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Morgan

@cowaternerd.bsky.social
55 followers 44 following 63 posts

Western water policy and river obsessed. Best discussed while floating on said water.

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Morgan @cowaternerd.bsky.social · 13/08/2026
In my utopia, people in the West understand this about water law specifically.
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Morgan @cowaternerd.bsky.social · 04/08/2026
Over and over again the solutions that are proposed for water shortages in the West are based on current tools, like in-stream flow programs, but those fully fail to recognize the scale of the crisis. Fixing this is going to involve creating new tools, not trying to make existing solutions scale.
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Sammy Roth @sammyroth.bsky.social · 21/07/2026
Trump didn't just eliminate 91% of Bears Ears National Monument — he eliminated the first-of-its-kind tribal commission that has helped manage the monument: www.hcn.org/articles/bea...
hcn.org
Bears Ears cuts also end first-of-its-kind tribal land commission  - High Country News
A presidential proclamation slashed the monument by 90% despite a promise to involve tribes.
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Ian James @ianjames.bsky.social · 14/05/2026
The dire ‘math problem’ of the Colorado River I asked Anne Castle how far western states’ leaders are from really addressing the crisis. Her answer: Nowhere near. www.latimes.com/environment/...
latimes.com
A dire 'math problem' on the Colorado River and wholly inadequate responses
The Colorado River is severely overtapped and its reservoirs are declining to critically low levels. Experts analyze what it would take to head off disaster.
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Luke Runyon @lukerunyon.bsky.social · 22/04/2026
I'm having a hard time believing my eyes with water data this year. The Colorado River mainstem through Grand Junction was flowing at 54 cfs last night. Not a typo. 54 cfs. Last year on this date it was flowing at 1,420cfs. Even in 2002, the driest year on record, it was at 690cfs on April 22.
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Luke Runyon @lukerunyon.bsky.social · 22/04/2026
Went down to the Colorado River in Grand Junction to see what this very low flow looks like. Plenty of exposed cobble bars. Looking low and slow and what you might expect to see in late summer with heavy diversion upstream. Not the start of spring runoff.
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Tanner Allread @tannerallread.bsky.social · 10/04/2026
Honestly still in shock by its placement, but my article (and job talk paper), “Indigenous Constitutionalism,” is officially out in the Harvard Law Review. A brief thread on this project🧵 harvardlawreview.org/print/vol-13...
harvardlawreview.org
Indigenous Constitutionalism - Harvard Law Review
By standard accounts, there are fifty-four constitutions across the federal, state, and territorial governments of the United States. But in fact, there are 230 other governmental constitutions that currently govern peoples and territories within the United States. These constitutions not only flow from a sovereignty that existed prior to the United States but also came out of a legal movement that asserted its independence from both the U.S. Constitution and state constitutions. This Article tells the story of these constitutions — the constitutions of Native nations.
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Dakota Smith @weatherdak.bsky.social · 29/03/2026
Colorado mountain snow: average year vs. this year. Record low snowpack by a HUGE margin.
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Brad Udall @bradudall.bsky.social · 25/03/2026
This is a graph of snowpack above Lake Powell using 104 snow measuring stations. It was 9 inches of water on March 7, now 6 inches. Other dry years shown.There is no historical analog to this.
Colorado River snowpack evolution since Oct 2025. Melt started about March 7.  Down to 6
Inches now from 9 inches then. There is no historical analog.
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Morgan @cowaternerd.bsky.social · 13/03/2026
Will be interesting to see what a major heat wave does to next month’s projections.
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Morgan @cowaternerd.bsky.social · 11/03/2026
Things in the CO basin just keep heating up. Literally. The year without summer? Try the year without runoff.
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Jonathan Overpeck @greatlakespecktwo.bsky.social · 03/03/2026
Western US snowpack is still looking BAD. Hope for snow, but plan for low river flows and severe wildfire risk.
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E-Something @nullinterface.bsky.social · 05/02/2026
the Colorado River - again refusing to honor the Compact that it's bound to
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Morgan @cowaternerd.bsky.social · 15/02/2026
When thinking of solutions for the CO river basin, the scale of the problem far exceeds what is possible with demand management or in stream flow programs. Instead it seems reasonable to think of/address what the downstream (pun intended) impacts of removing water from the land are and address those
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Morgan @cowaternerd.bsky.social · 15/02/2026
Decommissioning/by-passing Glen Canyon Dam, which directly serves Page, AZ for municipal water (they’ll need a new pipe and we should pay) and is a relic to help upper basin states comply with a compact we made up, is step one. It’s basic triage, and it’s the easy step.
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Morgan @cowaternerd.bsky.social · 14/02/2026
As I keep screaming from the rooftop, construction takes time, and we’re out of time! Things only get worse and worse starting around here 3,510’:
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Zak 🦦 Podmore @zakpodmore.bsky.social · 14/02/2026
They’ve been missing deadlines since 2022. It’s time to end the charade and begin drilling tunnels around the Glen Canyon Dam
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Morgan @cowaternerd.bsky.social · 13/02/2026
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”
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Luke Runyon @lukerunyon.bsky.social · 13/02/2026
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.
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Morgan @cowaternerd.bsky.social · 13/02/2026
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.
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Sammy Roth @sammyroth.bsky.social · 13/02/2026
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...
kjzz.org
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.
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Brent Toderian @brenttoderian.bsky.social · 12/02/2026
“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.
wired.com
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.
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Luke Runyon @lukerunyon.bsky.social · 26/01/2026
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.
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Luke Runyon @lukerunyon.bsky.social · 21/01/2026
As of today we have a new record low snowpack for the Upper Colorado River basin for late January.
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Coyote Gulch @coyotegulch.bsky.social · 11/01/2026
Town council presented with flood recovery funding scenarios after FEMA denies funds -- The #PagosaSprings Sun #SanJuanRiver coyotegulch.blog/2026/01/11/t...
coyotegulch.blog
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…
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Melissa Sevigny @melissasevigny.bsky.social · 24/12/2025
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...
npca.org
Wild River, Ghost Lake
Drought is a crisis for the West. But it has also resurrected a long-lost desert river.
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Morgan @cowaternerd.bsky.social · 16/12/2025
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
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Morgan @cowaternerd.bsky.social · 16/12/2025
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?”
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Luke Runyon @lukerunyon.bsky.social · 13/11/2025
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...
subscriber.politicopro.com
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.
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Morgan @cowaternerd.bsky.social · 13/11/2025
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.
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Ian James @ianjames.bsky.social · 13/11/2025
“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...
invisiblewaters.substack.com
What happened on the Colorado River?
Negotiating around legal uncertainties as climate change takes its toll.
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Daniel Rothberg @danielrothberg.bsky.social · 11/11/2025
“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...
hcn.org
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?
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Morgan @cowaternerd.bsky.social · 31/10/2025
Getting the feeling the states want the feds to take the fall for the inevitable water cuts in both the Upper and Lower Basins.
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Morgan Sjogren @morgansjogren.bsky.social · 24/09/2025
And Glen Canyon lovers won’t want to miss this!
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Morgan @cowaternerd.bsky.social · 12/09/2025
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?
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Morgan @cowaternerd.bsky.social · 15/08/2025
We’ve been closer to minimum probable than mid the last few years. Just sayin’ 👀
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David Ho @davidho.bsky.social · 03/05/2025
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?
usgs.gov
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...
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Melissa Sevigny @melissasevigny.bsky.social · 26/06/2025
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...
upr.org
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.
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Morgan @cowaternerd.bsky.social · 24/06/2025
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.
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Morgan @cowaternerd.bsky.social · 23/05/2025
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.
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Luke Runyon @lukerunyon.bsky.social · 23/05/2025
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.
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Ashok Swain @ashoswai.bsky.social · 09/05/2025
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...
dialogue.earth
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
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Kirsten Kurath @kirstenk63.bsky.social · 22/04/2025
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
tinyurl.com
Executive Director, CMU Ruth Powell Hutchins Water Center
See job ad.
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Mike Dettinger @mdettinger.bsky.social · 18/04/2025
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...
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Morgan @cowaternerd.bsky.social · 08/04/2025
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.
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John Fleck @jfleck.bsky.social · 22/03/2025
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….
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Morgan @cowaternerd.bsky.social · 21/03/2025
Yeesh. www.politico.com/news/2025/03...
politico.com
This is the next border fight — and it’s a stinker
EPA Administrator Lee Zeldin is picking a fight with Mexico over sewage flowing into San Diego.
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Daniel Rothberg @danielrothberg.bsky.social · 12/02/2025
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...
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john-berggren.bsky.social @john-berggren.bsky.social · 10/02/2025
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...
coloradoriverdistrict.org
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.
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Morgan @cowaternerd.bsky.social · 07/02/2025
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.
Graph of snowpack in the San Miguel-Dolores-Animas-San Juan basin as of February 7, 2025. Snowpack is at 65% of median for this date over the last 30 years.
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