Morgan
@cowaternerd.bsky.social
Western water policy and river obsessed. Best discussed while floating on said water.
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?
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.
2027 is shaping up to be a big year for the Colorado River with the potential for numerous firsts. Not sure we want to find out what those firsts lead to.
A moderately dry winter in '25-'26 could have the massive reservoir again flirting with a loss of hydropower production by early 2027.
May 23, 2025 at 7:31 PM
2027 is shaping up to be a big year for the Colorado River with the potential for numerous firsts. Not sure we want to find out what those firsts lead to.
Reposted by Morgan
Lake Powell, the nation's second largest reservoir, is on track to have its second worst runoff season in the past 6 years. Flows are currently projected to be 49% of the long-term average.
May 23, 2025 at 4:17 PM
Lake Powell, the nation's second largest reservoir, is on track to have its second worst runoff season in the past 6 years. Flows are currently projected to be 49% of the long-term average.
Reposted by Morgan
Speaking with 'Dialogue Earth' about India's suspension of the Indus Water Treaty, I tell how using transboundary rivers as tools of coercion will affect India's credibility among neighbouring countries in South Asia. dialogue.earth/en/water/wha...
What India’s river moves mean for South Asian water cooperation
India’s suspension of the Indus Waters Treaty marks a turning point in transboundary water diplomacy with Pakistan – and could destabilise South Asian regional cooperation
dialogue.earth
May 9, 2025 at 8:49 PM
Speaking with 'Dialogue Earth' about India's suspension of the Indus Water Treaty, I tell how using transboundary rivers as tools of coercion will affect India's credibility among neighbouring countries in South Asia. dialogue.earth/en/water/wha...
Reposted by Morgan
Please share with the water wonks in your life!
Colorado Mesa University is hiring an Executive Director for the Ruth Powell Hutchins Water Center. For more information and to apply, go to tinyurl.com/4v4x9vvs
Colorado Mesa University is hiring an Executive Director for the Ruth Powell Hutchins Water Center. For more information and to apply, go to tinyurl.com/4v4x9vvs
Executive Director, CMU Ruth Powell Hutchins Water Center
See job ad.
tinyurl.com
April 22, 2025 at 8:26 PM
Please share with the water wonks in your life!
Colorado Mesa University is hiring an Executive Director for the Ruth Powell Hutchins Water Center. For more information and to apply, go to tinyurl.com/4v4x9vvs
Colorado Mesa University is hiring an Executive Director for the Ruth Powell Hutchins Water Center. For more information and to apply, go to tinyurl.com/4v4x9vvs
Reposted by Morgan
FYI: Rapid snowmelt happening in Upper Colorado R Basin this wk...w/most of it heading on to Mead instead of staying in basin (thus, no rise in within-basin reservoirs or Powell).
cnap.ucsd.edu/water-storag...
For Sierra (a bit further back re: melt status), see
cw3e.ucsd.edu/water_storag...
cnap.ucsd.edu/water-storag...
For Sierra (a bit further back re: melt status), see
cw3e.ucsd.edu/water_storag...
April 18, 2025 at 4:27 PM
FYI: Rapid snowmelt happening in Upper Colorado R Basin this wk...w/most of it heading on to Mead instead of staying in basin (thus, no rise in within-basin reservoirs or Powell).
cnap.ucsd.edu/water-storag...
For Sierra (a bit further back re: melt status), see
cw3e.ucsd.edu/water_storag...
cnap.ucsd.edu/water-storag...
For Sierra (a bit further back re: melt status), see
cw3e.ucsd.edu/water_storag...
Water compact deliveries based on volumes instead of hydrology were a terrible idea 100+ years ago. But upholding those requirements now is an even worse idea.
April 8, 2025 at 4:17 PM
Water compact deliveries based on volumes instead of hydrology were a terrible idea 100+ years ago. But upholding those requirements now is an even worse idea.
Reposted by Morgan
I’ve been managing my health by staying off social media, but jumped back to share some stuff my colleagues and I have been writing about the Colorado River that feels important. A thread….
March 22, 2025 at 1:04 AM
I’ve been managing my health by staying off social media, but jumped back to share some stuff my colleagues and I have been writing about the Colorado River that feels important. A thread….
Reposted by Morgan
New on my Substack: I talked with UNM's @jfleck.bsky.social about why Colorado River negotiations are at an impasse and what happens when the federal government becomes an unreliable partner. www.westernwaternotes.com/p/q-and-a-th...
February 12, 2025 at 4:32 PM
New on my Substack: I talked with UNM's @jfleck.bsky.social about why Colorado River negotiations are at an impasse and what happens when the federal government becomes an unreliable partner. www.westernwaternotes.com/p/q-and-a-th...
Reposted by Morgan
Congrats to DK! I hope him the best in retirement, but will say the Colorado River Basin will miss him. Maybe he'll pull an Eric Kuhn and won't go far?? And we can still benefit from his wealth of knowledge??
www.coloradoriverdistrict.org/after-thirty...
www.coloradoriverdistrict.org/after-thirty...
After Thirty Years, Dave Kanzer to Retire - Colorado River District 2024
Dave Kanzer, Director of Science and Interstate Matters, to retire from the Colorado River District after thirty years of service.
www.coloradoriverdistrict.org
February 10, 2025 at 11:03 PM
Congrats to DK! I hope him the best in retirement, but will say the Colorado River Basin will miss him. Maybe he'll pull an Eric Kuhn and won't go far?? And we can still benefit from his wealth of knowledge??
www.coloradoriverdistrict.org/after-thirty...
www.coloradoriverdistrict.org/after-thirty...
I understand there are more pressing issues at the moment, but gutting domestic programs is going to have long term impacts in the CO River Basin. Drought adaptation is expensive and essential. It takes time and investment.
February 7, 2025 at 2:39 PM
I understand there are more pressing issues at the moment, but gutting domestic programs is going to have long term impacts in the CO River Basin. Drought adaptation is expensive and essential. It takes time and investment.
Reposted by Morgan
Norm Nevills' Glen Canyon thirst trap 1938
January 23, 2025 at 6:42 PM
Norm Nevills' Glen Canyon thirst trap 1938
Reposted by Morgan
Collateral damage from the current dysfunction in the Colorado River Basin governance community: www.inkstain.net/2025/01/wate...
Water for Navajo is the latest victim of Colorado River Basin governance dysfunction
Winters rights are no match for the current dysfunction of Colorado River Basin governance. Shannon Mullane at the Colorado Sun has been on this, and last week had some useful details: Advocates of…
www.inkstain.net
January 13, 2025 at 3:19 PM
Collateral damage from the current dysfunction in the Colorado River Basin governance community: www.inkstain.net/2025/01/wate...
Life After Deadpool with Zak Podmore
The voice of stewardship in the American West
onland.westernlandowners.org
December 23, 2024 at 5:10 PM