envy DOI’s responsibility in the CO basin, but I also don’t envy the position of state negotiators, who have been tasked with solving the water crisis, ensuring their state’s water supply, and complying with a compact that is straight off a Contracts exam asking “why is this void?”
Reposted by Morgan
A study in public policy crafted in the dark.
Utah's negotiator claims no Colorado River deadline missed, the feds were pleased with progress on a plan... the public just can't see it yet. subscriber.politicopro.com/article/eene...
Utah's negotiator claims no Colorado River deadline missed, the feds were pleased with progress on a plan... the public just can't see it yet. subscriber.politicopro.com/article/eene...
E&E News: Deadline for Colorado River decision shifts to February
The clock is ticking on short-term interstate deals on water use. A long-term operating plan must be in place by Oct. 1, 2026.
subscriber.politicopro.com
November 13, 2025 at 5:58 PM
A study in public policy crafted in the dark.
Utah's negotiator claims no Colorado River deadline missed, the feds were pleased with progress on a plan... the public just can't see it yet. subscriber.politicopro.com/article/eene...
Utah's negotiator claims no Colorado River deadline missed, the feds were pleased with progress on a plan... the public just can't see it yet. subscriber.politicopro.com/article/eene...
Litigation may take years, but power pool may take months. If it doesn’t start snowing, we’re going to need the construction speed of the dam building era just to avoid dead pool. The question is quickly turning from can we agree/litigate fast enough, to can we build fast enough.
November 13, 2025 at 3:01 AM
Litigation may take years, but power pool may take months. If it doesn’t start snowing, we’re going to need the construction speed of the dam building era just to avoid dead pool. The question is quickly turning from can we agree/litigate fast enough, to can we build fast enough.
Reposted by Morgan
“Litigation could take years, if not decades, to resolve. The effects of aridification are unfolding at a faster rate.” @danielrothberg.bsky.social invisiblewaters.substack.com/p/what-happe...
What happened on the Colorado River?
Negotiating around legal uncertainties as climate change takes its toll.
invisiblewaters.substack.com
November 13, 2025 at 1:59 AM
“Litigation could take years, if not decades, to resolve. The effects of aridification are unfolding at a faster rate.” @danielrothberg.bsky.social invisiblewaters.substack.com/p/what-happe...
Reposted by Morgan
“Previous negotiations did not address core issues. They either delayed them or worked around them, making do based on the circumstances of the time.” Good piece from Caitlin Ochs on the legal questions behind the Colorado River talks: www.hcn.org/articles/why...
Why Colorado River negotiations are so difficult - High Country News
Basin states have had 2 years to figure out how to share the shrinking river. Will they get there before the feds step in?
www.hcn.org
November 11, 2025 at 6:44 PM
“Previous negotiations did not address core issues. They either delayed them or worked around them, making do based on the circumstances of the time.” Good piece from Caitlin Ochs on the legal questions behind the Colorado River talks: www.hcn.org/articles/why...
Getting the feeling the states want the feds to take the fall for the inevitable water cuts in both the Upper and Lower Basins.
October 31, 2025 at 12:12 AM
Getting the feeling the states want the feds to take the fall for the inevitable water cuts in both the Upper and Lower Basins.
Reposted by Morgan
And Glen Canyon lovers won’t want to miss this!
September 24, 2025 at 9:54 PM
And Glen Canyon lovers won’t want to miss this!
I have so many question about the regional precipitation impacts of drying up the massive wetlands fed by the Colorado River in Mexico (~3% of 1.9 million acres remain). Anyone know of any studies on the subject?
September 12, 2025 at 4:58 PM
I have so many question about the regional precipitation impacts of drying up the massive wetlands fed by the Colorado River in Mexico (~3% of 1.9 million acres remain). Anyone know of any studies on the subject?
Asked about this once and was told “we’re always within the error range, so the model is accurate.” My friend, if we’re in the bottom 10% 30% of the time, the model’s not working.
August 15, 2025 at 11:19 PM
Asked about this once and was told “we’re always within the error range, so the model is accurate.” My friend, if we’re in the bottom 10% 30% of the time, the model’s not working.
We’ve been closer to minimum probable than mid the last few years. Just sayin’ 👀
Reclamation's updated reservoir projections were released today. Lake Powell could hit all-time lows next summer, threatening hydropower generation at the Glen Canyon Dam.
August 15, 2025 at 10:52 PM
We’ve been closer to minimum probable than mid the last few years. Just sayin’ 👀
Reposted by Morgan
Want to see something really insane? Look at this website for USGS's Water Science Centers and Regions and see how many of their directors have "Former Employee" after their names. Everyone's gone! My best friend from grad school was one of them. Who's monitoring floods, droughts, etc?
Water Science Centers and Regions
A list of all of the USGS Water Resources Mission Area Science Centers and regions, hubs for critical water science funded by Federal, State, and other partners and stakeholders located throughout the...
www.usgs.gov
May 3, 2025 at 9:50 AM
Want to see something really insane? Look at this website for USGS's Water Science Centers and Regions and see how many of their directors have "Former Employee" after their names. Everyone's gone! My best friend from grad school was one of them. Who's monitoring floods, droughts, etc?
Reposted by Morgan
A refreshing breakthrough on #ColoradoRiver negotiations: let's manage the river based on the actual water it has, not what was legally promised 100 years ago. (The fact that this idea is simultaneously "innovative" and...obvious...says a lot about western water policy) www.upr.org/mountain-wes...
New Colorado River proposal breaks over year long negotiation deadlock
Colorado River states appear to be coalescing around the early makings of a new plan to share water in a way that accounts for climate change.
www.upr.org
June 26, 2025 at 12:18 AM
A refreshing breakthrough on #ColoradoRiver negotiations: let's manage the river based on the actual water it has, not what was legally promised 100 years ago. (The fact that this idea is simultaneously "innovative" and...obvious...says a lot about western water policy) www.upr.org/mountain-wes...
Don’t tell me democrats are powerless - my 7 lb cat once stole the rabies syringe from the vet and escaped from 3 vet techs and the vet while waving the needle wildly in the direction of anyone who came near. Where there’s a will, there’s a way.
June 24, 2025 at 5:36 PM
Don’t tell me democrats are powerless - my 7 lb cat once stole the rabies syringe from the vet and escaped from 3 vet techs and the vet while waving the needle wildly in the direction of anyone who came near. Where there’s a will, there’s a way.