https://confluence-west.org/whats-new daily 0.75 2026-03-10 https://confluence-west.org/whats-new/threedropthursday61523-k37j8-bcr9c-bbx6t-r7s35-hpkp8-jcdek-6d43y-3k4ma-sbrmc-t7d9t-7gs24-hca6n-snwcz-xtw49-9zryr-5renh-jc4wp-j9tx8-25k3e-5h4kg-jjd65-c35hs-839yx-pydrc-nwcan-wkxtk monthly 0.5 2026-03-12 https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/5e41f3bb0eacfc13f94698cd/1773165329455-BY21P7ALPF3LC4YCA9SZ/GettyImages-2198403468.jpg What's New - Three Drop - R.I.P. Strategic Planning? - Make it stand out Whatever it is, the way you tell your story online can make all the difference. https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/5e41f3bb0eacfc13f94698cd/77f3ef12-940e-4b59-b146-5239c4cdc98d/prof1-1.jpg What's New - Three Drop - R.I.P. Strategic Planning? - Many excellent NGOs, water utilities, tribes, Nations, communities, and public agencies are working to protect rivers and forests in the American West from the (sometimes overwhelming) challenges posed by climate change. We are proud to partner with many of them. Why support and work with Confluence West? Since 2007, we've learned that long-term, equitable solutions require dedicated and talented people from every sector, issue area, perspective, expertise, and culture to bring their part of the elephant, their truth, to the table. We build and lead projects that connect diverse decision-makers who, in turn, create science- and evidence-based campaigns. Check out our work! Or, email Kimery. https://confluence-west.org/whats-new/threedropthursday61523-k37j8-bcr9c-bbx6t-r7s35-hpkp8-jcdek-6d43y-3k4ma-sbrmc-t7d9t-7gs24-hca6n-snwcz-xtw49-9zryr-5renh-jc4wp-j9tx8-25k3e-5h4kg-jjd65-c35hs-839yx-pydrc-nwcan-7pttz-5yfja-tya4f-pj7yt monthly 0.5 2025-12-28 https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/5e41f3bb0eacfc13f94698cd/1766874533177-JTKFQG2XV523VCSGUBAQ/unsplash-image-QEpaippYWWw.jpg What's New - Why? This is Why. https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/5e41f3bb0eacfc13f94698cd/77f3ef12-940e-4b59-b146-5239c4cdc98d/prof1-1.jpg What's New - Why? This is Why. - New! Kimery office hours - pick your time, and let’s see if we can find a path forward for your climate-driven challenge. Click here for office hours. Many excellent NGOs, water utilities, tribes, Nations, communities, and public agencies are working to protect rivers and forests in the American West from the (sometimes overwhelming) challenges posed by climate change. We are proud to partner with many of them. Why support and work with Confluence West? Since 2007, we've learned that long-term, equitable solutions require dedicated and talented people from every sector, issue area, perspective, expertise, and culture to bring their part of the elephant, their truth, to the table. We build and lead projects that connect diverse decision-makers who, in turn, create science- and evidence-based campaigns. Check out our work! Or, email Kimery. https://confluence-west.org/whats-new/threedropthursday61523-k37j8-bcr9c-bbx6t-r7s35-hpkp8-jcdek-6d43y-3k4ma-sbrmc-t7d9t-7gs24-hca6n-snwcz-xtw49-9zryr-5renh-jc4wp-j9tx8-25k3e-5h4kg-jjd65-c35hs-839yx-pydrc-nwcan-7pttz-5yfja-tya4f monthly 0.5 2025-12-27 https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/5e41f3bb0eacfc13f94698cd/f2dee58d-1701-4d24-81d4-076d535971d0/Holiday+2025.jpg What's New - Tis the Season - Beauty and Silence https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/5e41f3bb0eacfc13f94698cd/77f3ef12-940e-4b59-b146-5239c4cdc98d/prof1-1.jpg What's New - Tis the Season - Beauty and Silence - New! Kimery office hours - pick your time, and let’s see if we can find a path forward for your climate-driven challenge. Click here for office hours. Many excellent NGOs, water utilities, tribes, Nations, communities, and public agencies are working to protect rivers and forests in the American West from the (sometimes overwhelming) challenges posed by climate change. We are proud to partner with many of them. Why support and work with Confluence West? Since 2007, we've learned that long-term, equitable solutions require dedicated and talented people from every sector, issue area, perspective, expertise, and culture to bring their part of the elephant, their truth, to the table. We build and lead projects that connect diverse decision-makers who, in turn, create science- and evidence-based campaigns. Check out our work! Or, email Kimery. https://confluence-west.org/whats-new/threedropthursday61523-k37j8-bcr9c-bbx6t-r7s35-hpkp8-jcdek-6d43y-3k4ma-sbrmc-t7d9t-7gs24-hca6n-snwcz-xtw49-9zryr-5renh-jc4wp-j9tx8-25k3e-5h4kg-jjd65-c35hs-839yx-pydrc-nwcan-7pttz-5yfja monthly 0.5 2025-12-15 https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/5e41f3bb0eacfc13f94698cd/1765400304676-EGGT7XZWW5CF1BKQWCP4/GettyImages-1365370917.jpg What's New - December Water Humor (Much Needed) https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/5e41f3bb0eacfc13f94698cd/e9e5014f-b20e-4158-804e-3726a6b7c4d7/Jsy+Lund+small.jpg What's New - December Water Humor (Much Needed) - Nine California Water Rites “Rite” noun: A. Religious or other solemn ceremony or act. B. Social custom, practice, or conventional act. By Jay Lund https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/5e41f3bb0eacfc13f94698cd/77f3ef12-940e-4b59-b146-5239c4cdc98d/prof1-1.jpg What's New - December Water Humor (Much Needed) - New! Kimery office hours - pick your time, and let’s see if we can find a path forward for your climate-driven challenge. Click here for office hours. Many excellent NGOs, water utilities, tribes, Nations, communities, and public agencies are working to protect rivers and forests in the American West from the (sometimes overwhelming) challenges posed by climate change. We are proud to partner with many of them. Why support and work with Confluence West? Since 2007, we've learned that long-term, equitable solutions require dedicated and talented people from every sector, issue area, perspective, expertise, and culture to bring their part of the elephant, their truth, to the table. We build and lead projects that connect diverse decision-makers who, in turn, create science- and evidence-based campaigns. Check out our work! Or, email Kimery. https://confluence-west.org/whats-new/threedropthursday61523-k37j8-bcr9c-bbx6t-r7s35-hpkp8-jcdek-6d43y-3k4ma-sbrmc-t7d9t-7gs24-hca6n-snwcz-xtw49-9zryr-5renh-jc4wp-j9tx8-25k3e-5h4kg-jjd65-c35hs-839yx-pydrc-nwcan-7pttz monthly 0.5 2025-11-30 https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/5e41f3bb0eacfc13f94698cd/7613a7c7-01d5-4cc9-829c-f095bb25f121/aron_bosworth-8686.jpg What's New - That Was Then - Now It’s This - Make it stand out Photo: Aron Bosworth https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/5e41f3bb0eacfc13f94698cd/77f3ef12-940e-4b59-b146-5239c4cdc98d/prof1-1.jpg What's New - That Was Then - Now It’s This - New! Kimery office hours - pick your time, and let’s see if we can find a path forward for your climate-driven challenge. Click here for office hours. Many excellent NGOs, water utilities, tribes, Nations, communities, and public agencies are working to protect rivers and forests in the American West from the (sometimes overwhelming) challenges posed by climate change. We are proud to partner with many of them. Why support and work with Confluence West? Since 2007, we've learned that long-term, equitable solutions require dedicated and talented people from every sector, issue area, perspective, expertise, and culture to bring their part of the elephant, their truth, to the table. We build and lead projects that connect diverse decision-makers who, in turn, create science- and evidence-based campaigns. Check out our work! Or, email Kimery. https://confluence-west.org/whats-new/threedropthursday61523-k37j8-bcr9c-bbx6t-r7s35-hpkp8-jcdek-6d43y-3k4ma-sbrmc-t7d9t-7gs24-hca6n-snwcz-xtw49-9zryr-5renh-jc4wp-j9tx8-25k3e-5h4kg-jjd65-c35hs-839yx-pydrc-nwcan monthly 0.5 2025-11-07 https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/5e41f3bb0eacfc13f94698cd/970312d6-4719-4ba0-a014-f106f0d5e18d/KW+really+small.jpg What's New - Lost in Translation https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/5e41f3bb0eacfc13f94698cd/b9e091d8-97b4-411a-b897-15054a6a7c22/Charlie+Brown.jpg What's New - Lost in Translation https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/5e41f3bb0eacfc13f94698cd/f66e1dfd-48f8-40b5-88a4-20ba3afcfd9f/Klamath.jpg What's New - Lost in Translation https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/5e41f3bb0eacfc13f94698cd/1750269650572-9105QZ217IU2KNRDFKDU/image-asset.jpeg What's New - Lost in Translation https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/5e41f3bb0eacfc13f94698cd/51522f64-2cd5-4031-9d11-a83dce4e340e/Girl-+Pulse+flow.jpg What's New - Lost in Translation https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/5e41f3bb0eacfc13f94698cd/77f3ef12-940e-4b59-b146-5239c4cdc98d/prof1-1.jpg What's New - Lost in Translation - New! Kimery office hours - pick your time, and let’s see if we can find a path forward for your climate-driven challenge. Click here for office hours. Many excellent NGOs, water utilities, tribes, Nations, communities, and public agencies are working to protect rivers and forests in the American West from the (sometimes overwhelming) challenges posed by climate change. We are proud to partner with many of them. Why support and work with Confluence West? Since 2007, we've learned that long-term, equitable solutions require dedicated and talented people from every sector, issue area, perspective, expertise, and culture to bring their part of the elephant, their truth, to the table. We build and lead projects that connect diverse decision-makers who, in turn, create science- and evidence-based campaigns. Check out our work! Or, email Kimery. https://confluence-west.org/whats-new/threedropthursday61523-k37j8-bcr9c-bbx6t-r7s35-hpkp8-jcdek-6d43y-3k4ma-sbrmc-t7d9t-7gs24-hca6n-snwcz-xtw49-9zryr-5renh-jc4wp-j9tx8-25k3e-5h4kg-jjd65-c35hs-839yx-pydrc monthly 0.5 2025-09-24 https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/5e41f3bb0eacfc13f94698cd/970312d6-4719-4ba0-a014-f106f0d5e18d/KW+really+small.jpg What's New - Really Hard is Not Impossible! https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/5e41f3bb0eacfc13f94698cd/b9e091d8-97b4-411a-b897-15054a6a7c22/Charlie+Brown.jpg What's New - Really Hard is Not Impossible! https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/5e41f3bb0eacfc13f94698cd/f66e1dfd-48f8-40b5-88a4-20ba3afcfd9f/Klamath.jpg What's New - Really Hard is Not Impossible! https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/5e41f3bb0eacfc13f94698cd/1750269650572-9105QZ217IU2KNRDFKDU/image-asset.jpeg What's New - Really Hard is Not Impossible! https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/5e41f3bb0eacfc13f94698cd/51522f64-2cd5-4031-9d11-a83dce4e340e/Girl-+Pulse+flow.jpg What's New - Really Hard is Not Impossible! https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/5e41f3bb0eacfc13f94698cd/77f3ef12-940e-4b59-b146-5239c4cdc98d/prof1-1.jpg What's New - Really Hard is Not Impossible! - New! Kimery office hours - pick your time, and let’s see if we can find a path forward for your climate-driven challenge. Click here for office hours. Many excellent NGOs, water utilities, tribes, Nations, communities, and public agencies are working to protect rivers and forests in the American West from the (sometimes overwhelming) challenges climate change poses. We are proud to partner with many of them. Why support Confluence West? Over the past 17 years, we've learned that Long-term, equitable solutions require dedicated and talented people from every sector, issue area, perspective, expertise, and culture to bring their part of the elephant, their truth, to the table. We build and lead projects that connect diverse decision-makers who, in turn, create science- and evidence-based campaigns. Check out our work! Or, email Kimery. https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/5e41f3bb0eacfc13f94698cd/cc8d0cc3-e1ba-4441-a63d-c247388c0534/WSN.jpg What's New - Really Hard is Not Impossible! - It was just a few short years ago that the idea of creating a cross-boundary, grassroots watershed solutions network in California was only a gleam in Debbie Franco’s eyes. Now the Watershed Solutions Network has grown into a thriving, active, and effective player in California with cohorts up and down the state. The Network is amplifying the voices of indigenous and local communities, alongside many well-known California water players. The Network’s partners are working to expand the understanding of California’s water management field and increase awareness of the diverse perspectives and goals of water stakeholders. The Network participants recognize that collaborative leadership approaches yield the most lasting solutions, and that by equipping water leaders with the skills, knowledge, and networks necessary to support collaboration and coalition-building, California can effectively manage and lead through water extremes, including flooding, drought, and fire. Debbie and the Network are proof positive that really hard is not impossible! https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/5e41f3bb0eacfc13f94698cd/be45a63b-5719-48c5-bdcb-c9427b6f2a7b/TID+solar.jpg What's New - Really Hard is Not Impossible! Although there are many exceptions, water agencies are generally not known for embracing innovative solutions. Solar panels covering water canals have been studied for years, but no agency in California was prepared to take that step. An impressive example of defying 'business as usual’ is the Turlock Irrigation District’s adoption and implementation of California’s (and the second in the US*) first solar-covered canal. Project Nexus, a 1.6-megawatt installation, was fully completed late last month. The $20 million, state-funded pilot has transformed parts of the Turlock Irrigation District’s (TID) canals into hubs of clean electricity generation in a remote area where cotton, tomatoes, almonds, and hundreds of other crops are grown. This project originated from the leadership of the TID’s former General Manager, Michelle Reimer. She and her team successfully convinced the agency’s leadership that this was a worthwhile initiative, and TID secured $20 million from the state of California. https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/5e41f3bb0eacfc13f94698cd/da0e25f3-57c4-4a4e-96df-51a643e4c366/Klamath.jpg What's New - Really Hard is Not Impossible! - If I had told you just a few years ago that the dams would come out on the Klamath, you would have ordered me a straitjacket. Many of you have already seen the video of the Tribal youth paddling the length of the Hehlkeek-\'we-Roy (Klamath) river. Even if you have, watch it again to make your day. https://confluence-west.org/whats-new/threedropthursday61523-k37j8-bcr9c-bbx6t-r7s35-hpkp8-jcdek-6d43y-3k4ma-sbrmc-t7d9t-7gs24-hca6n-snwcz-xtw49-9zryr-5renh-jc4wp-j9tx8-25k3e-5h4kg-jjd65-c35hs monthly 0.5 2025-07-31 https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/5e41f3bb0eacfc13f94698cd/970312d6-4719-4ba0-a014-f106f0d5e18d/KW+really+small.jpg What's New - Happy story, Great summary, Relegated to the bottom https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/5e41f3bb0eacfc13f94698cd/b9e091d8-97b4-411a-b897-15054a6a7c22/Charlie+Brown.jpg What's New - Happy story, Great summary, Relegated to the bottom https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/5e41f3bb0eacfc13f94698cd/f66e1dfd-48f8-40b5-88a4-20ba3afcfd9f/Klamath.jpg What's New - Happy story, Great summary, Relegated to the bottom https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/5e41f3bb0eacfc13f94698cd/1750269650572-9105QZ217IU2KNRDFKDU/image-asset.jpeg What's New - Happy story, Great summary, Relegated to the bottom https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/5e41f3bb0eacfc13f94698cd/51522f64-2cd5-4031-9d11-a83dce4e340e/Girl-+Pulse+flow.jpg What's New - Happy story, Great summary, Relegated to the bottom https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/5e41f3bb0eacfc13f94698cd/77f3ef12-940e-4b59-b146-5239c4cdc98d/prof1-1.jpg What's New - Happy story, Great summary, Relegated to the bottom - New! Kimery office hours - pick your time, and let’s see if we can find a path forward for your climate-driven challenge. Click here for office hours. Many excellent NGOs, water utilities, tribes, Nations, communities, and public agencies are working to protect rivers and forests in the American West from the (sometimes overwhelming) challenges climate change poses. We are proud to partner with many of them. Why support Confluence West? Over the past 17 years, we've learned that Long-term, equitable solutions require dedicated and talented people from every sector, issue area, perspective, expertise, and culture to bring their part of the elephant, their truth, to the table. We build and lead projects that connect diverse decision-makers who, in turn, create science- and evidence-based campaigns. Check out our work! Or, email Kimery. https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/5e41f3bb0eacfc13f94698cd/8ebcad52-f614-4aac-8fee-2e69c5c15eed/Roaring+Fork.jpg What's New - Happy story, Great summary, Relegated to the bottom - Our happy story of the week: a new group that’s started in the Roaring Fork Valley of Colorado, MtnBio, which is raising local funds to fund local climate, sustainability, and water NGOs. They’ve a focus on fun (various events throughout the Valley) and (very smart) their target audience is young(er) people. Co-founder Beth Shoemaker said she finds hope in the number of people and organizations working to address climate change. But in conversations with some other community members, Shoemaker has noticed that many people can disengage when the conversation turns to the environment. She believes some can become “overwhelmed” by the problem — perhaps unaware of the solutions that already exist or are in the works. “I just wanted to bridge that gap. I just felt like there was something there that needed to change.” The Roaring Fork Valley (which includes Aspen) is a well-heeled community - e.g., average home price is $2.7M, but the other two counties have more average COL indexes. For the people who work there, or who have lived there for many years, housing and transportation are huge challenges, which, of course, increase climate emissions. Since 2000, the population in the three counties in the Valley has increased (Pitkin 1.2% , Garfield 9.4%, Eagle 6.8%), along with a big upswing in the number of people over age 75, and a growing Latino population. Like many places in the Mountain West, overall temperatures are rising, and there’s less snowpack. https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/5e41f3bb0eacfc13f94698cd/63d7f5dc-a537-44f5-82ee-82c74de4e7ac/Tribal+youth.jpg What's New - Happy story, Great summary, Relegated to the bottom - For example, did you know that in the Colorado River Basin, 22 of the 29 Tribal nations hold federally recognized rights, accounting for about 20 percent of the basin’s total supply (or roughly 2.9 MAF)? Alice Walker, with the Native American Rights Fund (NARF), wrote a helpful piece Water Rights Settlement Update. Her piece includes background, elements of settlements, current status, key points, and key players. The pending twelve settlements represent completed negotiations among Tribal Nations, the federal government, states, and non-Indian stakeholders, but require congressional authorization to become law and unlock federal funding for infrastructure and implementation. The settlements remain in various stages of the legislative process—some have been introduced as bills and referred to committees but have not yet advanced to the stage where a vote on the bill will occur. Examples of pending settlements include the Tule River Tribe Reserved Water Rights Settlement Act of 2025 (S.689/H.R.8920), which would settle the Tule River Tribe’s claims, and the Northeastern Arizona Indian Water Rights Settlement Act of 2025 (H.R.2025), which would resolve claims for the Navajo Nation, Hopi Tribe, and San Juan Southern Paiute Tribe. Note the symposium coming up next week, August 6, hosted by NARF and the Western States Water Council. (web-based.) Image: InterTribal Youth leadership campaign “Native Like Water”, raising awareness of our indigenous historic relation to water, conservation. https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/5e41f3bb0eacfc13f94698cd/1753897835183-R8AREW7KJYDYYL6SG70S/GettyImages-1571502803.jpg What's New - Happy story, Great summary, Relegated to the bottom - If you’ve made it this far, the two items below at the bottom: First, is your hair on fire yet? For the second, you’ll want to crawl back under the covers (but don’t stay there too long – we’ve got work to do!) First, hair on fire: After months of negotiations (years, really), and the quick demise of a short-lived hopeful possibility, the seven basin states have gone back to their corners. I was hoping there would be a shift in the two weeks since John Fleck posted his July 17 'Return of the Deadpool Diaries': The Colorado River news keeps getting worse. Nope. As John notes: With the latest Bureau of Reclamation model runs highlighting the serious risks posed by the declining reservoir levels that Utah State’s Jack Schmidt has been warning about, there are signs that the closed-room discussions among the seven basin states, after brief glimmers of hope last month, are once again not going well. Our (Old?) Wise Man of the CRB also writes: Whatever “bring it on” enthusiasm for litigation you’re hearing from your groupthinkers needs to be tempered by an honest discussion about what happens to your communities’ water supplies if you lose. Finally, your chance to crawl back under the covers (even if just for a little while), from The New York Times: The West’s Megadrought Might Not Let Up for Decades, Study Suggests. Victoria Todd from the University of Texas, who led the research, notes: That means the drought could last through 2050, possibly even 2100 and beyond — essentially, as she said, for as long as humans continue warming the planet. Then there’s the ongoing moisture deficit in the Southwest since 2000. And population growth, dying species, horrible wildfires, and challenges to water supply - you know, the usual. Once you’ve crawled back out of bed, read about some of the fascinating experiments this science team conducted. https://confluence-west.org/whats-new/threedropthursday61523-k37j8-bcr9c-bbx6t-r7s35-hpkp8-jcdek-6d43y-3k4ma-sbrmc-t7d9t-7gs24-hca6n-snwcz-xtw49-9zryr-5renh-jc4wp-j9tx8-25k3e-5h4kg-jjd65 monthly 0.5 2025-07-17 https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/5e41f3bb0eacfc13f94698cd/970312d6-4719-4ba0-a014-f106f0d5e18d/KW+really+small.jpg What's New - Not funny and Too Funny. Plus, Partnerships Rock! https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/5e41f3bb0eacfc13f94698cd/b9e091d8-97b4-411a-b897-15054a6a7c22/Charlie+Brown.jpg What's New - Not funny and Too Funny. Plus, Partnerships Rock! https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/5e41f3bb0eacfc13f94698cd/f66e1dfd-48f8-40b5-88a4-20ba3afcfd9f/Klamath.jpg What's New - Not funny and Too Funny. Plus, Partnerships Rock! https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/5e41f3bb0eacfc13f94698cd/1750269650572-9105QZ217IU2KNRDFKDU/image-asset.jpeg What's New - Not funny and Too Funny. Plus, Partnerships Rock! https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/5e41f3bb0eacfc13f94698cd/a419f310-48ad-482d-af0d-c376eb73396f/GettyImages-1133350536.jpg What's New - Not funny and Too Funny. Plus, Partnerships Rock! https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/5e41f3bb0eacfc13f94698cd/77f3ef12-940e-4b59-b146-5239c4cdc98d/prof1-1.jpg What's New - Not funny and Too Funny. Plus, Partnerships Rock! - Many excellent NGOs, water utilities, tribes, Nations, communities, and public agencies are working to protect rivers and forests in the American West from the (sometimes overwhelming) challenges climate change poses. We are proud to partner with many of them. Why support Confluence West? Over the past 17 years, we've learned that Long-term, equitable solutions require dedicated and talented people from every sector, issue area, perspective, expertise, and culture to bring their part of the elephant, their truth, to the table. We build and lead projects that connect diverse decision-makers who, in turn, create science- and evidence-based campaigns. Check out our work! Or, email Kimery. https://confluence-west.org/whats-new/threedropthursday61523-k37j8-bcr9c-bbx6t-r7s35-hpkp8-jcdek-6d43y-3k4ma-sbrmc-t7d9t-7gs24-hca6n-snwcz-xtw49-9zryr-5renh-jc4wp-j9tx8-25k3e-5h4kg-fjyew monthly 0.5 2025-06-23 https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/5e41f3bb0eacfc13f94698cd/970312d6-4719-4ba0-a014-f106f0d5e18d/KW+really+small.jpg What's New - Like to drink water? Raft, fish, et al? Do this - soon! https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/5e41f3bb0eacfc13f94698cd/b9e091d8-97b4-411a-b897-15054a6a7c22/Charlie+Brown.jpg What's New - Like to drink water? Raft, fish, et al? Do this - soon! https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/5e41f3bb0eacfc13f94698cd/f66e1dfd-48f8-40b5-88a4-20ba3afcfd9f/Klamath.jpg What's New - Like to drink water? Raft, fish, et al? Do this - soon! https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/5e41f3bb0eacfc13f94698cd/1750269650572-9105QZ217IU2KNRDFKDU/image-asset.jpeg What's New - Like to drink water? Raft, fish, et al? Do this - soon! https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/5e41f3bb0eacfc13f94698cd/a419f310-48ad-482d-af0d-c376eb73396f/GettyImages-1133350536.jpg What's New - Like to drink water? Raft, fish, et al? Do this - soon! https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/5e41f3bb0eacfc13f94698cd/77f3ef12-940e-4b59-b146-5239c4cdc98d/prof1-1.jpg What's New - Like to drink water? Raft, fish, et al? Do this - soon! - Many excellent NGOs, water utilities, tribes, Nations, communities, and public agencies are working to protect rivers and forests in the American West from the (sometimes overwhelming) challenges climate change poses. We are proud to partner with many of them. Why support Confluence West? Over the past 17 years, we've learned that Long-term, equitable solutions require dedicated and talented people from every sector, issue area, perspective, expertise, and culture to bring their part of the elephant, their truth, to the table. We build and lead projects that connect diverse decision-makers who, in turn, create science- and evidence-based campaigns. Check out our work! Or, email Kimery. https://confluence-west.org/whats-new/threedropthursday61523-k37j8-bcr9c-bbx6t-r7s35-hpkp8-jcdek-6d43y-3k4ma-sbrmc-t7d9t-7gs24-hca6n-snwcz-xtw49-9zryr-5renh-jc4wp-j9tx8-25k3e-5h4kg monthly 0.5 2025-06-18 https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/5e41f3bb0eacfc13f94698cd/970312d6-4719-4ba0-a014-f106f0d5e18d/KW+really+small.jpg What's New - Encouraging news? Never thought I’d say this https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/5e41f3bb0eacfc13f94698cd/b9e091d8-97b4-411a-b897-15054a6a7c22/Charlie+Brown.jpg What's New - Encouraging news? Never thought I’d say this https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/5e41f3bb0eacfc13f94698cd/f66e1dfd-48f8-40b5-88a4-20ba3afcfd9f/Klamath.jpg What's New - Encouraging news? Never thought I’d say this https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/5e41f3bb0eacfc13f94698cd/1750269650572-9105QZ217IU2KNRDFKDU/image-asset.jpeg What's New - Encouraging news? Never thought I’d say this https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/5e41f3bb0eacfc13f94698cd/a419f310-48ad-482d-af0d-c376eb73396f/GettyImages-1133350536.jpg What's New - Encouraging news? Never thought I’d say this https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/5e41f3bb0eacfc13f94698cd/77f3ef12-940e-4b59-b146-5239c4cdc98d/prof1-1.jpg What's New - Encouraging news? Never thought I’d say this - Many excellent NGOs, water utilities, tribes, Nations, communities, and public agencies are working to protect rivers and forests in the American West from the (sometimes overwhelming) challenges climate change poses. We are proud to partner with many of them. Why support Confluence West? Over the past 17 years, we've learned that Long-term, equitable solutions require dedicated and talented people from every sector, issue area, perspective, expertise, and culture to bring their part of the elephant, their truth, to the table. We build and lead projects that connect diverse decision-makers who, in turn, create science- and evidence-based campaigns. Check out our work! Or, email Kimery. https://confluence-west.org/whats-new/threedropthursday61523-k37j8-bcr9c-bbx6t-r7s35-hpkp8-jcdek-6d43y-3k4ma-sbrmc-t7d9t-7gs24-hca6n-snwcz-xtw49-9zryr-5renh-jc4wp-j9tx8-25k3e monthly 0.5 2025-05-08 https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/5e41f3bb0eacfc13f94698cd/1733345496976-93NTJOJQT92EN25NHU2X/GettyImages-1133350536.jpg What's New - Teetering on the Edge - Make it stand out Whatever it is, the way you tell your story online can make all the difference. https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/5e41f3bb0eacfc13f94698cd/77f3ef12-940e-4b59-b146-5239c4cdc98d/prof1-1.jpg What's New - Teetering on the Edge - Many excellent NGOs, water utilities, tribes, Nations, communities, and public agencies are working to protect rivers and forests in the American West from the (sometimes overwhelming) challenges climate change poses. We are proud to partner with many of them. Why support Confluence West? Over the past 17 years, we've learned that Long-term, equitable solutions require dedicated and talented people from every sector, issue area, perspective, expertise, and culture to bring their part of the elephant, their truth, to the table. We build and lead projects that connect diverse decision-makers who, in turn, create science- and evidence-based campaigns. Check out our work! Or, email Kimery. https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/5e41f3bb0eacfc13f94698cd/6bf1c3c6-e9f8-4c0f-884b-c67fba0dae15/cloud2..jpg What's New - Teetering on the Edge - ]The rumor mill has been busy, but since there’s no Department of Interior Undersecretary (that will change soon), and because the states are meeting behind closed doors (only state representatives at the table), we peons on the outside know nothing for certain. Two current rumors: The DOI has given the Basin states some time (don’t know exactly) between the end of May and mid-June to reach an agreement. The last (maybe?) states’ negotiating meeting is… June 10? We know that a lot of saber-rattling is happening, but does that mean lawsuits? Since it’s a compact between states, any case would go directly to the Supremes. https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/5e41f3bb0eacfc13f94698cd/26ddcba5-0112-410c-9dd6-dea5c71f8232/Boulder.jpg What's New - Teetering on the Edge - For more fun, make sure to attend the Getches-Wilkinson Annual Colorado River conference next month! If you haven’t attended, this is the place to hear from some really smart people with different perspectives, and to corner the person you’ve always wanted to talk with in the hall, or, depending on gender, in the bathroom. Pro tip: Bring your lunch or grab a few people and go out. The cafeteria food is … college cafeteria food. If you have attended in the past, you know what I’m talking about (including the pro tip.) https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/5e41f3bb0eacfc13f94698cd/d48383b6-45f7-447a-b605-4016f3e9efc1/Boring+2.jpg What's New - Teetering on the Edge - While we typically highlight only three items (it is THREE Drop Thursday, many people's lives are somewhat grim right now, so we could all use a little more Jay Lund humor – How to give a profoundly boring technical talk. https://confluence-west.org/whats-new/threedropthursday61523-k37j8-bcr9c-bbx6t-r7s35-hpkp8-jcdek-6d43y-3k4ma-sbrmc-t7d9t-7gs24-hca6n-snwcz-xtw49-9zryr-5renh-jc4wp-j9tx8 monthly 0.5 2025-04-02 https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/5e41f3bb0eacfc13f94698cd/1733345496976-93NTJOJQT92EN25NHU2X/GettyImages-1133350536.jpg What's New - Good News (for once!) + Jay Lund Humor + Time for Boulder - Make it stand out Whatever it is, the way you tell your story online can make all the difference. https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/5e41f3bb0eacfc13f94698cd/77f3ef12-940e-4b59-b146-5239c4cdc98d/prof1-1.jpg What's New - Good News (for once!) + Jay Lund Humor + Time for Boulder - Many excellent NGOs, water utilities, tribes, Nations, communities, and public agencies are working to protect rivers and forests in the American West from the (sometimes overwhelming) challenges climate change poses. We are proud to partner with many of them. Why support Confluence West? Over the past 17 years, we've learned that Long-term, equitable solutions require dedicated and talented people from every sector, issue area, perspective, expertise, and culture to bring their part of the elephant, their truth, to the table. We build and lead projects that connect diverse decision-makers who, in turn, create science- and evidence-based campaigns. Check out our work! Or, email Kimery. https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/5e41f3bb0eacfc13f94698cd/5d9ae8da-a8b2-49c0-a834-027fad075a5f/Flagstaff.jpg What's New - Good News (for once!) + Jay Lund Humor + Time for Boulder - Make it stand out Whatever it is, the way you tell your story online can make all the difference. https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/5e41f3bb0eacfc13f94698cd/1a8189da-1c33-42a1-bf0c-2a1184f72fd5/Water+glass+2.jpg What's New - Good News (for once!) + Jay Lund Humor + Time for Boulder https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/5e41f3bb0eacfc13f94698cd/d6c2f2da-dace-4c06-95b8-9687d002a67d/Boulder.jpg What's New - Good News (for once!) + Jay Lund Humor + Time for Boulder - Make it stand out Whatever it is, the way you tell your story online can make all the difference. https://confluence-west.org/whats-new/threedropthursday61523-k37j8-bcr9c-bbx6t-r7s35-hpkp8-jcdek-6d43y-3k4ma-sbrmc-t7d9t-7gs24-hca6n-snwcz-xtw49-9zryr-5renh-jc4wp monthly 0.5 2025-02-27 https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/5e41f3bb0eacfc13f94698cd/1733345496976-93NTJOJQT92EN25NHU2X/GettyImages-1133350536.jpg What's New - Dropping Shoes & Political Vacuums - Make it stand out Whatever it is, the way you tell your story online can make all the difference. https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/5e41f3bb0eacfc13f94698cd/77f3ef12-940e-4b59-b146-5239c4cdc98d/prof1-1.jpg What's New - Dropping Shoes & Political Vacuums - Many excellent NGOs, water utilities, tribes, Nations, communities, and public agencies are working to protect rivers and forests in the American West from climate change's (sometimes overwhelming) challenges. We are proud to partner with many of them. Why support Confluence West? What we’ve learned over the past 17 years is this: Long-term, equitable solutions require all of the terrific, dedicated people from every sector, issue area, perspective, expertise, and culture to bring their part of the elephant, their truth, to the table. We build and lead projects that connect diverse decision-makers who, in turn, create science- and evidence-based campaigns. Check out our work! Or, email Kimery. https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/5e41f3bb0eacfc13f94698cd/21f28678-9dec-421f-b084-c9191737e0ff/CRB+Hope.jpg What's New - Dropping Shoes & Political Vacuums - At Confluence West, we are working to build an effective and diverse coalition of Colorado River users and decision-makers. This leadership group will explore how to: Establish a robust, basin-wide stakeholder campaign that advocates for increased funding and ecosystem protections. Ensure the recognition of the Tribes’ water rights in the Colorado River Basin (along with actual water implementation.) Create a more transparent decision-making process for the Colorado River Basin. We don’t want to walk down the same street and fall into the same hole. Contact us if you’d like to learn more about this evolving, diverse stakeholder coalition we and our experienced CRB colleagues want to build. Photo: Glen Canyon Institute https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/5e41f3bb0eacfc13f94698cd/b9e091d8-97b4-411a-b897-15054a6a7c22/Charlie+Brown.jpg What's New - Dropping Shoes & Political Vacuums - We all know the saying that nature (and people) become uncomfortable with vacuums and strive to fill them. There’s a significant political, leadership, and decision-making vacuum in the Colorado River Basin. Here's a quick snapshot: The Upper Basin and Lower Basin states remain at odds (the individual states will likely tussle as well, but only after the UB and LB find some common ground.) Many states are tiptoeing towards litigation - some openly, others quietly. (Please, water gods - not the Supreme Court.) The IRA funding (about $2B spent, about $2B left to go) for fallowing, stream restoration, water conservation projects, etc., is on hold. In January, there was a decent snowpack in the Upper Basin about 85% of normal. (With the spring runoff, there will be more water and withdrawals.) At the end of last month, Lake Mead was 36 percent full or 64 percent empty. As of Monday, Powell was at 3,563; 136FT below full pool (Powell is starting to get lots of snowmelt runoff.) Last year, we also saw a good snowpack, but late in the snow season, there was a significant warm-up in the higher elevations, leading to flashy runoff and not nearly the amount hoped for downstream. Many Colorado River Basin agencies are simply trying to keep a low profile and avoid attracting attention from the new Administration. This includes the 40 CRB Tribes - most of their water (about 20% or 2.9MAF) remains unadjudicated. https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/5e41f3bb0eacfc13f94698cd/836d1ff0-e820-4772-a715-f1f2866a9416/Online.jpg What's New - Dropping Shoes & Political Vacuums - The Climate Science Legal Defense Fund recently published A Pocket Guide for Scientists: Safeguarding Online Communications. The Fund points out that emails sent to and from scientists increasingly face scrutiny through various means, including aggressive open records requests, subpoenas, and even hacking. Not just scientists - many of you reading this should also pay attention. https://confluence-west.org/whats-new/threedropthursday61523-k37j8-bcr9c-bbx6t-r7s35-hpkp8-jcdek-6d43y-3k4ma-sbrmc-t7d9t-7gs24-hca6n-snwcz-xtw49-9zryr-5renh-2xca2 monthly 0.5 2024-12-10 https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/5e41f3bb0eacfc13f94698cd/f77af602-0c7d-4cf2-b0cc-ac6ce691f93c/Elephant.jpg What's New - Why Confluence West? - Make it stand out Whatever it is, the way you tell your story online can make all the difference. https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/5e41f3bb0eacfc13f94698cd/77f3ef12-940e-4b59-b146-5239c4cdc98d/prof1-1.jpg What's New - Why Confluence West? - Why support Confluence West? What we’ve learned over the past 17 years is this: Long-term, equitable solutions require all of the terrific, dedicated people from every sector, issue area, perspective, expertise, and culture to bring their part of the elephant, their truth, to the table. We build and lead projects that connect diverse decision-makers who, in turn, create science- and evidence-based campaigns. Check out our work! Or, email Kimery. Please support the work! https://confluence-west.org/whats-new/threedropthursday61523-k37j8-bcr9c-bbx6t-r7s35-hpkp8-jcdek-6d43y-3k4ma-sbrmc-t7d9t-7gs24-hca6n-snwcz-xtw49-9zryr-5renh monthly 0.5 2024-12-05 https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/5e41f3bb0eacfc13f94698cd/1733345496976-93NTJOJQT92EN25NHU2X/GettyImages-1133350536.jpg What's New - Three Drop Thursday: Lurching towards the cliff edge - Make it stand out Whatever it is, the way you tell your story online can make all the difference. https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/5e41f3bb0eacfc13f94698cd/77f3ef12-940e-4b59-b146-5239c4cdc98d/prof1-1.jpg What's New - Three Drop Thursday: Lurching towards the cliff edge - Many excellent NGOs, water utilities, tribes, Nations, communities and public agencies are working to protect rivers and forests in the American West from climate change's (sometimes overwhelming) challenges. We are proud to partner with many of them. Why support Confluence West? What we’ve learned over the past 17 years is this: Long-term, equitable solutions require all of the terrific, dedicated people from every sector, issue area, perspective, expertise, and culture to bring their part of the elephant, their truth, to the table. We build and lead projects that connect diverse decision-makers who, in turn, create science- and evidence-based campaigns. Check out our work! Or, email Kimery. Please support the work! https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/5e41f3bb0eacfc13f94698cd/bbbc500a-6510-4094-ac06-687c5fc50db2/unsplash-image-VyD_UzTDm9o.jpg What's New - Three Drop Thursday: Lurching towards the cliff edge - Allen Best’s recent excellent piece, “Colorado River Compact curtailment,” provides insights into the Upper Basin’s ongoing finger-pointing at the Lower Basin: “It’s all your problem!” As many CRB mavens have pointed out, the Upper Basin’s position is a negotiating stance. Still, the question remains – what happens when all hell breaks loose (i.e., another maga-drought), and the Upper Basin (Colorado, Wyoming, Utah, New Mexico) is caught flat-footed without a curtailment plan? We’d probably have a few months’ notice of a mega-drought – one that could easily last for a decade or decades. As the senior staff with The Nature Conservancy and lead for the CRB, Taylor Hawes points out: “The first rule you learn in working with water is that users want certainty. We do planning in every aspect of our lives, and planning is typically considered smart. It need not be scary. We have all learned to plan for the worst and hope for the best.” The West Slope, the Front Range municipalities, and a lot of Colorado ag have junior rights. (Quick Quiz: What CRB entity is senior, with the single largest allocation?) https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/5e41f3bb0eacfc13f94698cd/b9e091d8-97b4-411a-b897-15054a6a7c22/Charlie+Brown.jpg What's New - Three Drop Thursday: Lurching towards the cliff edge - Last month, Arizona and California shot a ‘water bottle’ across the Basin. Shannon Mullane’s insightful piece in the Colorado Sun, “Arizona, California push study of century-old policy that’d force cuts on the upper Colorado River states,” presents a fascinating new facet to the Basin negotiations. These two Lower Basin states point out that, under the rules of the 1922 Colorado River, the Upper Basin states could be forced via a “compact call” to cut about twice as much water compared to the basin-wide cutbacks proposed by California, Arizona, and Nevada last March. These Lower Basin states want Reclamation to include in the current Draft EIS study an analysis of the impacts of a compact call. This century-old legal concept raises the prospect of forced water cuts in the Upper Basin states if inter-basin water-sharing obligations aren’t met. The details of how a compact call would work are unclear — it has never been enforced since it was first introduced in the 1922 Colorado River Compact. For a mailed fist wrapped in political language, JB Hamby (the lead negotiator for California) points out that the risk of a compact call is far from hypothetical and has long been the elephant in the room. (Climate change, anyone?) https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/5e41f3bb0eacfc13f94698cd/8d86e9e9-2eba-4bcc-ae50-f3b13fe8bb1d/Picture1.jpg What's New - Three Drop Thursday: Lurching towards the cliff edge - In a recent Inkstain post, John Fleck nicely sums up the current CRB evolving muddled disarray: “I’ve been holed up for the last six weeks in a third-floor garret (metaphor alert) doing the final revisions on the book, which is a full brain activity. “I haven’t been paying much attention to the world around me, and I came down to the corner bodega (metaphor) to get some bread and cheese and ask the newsboy what’s been happening. He pointed me to Tony Davis’s story from the Tucson Star last week.* “What the actual fuck, y’all? Is this the best you can do? “The network is failing. Yeah, I’m talking to you. You are failing us. There are 40 million of us, and we have to figure out how to share this river. "I am so profoundly disappointed in Colorado River Basin leadership right now. “Will I lose blog readership if I say “fuck” again?” “F” bombs work for me. (take ‘em to a bar …) https://confluence-west.org/whats-new/threedropthursday61523-k37j8-bcr9c-bbx6t-r7s35-hpkp8-jcdek-6d43y-3k4ma-sbrmc-t7d9t-7gs24-hca6n-snwcz-xtw49 monthly 0.5 2024-10-23 https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/5e41f3bb0eacfc13f94698cd/1725565622817-DA08YNVWJZP8IZGMSLNR/GettyImages-1133350536.jpg What's New - Three Drop Thursday: Bingo Cards & Conundrums - Make it stand out Whatever it is, the way you tell your story online can make all the difference. https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/5e41f3bb0eacfc13f94698cd/77f3ef12-940e-4b59-b146-5239c4cdc98d/prof1-1.jpg What's New - Three Drop Thursday: Bingo Cards & Conundrums - Looking to protect a critical watershed? With 20+ years of experience, we develop tailored strategies for water utilities, communities, funders, and NGOs. Let us help you navigate watershed protection. Get in touch for your complimentary 30-minute conversation. Email Kimery! https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/5e41f3bb0eacfc13f94698cd/45f23268-9ba0-445a-ae6c-199272c2f47a/Picture1.jpg What's New - Three Drop Thursday: Bingo Cards & Conundrums - After many years of lawsuits, Denver Water is expanding one of its critical facilities, Gross Reservoir, above Boulder. This month, a lawsuit finally stuck: The United States District Court ruled, stating the reservoir expansion violates NEPA and the CWA. The court also pointed the finger at the permitting agency for Gross Reservoir, the Army Corps, for not factoring in climate change and the Colorado River Compact rules. In a severe drought, Denver Water wouldn’t have any water from the surrounding streams and diversions from the West Slope to put into the reservoir. In part of its ruling, the court said: “To the extent Denver Water disagrees, it has only itself to blame — because Denver Water chose to proceed with construction despite the obvious risk posed by pending federal litigation.” An excellent piece in the Aspen Times from last December summarizes the Front Range cities that, like Denver Water, hold junior water rights for Colorado River Basin water. i.e., if and when a highly probable long-term drought hits the fan, those cities will take cuts. I have a pretty extensive western water and climate change bingo card, but this court ruling wasn’t on it. https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/5e41f3bb0eacfc13f94698cd/ee47bcf0-3704-42cc-892d-daed351a3ddf/Salton+Sea.jpg What's New - Three Drop Thursday: Bingo Cards & Conundrums - Imperial Irrigation District (IID), the single largest user of Colorado River water, is using less water. This good. This is commendable. But then, another shoe continues its slow drop – the shrinking Salton Sea. Ian James’ excellent piece “As California farms use less water, worries grow over shrinking Salton Sea” points out that as less IID water comes off the fields, the more dry lake bed is exposed, leading to lung-damaging dust and making the water too salty for migrating birds. The State of California is years behind in building extensive wetlands on the shores. The Sierra Club and others have sued to block IID’s conservation program for the Sea, saying it’s too little, too late. The Biden Administration has pledged $250 million in IRA funds to expand Salton Sea Projects. California has just authorized the formation of a Salton Sea Conservancy (which hopefully will be more effective than the state’s last project). Another very gnarly climate change conundrum requires, first and foremost, diverse leadership rolling up their sleeves to find solutions and a heck of a lot more funding. https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/5e41f3bb0eacfc13f94698cd/81f4d703-58fd-4201-8c0f-030c8ceb7453/Alfalfa+AZ.jpg What's New - Three Drop Thursday: Bingo Cards & Conundrums - John Fleck’s recent post summarizes the “bad boy” of the Colorado River Basin agriculture – alfalfa. In a nutshell (these are USDA numbers) New Mexico’s production is trending down; California’s is way down; Colorado’s is up and down; Arizona’s is scarily climbing. (Dear AZ - do you know something about water supply the rest of us don’t know?) https://confluence-west.org/whats-new/threedropthursday61523-k37j8-bcr9c-bbx6t-r7s35-hpkp8-jcdek-6d43y-3k4ma-sbrmc-t7d9t-7gs24-hca6n-snwcz monthly 0.5 2024-10-02 https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/5e41f3bb0eacfc13f94698cd/1725565622817-DA08YNVWJZP8IZGMSLNR/GettyImages-1133350536.jpg What's New - Playing Chicken on the CRB and other stuff - Make it stand out Whatever it is, the way you tell your story online can make all the difference. https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/5e41f3bb0eacfc13f94698cd/29192fc6-fc33-416c-b323-5e61a2063c84/prof1-1.jpg What's New - Playing Chicken on the CRB and other stuff - Looking to protect a critical watershed? With 20+ years of experience, we develop tailored strategies for water utilities, communities, funders, and NGOs. Let us help you navigate watershed protection. Get in touch! Email Kimery! https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/5e41f3bb0eacfc13f94698cd/1727801225298-X55D0ESB7AX21WUT3IAD/image-asset.jpeg What's New - Playing Chicken on the CRB and other stuff - John Fleck’s blogs are usually encouraging, but this most recent one is not (though in the same post, John manages to riff on the Beatles' Rubber Soul album). Remember the game of chicken theory? Two drivers are speeding towards each other on a collision course. Do they serve, stop, or crash? The authors of the “chicken” theory note: Without foresight into game changes over time, players are blind to the fact that they are in a game of chicken. We model agents with foresight by interconnecting games across time and show how this creates opportunities for“strategic loss” early on, allowing players with foresight to reduce total costs. High future costs can thus be avoided with foresight if the rising costs of inaction are made apparent. John comments: “The Upper Basin seems to have convinced itself, at least based on public pronouncements, that it has a winning legal argument in terms of its obligation, or lack thereof, to send water downstream past Lee Ferry.” He adds: “Once deliveries past Lee Ferry drop below one of the "tripwire" triggers (82.5maf / ten years or 75/10), the Lower Basin states have nothing to lose by suing.” Many of the CRB decision-makers don’t (despite rhetoric claiming otherwise) understand how inaction will bring enormous consequences (probably some we can't even imagine right now. https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/5e41f3bb0eacfc13f94698cd/1663869844949-9PLNW27XL6GXZQDV8QZG/Salt+Lake+City.jpg What's New - Playing Chicken on the CRB and other stuff - It’s good to see Luke Runyon back in the CRB saddle for the Colorado Sun. His recent piece is, Cities in the West are booming. But will they actually need a lot more water? He points out that collectively, western cities that rely on CRB water have grown 25% from 2000 to 2020, but that water usage has dropped by 18%, with per-person rates down by 30% (i.e., ag vs urban usage.) It's definitely a conservation success story. But as Runyon asks, thanks to a rapidly changing climate on the CRB, is there a floor to how much conservation will continue to work? The western water managers we work with are asking a similar question: Is there a conservation savings bottom, and if so, how will you know when you get there? How much new supply (DPR, IPR, desal, etc.) will be needed—and when? https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/5e41f3bb0eacfc13f94698cd/1727801450468-88ZF4H8ZJSAC1FNF3Y3H/unsplash-image-_RKuuBDYpF0.jpg What's New - Playing Chicken on the CRB and other stuff - Zak Podmore’s piece, Glen Canyon Dam faces Dead Pool, popped our eyes open with this fun factoid: Even at Dead Pool, Powell would still stretch 100 miles upstream – a basic design flaw of no ‘plug’ in the system. Right now, Reclamation is madly working on modifications, including how to drill tunnels at or near the river level to allow Powell to empty. Zak adds: “Allowing the Colorado River to flow freely through Glen Canyon was a radical idea in the 1990s, but the opposite is true today. Climate change and steady water demand in the Southwest have shown us that the Glen Canyon Dam, instead of being a boon to water users, is part of the problem.” Zak ends his piece with this: “The extremists today are those who deny climate change, assuming that Lake Powell will refill again soon. In a rapidly warming world, business as usual should be treated as the fringe position.” For years, I’ve been in the “Keep Glen Canyon Dam” camp – Mead is at a lower elevation, and climate change is accelerating, so the evaporation levels would be higher. I’m clueless about what to do with Glen’s hydro production, but I know smarter minds are working on that. All that said, climate change likely leaves us with no choice – can we plan accordingly? https://confluence-west.org/whats-new/threedropthursday61523-k37j8-bcr9c-bbx6t-r7s35-hpkp8-jcdek-6d43y-3k4ma-sbrmc-t7d9t-7gs24-hca6n monthly 0.5 2024-09-18 https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/5e41f3bb0eacfc13f94698cd/1725565622817-DA08YNVWJZP8IZGMSLNR/GettyImages-1133350536.jpg What's New - Money, Money, Money: Part 2 - Make it stand out Whatever it is, the way you tell your story online can make all the difference. https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/5e41f3bb0eacfc13f94698cd/29192fc6-fc33-416c-b323-5e61a2063c84/prof1-1.jpg What's New - Money, Money, Money: Part 2 - Does your organization need to figure out the best next steps to protect a critical watershed? With our 20+ years of experience working on climate, water supply, and forest restoration with water utilities, communities, funders, and NGOs, we can help. Please be in touch! Email Kimery! https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/5e41f3bb0eacfc13f94698cd/1057d180-6c13-48e8-9169-1e905dfb5b8d/Butte+Creek.jpg What's New - Money, Money, Money: Part 2 - The ‘Big Kahuna,’ aka the Metropolitan Water District of Southern California, has finally crossed the Rubicon - $200K a year for two years for restoration programs in the headwaters of the State Water Project. These watersheds are the source of about 30% of the water in the State Water Project. They are also the source of some of the worst recent wildfires in California. For decades, the downstream big water agencies (ag and muni) have operated on the assumption that water supply is sourced at the big dams. Thanks to the determined – and smart - work of many organizations (e.g., Blue Water Forest, Yuba Water Agency, and the Sierra Nevada Conservancy, among others), the big downstream agencies are starting to pay attention. A total of $400K isn’t going to set records, but it’s a great step in the right direction. As the Met’s Acting GM said: “If these restoration programs demonstrate that they significantly improve water supply and water quality, it opens the door to working with other large water agencies across the state to make these investments in watershed health on a much broader scale.” From his lips to any-gods-who-are-listening ears and, kudos Jen Nevills at the Met and her colleagues! https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/5e41f3bb0eacfc13f94698cd/f7364a10-afa3-498f-bd0e-80d2403dd732/Ruby+Valley.jpg What's New - Money, Money, Money: Part 2 - The Nicholas Institute at Duke University has been tracking and assessing case studies on mechanisms used to finance nature-based solutions. One of their recent posts caught our eye: Through the Climate Pollution Reduction Grants (CPRG) program, the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) recently awarded $421 million to a multistate, nonprofit coalition in the mid-Atlantic to fund NBS projects that reduce carbon emissions and make communities more resilient to natural hazards. Additional multimillion-dollar CPRG grants are going toward other nature-based solutions, including urban forestry, habitat restoration, brownfield remediation, climate-smart agriculture, natural wildfire mitigation, and urban green infrastructure. As Sara Mason, one of the lead authors, notes, a critical question remains: How can private capital be leveraged to scale up the impact of these types of public investments? https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/5e41f3bb0eacfc13f94698cd/405db78c-301f-4314-b559-19ea7b4d509e/Klamath.jpg What's New - Money, Money, Money: Part 2 - If you have seen it (or even if you already have), this film on Amy Bowers Cordalis and the campaign to decommission the four Klamath Dams will make your day. Our gratitude (and standing ovation) to Amy for her leadership, and to Swiftwater Films and Patagonia. Enjoy! https://confluence-west.org/whats-new/threedropthursday61523-k37j8-bcr9c-bbx6t-r7s35-hpkp8-jcdek-6d43y-3k4ma-sbrmc-t7d9t-7gs24 monthly 0.5 2024-09-05 https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/5e41f3bb0eacfc13f94698cd/1725565622817-DA08YNVWJZP8IZGMSLNR/GettyImages-1133350536.jpg What's New - Money, Money, Money: Making the Case - Make it stand out Whatever it is, the way you tell your story online can make all the difference. https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/5e41f3bb0eacfc13f94698cd/29192fc6-fc33-416c-b323-5e61a2063c84/prof1-1.jpg What's New - Money, Money, Money: Making the Case - Does your organization need to determine the best next steps to protect a critical watershed? With our 20+ years of experience working on climate, water supply, and forest restoration with water utilities, communities, funders, and NGOs, we can help. Please be in touch! Email Kimery! https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/5e41f3bb0eacfc13f94698cd/266ff771-5d7c-4178-adda-0d8585fe2b32/Twisp+wildfire.jpg What's New - Money, Money, Money: Making the Case - The Ecological Restoration Institute’s Estimating the Return on Investment from Restoration and Fuel Treatment in US Wester Frequent-Fire Forests study is a meta-analysis – a literature review of forest restoration benefit types for the Western United States. The researchers created a “collective basket” of restoration benefits to illustrate the ROI. The bottom line is that for every dollar invested in high-risk, high-value forested watersheds, over seven dollars in benefits may be returned to investors. They further add that the other unique values have not been economically quantified and aren’t included in the meta-analysis. https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/5e41f3bb0eacfc13f94698cd/1725390631098-FHUIEMWFTVBIR8H34K5R/unsplash-image-o8_QHvCDuzE.jpg What's New - Money, Money, Money: Making the Case - This study, The Headwaters Valuation as a Tool for Economic Development, Healthy Forest Management, and Water Resilience, looks at the Upper American River watershed in California, a high-value water source for the state. The study’s authors took a somewhat unusual approach, assessing 18 EGS categories supplemented by locally available data. The findings: The natural capital asset in this watershed has a net value of $14.8 billion annually. This watershed provides 23 categories of valuable ecosystem goods and services. Food, water supply, water quality, climate stability, waste treatment, wildlife habitat, and recreation are some of these EGS. One of my favorite things about this study is that it was partially funded by and co-authored by staff at the El Dorado Water Agency. This agency is at the top of the watershed with thousands of acres of forested lands that have already burned or are overdue to burn. https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/5e41f3bb0eacfc13f94698cd/f206aa04-79f7-4e27-a9c3-05d764354c6f/Hands+together.jpg What's New - Money, Money, Money: Making the Case - These days, any Three Drop Thursday always mentions that vast, interconnected black-hole mess that is the current CRB negotiations. For some time, a number of us have been calling for some new entity that looks like, for example, the Great Lakes Compact. Why? An expanded decision-making table will help ensure supply equity and can effectively make the case for long-term state and federal funding. The authors, John Berggren, Western Resources Advocates, and Lorelei Cloud, Vice-Chair of the Southern Ute Indian Reservation of the Time is Now for a New Colorado River Basin Process, are two highly respected and engaged players in the CRB. Their piece calls for establishing a whole-basin roundtable to embrace the entire transboundary watershed to provide an equitable process to engage all four sovereigns (US, Mexico, Basin states, and 30 Tribal nations), water users, and stakeholders. In other words, those with skin in the game need to be at a decision-making table. Overall, it’s been generally radio silence from both the Lower and Upper Basin on any steps towards a joint strategy. Reclamation issues the Draft EIS this December, at which point things will become quite interesting. https://confluence-west.org/whats-new/threedropthursday61523-k37j8-bcr9c-bbx6t-r7s35-hpkp8-jcdek-6d43y-3k4ma-sbrmc monthly 0.5 2024-04-25 https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/5e41f3bb0eacfc13f94698cd/d232b17b-f755-4909-a5c9-dbc111d957e2/Stream.jpg What's New - Big or small - everybody’s doing it - Make it stand out Whatever it is, the way you tell your story online can make all the difference. https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/5e41f3bb0eacfc13f94698cd/1713988688134-QQY9KODVBKLANG72R2LA/image-asset.jpeg What's New - Big or small - everybody’s doing it - This month, the ‘Big Kahuna,’ the Metropolitan Water District, (19M customers) announced it is raising rates, doubling the current rate. A small municipal water agency, the Marin Municipal Water District (191,000 customers), also recently raised rates by a whopping amount. Many agencies have, or are considering, a fixed rate stabilization fee. For example, the City of Fullerton recently instituted a fixed rate fee (cue the screams of outrage from some ratepayers.) The rate increase drivers are a triumvirate of aging infrastructure, climate change creating more supply uncertainty, and increasing (and terrific) levels of water conservation (and the corresponding less water sale revenue.) That’s what happened with the two agencies cited above. The MWD Chair, Adan Ortega, said, “We’ve been successful in conservation to the point where our sales are declining, and we need to make that up somehow. We’ve made up the revenue and stabilized the past rates with the reserves, and we can’t keep doing that.” If these increases haven’t yet landed in your water district, we suggest not holding your breath, https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/5e41f3bb0eacfc13f94698cd/7c5ea723-326e-4ede-bd24-7b1ead518511/Latina+girl.jpg What's New - Big or small - everybody’s doing it - The US Water Alliance’s recent poll on the value of water provides encouraging news. Most of those polled support local elected officials who advocate for more investment in water infrastructure, bipartisan support for continued federal investment, and, happily, some permanent water bill assistance program. Most respondents also said they would pay modest rate increases to support local utility projects that improve water quality and community health. All good. However, the term “modest increases” is the tripping point for so many agencies – how do you define and communicate “modest”? https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/5e41f3bb0eacfc13f94698cd/b7f79965-2b07-4d1c-aae7-a8d491e0f507/BOR+Chart.jpg What's New - Big or small - everybody’s doing it - The Bureau of Reclamation recently issued its WaterSmart funding chart, complete with due dates and contact person. This is user-friendly communication from a federal agency—kudos! (Of course, I can’t vouch for how maddening the actual proposals will be to fill out.) https://confluence-west.org/whats-new/threedropthursday61523-k37j8-bcr9c-bbx6t-r7s35-hpkp8-jcdek-6d43y-3k4ma monthly 0.5 2024-04-24 https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/5e41f3bb0eacfc13f94698cd/d232b17b-f755-4909-a5c9-dbc111d957e2/Stream.jpg What's New - Death, Taxes, and the CRB? - Make it stand out Whatever it is, the way you tell your story online can make all the difference. https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/5e41f3bb0eacfc13f94698cd/1712174145778-P1W3RACR6519QEKMDYOD/GettyImages-515721381.jpg What's New - Death, Taxes, and the CRB? - There is a certain inevitability with what is happening in the Colorado River Basin - push is coming to shove. A nd you'll see all the dynamic pieces in motion at the 2024 Getches Wilkinson Center Conference on the Colorado River. This annual CRB conference has been the place to be for the past few years. Players from all over the Basin are talking (yes, talking with one another) over the two-day event. The most current science and the diverse stakeholders' points of view are all there. (Although I don't recommend the food, it's a beautiful campus.) T o summarize the moving parts, The Lower Basin, Upper Basin, and the conservation communities' recommendations to the Bureau of Reclamation's Interim Guidelines are out. Twenty of the forty CRB tribes have adopted a statement of principles. The Gila River Tribe has said it doesn't like the LB's plan and is submitting its option. Nods are made to Mexico, with the Basin players noting that negotiating with a foreign country is not in their wheelhouse. Based on all the submissions, Reclamation has until December of this year to create a draft EIS for new interim guidelines. The climate change science Sword of Damocles continues to hang over the Colorado River Basin. Here's what we said about the 2023 conference: "The Good, Bad, and the (really) Ugly." The conference sold out early last year, so register soon! https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/5e41f3bb0eacfc13f94698cd/ccfed43a-d058-4411-b72b-968a1eaeeda5/Beavers+maidu.png What's New - Death, Taxes, and the CRB? - We all know the statistic: In the American West, about 60% of our water supply (muni, ag, et al.) comes from snowpack in headwaters forests – and almost all from National Forests. We also know the various grim statistics on the health of those forests and the impact of catastrophic wildfires. Beavers? Yes, beavers, ya’ll. These charismatic rats aren't the answer to all the natural infrastructure desperately needed in forests, but they can be a great addition to many habitats. Alex Wigglesworth wrote an excellent piece in last month's Los Angeles Times on the new policy California adopted last year formally recognizing the beaver as a keystone species. Five staff members are working in the state's beaver restoration program. As one example of how the state and tribes work together, the Mountain Maidu introduced seven beavers to a meadow on ancestral lands in the Sierra Nevada. Here’s our “The Year of the Beaver” post from last December. Let's all pump our fists and say, "Beavers rock!" https://confluence-west.org/whats-new/threedropthursday61523-k37j8-bcr9c-bbx6t-r7s35-hpkp8-jcdek-6d43y monthly 0.5 2023-12-26 https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/5e41f3bb0eacfc13f94698cd/8d74edd8-383f-4185-9c71-48af295fe956/Sheep%2Bwith%2Bglasses+_xmas4.jpg What's New - Mildred Reminds You - The End is Nigh (YE23 that is) - Make it stand out Whatever it is, the way you tell your story online can make all the difference. https://confluence-west.org/whats-new/threedropthursday61523-k37j8-bcr9c-bbx6t-r7s35-hpkp8-txanj monthly 0.5 2023-12-26 https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/5e41f3bb0eacfc13f94698cd/c114da8a-e631-49ce-b1dc-c795f6a54a99/Sheep%2Bwith%2Bglasses+_xmas4.jpg What's New - Three Drop Thursday Beavers? Depends (plus a few words from Mildred) - Make it stand out Whatever it is, the way you tell your story online can make all the difference. https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/5e41f3bb0eacfc13f94698cd/1702499902187-ZX9HA9IGBCPCD9L8S0A5/image-asset.jpeg What's New - Three Drop Thursday Beavers? Depends (plus a few words from Mildred) - Beavers? Yes? No? It Depends Let’s start with a critical look at beavers. In a recent Writers on the Range piece, Ted Williams raises important concerns. He notes that beavers are beneficial – in the right place. Williams provides a number of examples of how beaver dams have wiped out native fish on some streams. He notes: In the wrong places, beavers grossly overpopulate, blocking trout migration, stripping streamside cover, choking spawning gravel with silt and muck, and converting oxygen-rich streams to dead water. That’s because humans have eliminated wolves and old growth from most of the West, and stream corridors now grow willow and aspen — beaver candy. William’s piece ticked off a lot of people. While many of you won’t agree with his findings, he raises some cautionary flags on the human predilection for “easy” fixes (especially with there’s a charismatic critter in the mix.) https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/5e41f3bb0eacfc13f94698cd/1702409880160-1UP61AK41R21930SWVNV/image-asset.jpeg What's New - Three Drop Thursday Beavers? Depends (plus a few words from Mildred) - Beaver climate action plan? Dr. Emily Fairfax and Chris Jordan call for that in their 2020 publication Beaver: The North American freshwater climate action plan, noting that beaver-based low-tech stream restoration helps build climate resilience. They also include the caveat that not every stream is a good candidate for beaver-based restoration. They note how beavers help create complex water pathways: Naturally occurring beaver dam complexes are uniquely rich and varied components of riverscapes that contain highly heterogeneous water velocities, temperatures, depths, vegetation communities, and geomorphic structures within relatively small areas of the riverscape This heterogeneity results in particularly diverse and resilient habitats and is a large part of why beavers are keystone species One of our favorite parts of their study is about “slow water” – how beavers keep water in the soil during a drought (or aridification.) King County (Seattle region) has a “beaver climate plan,” calling beaver dams comparable to speed bumps – slowing down water (or cars) as they move through their respective ecosystems. https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/5e41f3bb0eacfc13f94698cd/1701907117017-K1WJX5AGFIL2P6RDR0PZ/Sheep%2Bwith%2Bglasses+_xmas4.jpg What's New - Three Drop Thursday Beavers? Depends (plus a few words from Mildred) - Most of you have already met Mildred on our Three Drop masthead. Peering over her glasses, she says what’s what. While she would disagree that she’s pretty silly, she firmly believes the world needs more chuckling. Mildred asks everyone to please support our work with a tax-deductible contribution. She points out she could give a long lecture or publish a 20-page annual report about the great work Carpe Diem West (DBA Confluence West) has been doing in 2023, but she thinks that if you want to know more, you can always check out the website (or email us with your questions.) Mildred and all her humans say, “Thank you!” https://confluence-west.org/whats-new/threedropthursday61523-k37j8-bcr9c-bbx6t-r7s35-hpkp8-jcdek monthly 0.5 2023-12-26 https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/5e41f3bb0eacfc13f94698cd/8d74edd8-383f-4185-9c71-48af295fe956/Sheep%2Bwith%2Bglasses+_xmas4.jpg What's New - Mildred would like to tell you a joke - Make it stand out Whatever it is, the way you tell your story online can make all the difference. https://confluence-west.org/whats-new/threedropthursday61523-k37j8-bcr9c-bbx6t-r7s35-hpkp8 monthly 0.5 2023-11-15 https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/5e41f3bb0eacfc13f94698cd/9ad5f2db-54e1-4f3a-bbe3-88bd6071b79e/Autumn+sheep.jpg What's New - Three Drop Thursday: All Things CRB plus a few words from Mildred - Make it stand out Whatever it is, the way you tell your story online can make all the difference. https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/5e41f3bb0eacfc13f94698cd/5ad62972-0325-4647-a2e4-3ca3301167cd/Powell.jpg What's New - Three Drop Thursday: All Things CRB plus a few words from Mildred - Good news, suspect news & not happy news Land Desk has a succinct the-Emperor-not-quite-fully-clothed piece on all the CRB numbers being thrown around. (The story builds partly on Jack Schmidt’s analysis; see below.) Not only is this piece suitable to use when attempting for the seventy-ninth time to explain the current situation to your friends and relatives who can’t figure out what in the heck you’re talking about most of the time, the reporter also gets snaps for including an Instagram link. In his recent analysis, Jack Schmidt, the Center for Colorado River Studies at Utah State, notes: “During October 2023, total basin storage declined by 330,000 acre-feet of which the combined contents of Lake Powell and Lake Mead declined by 90,000 acre-feet. Most of the decline in basin storage was in reservoirs upstream from Lake Powell. To put these numbers into context, 330,000 acre-feet is more Colorado River water than the state of Nevada consumes in an entire year.” He adds, “Although the wet year has taken the edge off the looming crisis of critical water shortage, we need to remember our long-term goal—continuing to work hard to conserve the bounty of WY2023.” https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/5e41f3bb0eacfc13f94698cd/21ebc349-3f82-4826-bc2c-755e0a0e4d01/Imperial+Valley.jpg What's New - Three Drop Thursday: All Things CRB plus a few words from Mildred - Read past the screamer headline Don’t stop at this article’s headline thinking that you already know what the story is about: “Twenty families in the Imperial Valley received a whopping 386.5 billion gallons of the river’s water last year — more than three Western states.” This fascinating piece from Janet Wilson, Mark Olalde, and the ProPublica team dives into the history of why today only 20 farmers in the Imperial Irrigation District have the senior water rights to more CRB water than three Basin states combined. They explore how this handful of families came to control so much of the West’s most valuable river, a story that includes some very ugly racist history. https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/5e41f3bb0eacfc13f94698cd/4fd9ba8e-dd0a-456c-8269-ff54735e406a/Autumn+sheep.jpg What's New - Three Drop Thursday: All Things CRB plus a few words from Mildred - Most of you have already met Mildred on our Three Drop masthead. Peering over her glasses, she says what’s what. While she would disagree that she’s pretty silly, she firmly believes the world needs more chuckling. Mildred asks everyone to please support our work with a tax-deductible contribution. She points out she could give a long lecture or publish a 20-page annual report about the great work Carpe Diem West (DBA Confluence West) has been doing in 2023, but she thinks that if you want to know more, you can always check out the website (or email us with your questions.) Mildred and all her humans say, “Thank you!” https://confluence-west.org/whats-new/threedropthursday61523-k37j8-bcr9c-bbx6t-r7s35 monthly 0.5 2023-11-14 https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/5e41f3bb0eacfc13f94698cd/9ad5f2db-54e1-4f3a-bbe3-88bd6071b79e/Autumn+sheep.jpg What's New - Three Drop Thursday: Watersheds, Wildfire, Water (yes, again!) - Make it stand out Whatever it is, the way you tell your story online can make all the difference. https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/5e41f3bb0eacfc13f94698cd/04fc60bf-8caa-4e93-b1df-5cbb0cec29c3/Twisp+wildfire.jpg What's New - Three Drop Thursday: Watersheds, Wildfire, Water (yes, again!) - Water Resiliency & Wildfire It’s hard to know where to start with the many essential points in this study, Building water resilience in the face of cascading wildfire risks (Ajami et al.) The authors looked at 212 publications and from there extracted salient findings and recommendations. (An important note: They classify water systems as natural infrastructure, which for the American West means primarily National Forest lands.) Some of the toplines (which will come as no surprise to practitioners): the need for a holistic framework to assess interactions and feedback loops between water quality and quantity, and addressing the evolving threat of wildfires to water systems. They call for more research (they are scientists after all) and cite the need for multi-stakeholder collaborations and partnerships. https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/5e41f3bb0eacfc13f94698cd/4b3e22b9-cf40-4bbc-b1d1-5ec9eab4402e/Grizzly-Creek-Fire-John-Brockmeier-for-Whitewater-Rafting-LLC.jpg What's New - Three Drop Thursday: Watersheds, Wildfire, Water (yes, again!) - Since we’re on a roll Since we’re on a roll with wildfire and water supply reports, The National Wildland Commission (a commission with some great folks on it) is out with their seminal document (all 189 pages) On Fire: The Report of the Wildland Fire Mitigation and Management Commission. Chapter Two puts community water supplies in the context of protecting public health and, like the report cited above, calls for interagency coordination (there’s a radical notion!), shifting the emphasis from reactive to proactive investments, and for greater support of partnerships and collaborations. https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/5e41f3bb0eacfc13f94698cd/1698863562765-KBBXUFE4DP84B9EZUSYM/GettyImages-1198521202.jpg What's New - Three Drop Thursday: Watersheds, Wildfire, Water (yes, again!) - Mc Gee Creek, Inyo “Dwelling Place of the Great Spirit” Mc Gee Creek, Inyo land - “Dwelling Place of a Great Spirit” (in the Paiute language) https://confluence-west.org/whats-new/threedropthursday61523-k37j8-bcr9c-bbx6t monthly 0.5 2023-09-28 https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/5e41f3bb0eacfc13f94698cd/d2e2b3cd-554f-4ff7-81e8-0d87905d193e/Sheep%252Bwith%252Bglasses.jpg What's New - Three Drop Thursday: Navigating Communities, databases, beauty, death & hope - Make it stand out Whatever it is, the way you tell your story online can make all the difference. https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/5e41f3bb0eacfc13f94698cd/a1440151-376d-4946-93e4-819f996bc836/unsplash-image-o8_QHvCDuzE.jpg What's New - Three Drop Thursday: Navigating Communities, databases, beauty, death & hope - Community Navigators – Check it out The federal land agencies (e.g., USFS, BLM, NPS, etc.) are doing their darndest (not their forte) to link underserved communities with IRA and Infrastructure Act grants. Fortunately, two well-known NGOs have stepped up to help: Coalitions and Collaboratives (aka CoCo) and the Watershed Center have launched the USFS’s Community Navigator program. In a nutshell: The Navigator Program supports leaders in finding and accessing funding to build climate resilience (e.g., preventing and mitigating catastrophic wildfires.) First step? “Request a Navigator” – a staffer will be in touch. Looking for more specific info on navigating the USFS’s “Fireshed” funding maze? Check out our Watersheds for Firesheds program. https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/5e41f3bb0eacfc13f94698cd/0fef54b8-5705-4a74-a382-646e7fb883a5/image-asset.jpg What's New - Three Drop Thursday: Navigating Communities, databases, beauty, death & hope - Yo! Reporters, bloggers, et al Green 2.0 is out with their updated Environmental Experts of Color Database – a very useful compendium of folks from California to WDC, Mariana Islands to Alaska. And while you’re out on their site, your org can also take the Pay Equity Pledge. https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/5e41f3bb0eacfc13f94698cd/437f6315-8ee3-4b19-82bf-1ff7f415f190/Owens+Valley.jpg What's New - Three Drop Thursday: Navigating Communities, databases, beauty, death & hope - Make it stand out Brian van der Brug/LA Times https://confluence-west.org/whats-new/threedropthursday61523-k37j8-bcr9c monthly 0.5 2023-09-13 https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/5e41f3bb0eacfc13f94698cd/d2e2b3cd-554f-4ff7-81e8-0d87905d193e/Sheep%252Bwith%252Bglasses.jpg What's New - Source Water Map, Pics & Words - Happy September! - Make it stand out Whatever it is, the way you tell your story online can make all the difference. https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/5e41f3bb0eacfc13f94698cd/300fdf24-83c3-4a43-b9ac-a1d35814525e/unsplash-image-o8_QHvCDuzE.jpg What's New - Source Water Map, Pics & Words - Happy September! Manna for us map geeks - and western water managers and watershed advocates - at long last it’s been released: the USFS map that overlays muni source water with the designated ‘firesheds.’ This means you can now look at a critical western watershed and determine if it’s in a ‘fireshed.’ If so, you can advocate with your DS/RF for inclusion in restoration funds in upcoming fireshed allocations ($591M spent so far out of $3.5B.) The map also includes overlays for biodiversity and at-risk species, carbon, reforestation, old growth and mature forests. Want to know more? Our Watersheds for Firesheds project has answers! https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/5e41f3bb0eacfc13f94698cd/ebfffd3c-ff52-4278-a18d-9233aa463c9a/Cache+Poudre+debris.jpg What's New - Source Water Map, Pics & Words - Happy September! Around here, we like to ‘accent the positive,’ but these pics are too important not to share. Three years after the Cameron Peak wildfire in Colorado, the Poudre - water supplies for Fort Collins, Greeley, and a portion of the CO-Big Thompson Project - continues to run black with sediment after every rain event. Our thanks to filmmaker Evan Barrientos for sharing his important work with us. https://confluence-west.org/whats-new/threedropthursday61523 monthly 0.5 2023-06-15 https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/5e41f3bb0eacfc13f94698cd/779c4940-3c22-46b5-99b1-3f9976fdaf77/Lae+Mead+watching.jpg What's New - Class Five Rapids on the CRB - Deadpool Diaries – John Fleck's CRB Snapshot “I learned stuff at last week's Getches-Wilkinson Center Colorado River conference at the University of Colorado Law School. I learned: The bodacious snowpack means the chance of Lake Mead dropping below elevation 1,000 is zero. We still need to cut 1.5 million acre-feet of Colorado River water use, at least. We still have no plan to do that. We remain at risk of river flows past Lee's Ferry dropping low enough by 2026 to trigger a legal argument about what the Upper Basin really owes the Lower Basin. We have what was called a "historic accord" to reduce Lower Basin use in the short run, which muchly revolves around paying people to not use water. The "historic accord" does not take any steps toward resolving longstanding tribal and environmental inequities.” Photo: Ringside Seats at Mead https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/5e41f3bb0eacfc13f94698cd/f4651005-d9d0-4426-a609-17e244be119b/Tribes.jpg What's New - Class Five Rapids on the CRB - What About the 30 CRB Tribes? Rachel Kuhn at KUNC did an excellent job highlighting the still unclear role the 30 CRB Tribes will have in the upcoming 2026 Interim Guidelines negotiations. (These federally recognized tribes hold rights to about a quarter of the water in the CRB.) And, as Daryl Vigil, a Jicarilla Apache water leader said at the GWC conference, "To think that there's an 'Indian solution' really dishonors that individuality and the uniqueness of each one of those tribes." https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/5e41f3bb0eacfc13f94698cd/3ada1a2a-173b-47ff-b579-68d6ca851e4e/Wilkinson.jpg What's New - Class Five Rapids on the CRB - Remembering A few days before the GWC conference last week, Charles Wilkinson died. A remarkable man, he was a force in natural resources law, a tribal advocate, and an inspiring figure for generations of Colorado law students and western environmental advocates. One of my favorite Wilkinson quotes is from an interview he did years ago: “My water law course is a thinly disguised course in trout fishing. When you trout fish, you need to think in terms of the whole watershed, and that’s what you need to do with water law.” You can read about his legacy - A Trailblazer for Justice, the Earth, and American Indian Law. Rest in peace, Sir. We have an unknown distance yet to run, an unknown river to explore. - John Wesley Powell https://confluence-west.org/whats-new/threedropthursday51823 monthly 0.5 2023-05-18 https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/5e41f3bb0eacfc13f94698cd/6cf4af48-5931-4da1-92ae-0615c1a017f1/Slouching.jpg What's New - Three Drop Thursday - Slouching Towards Bethlehem Ella Nilsen’s CNN piece this week on the Colorado River negotiations includes an intriguing anonymous quote, “We think the US [Department of Interior] created a circumstance to encourage this kind of discussion by putting out two fundamentally flawed alternatives.” Josh Partlow’s piece in the Washington Post goes into a bit more detail and includes this priceless quote (again, anonymous): “The fundamental impasse here is between the feds being able to say what is going to happen versus an agreement the Lower Basin states have come to that’s at the same amounts. The dynamics are a little weird.” All of which to say is …maybe, hopefully, an agreement will be announced on May 30, and we can start tackling the fundamental challenge - ensuring a resilient river system in the face of climate change. https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/5e41f3bb0eacfc13f94698cd/67a4ae04-fcb1-4ffd-894e-740a840b22bd/unsplash-image-H0xA8nGo9_s.jpg What's New - Three Drop Thursday - Be there! The fun place to be next month? Running Lava Falls? Scoring big at Nordstrom's half-year sale? Nope! The real fun will be at the Colorado River Basin conference June 8 & 9, Uni of Colorado, Boulder, co-hosted by the Water and Tribes Initiative. The fun (or not fun): a BOR ROD summer, fallout (or, ‘fallup’?) from the May 30 SEIS deadline, maybe/maybe not meaningful participation in decision-making by tribes, enviros, and cities, a joint proposal from all seven Basin states. Agenda and registration info here. https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/5e41f3bb0eacfc13f94698cd/0d137b96-2be3-42c2-b64d-a49e8c1e2cb0/Ruby+Valley.jpg What's New - Three Drop Thursday - Beavers and Cattle - an oxymoron? Take a few minutes, breathe and enjoy this well done video Beavers and Cattle. Cattle ranchers in the headwaters of the Ruby River in Montana talk about how beavers have improved, and are now essential, to their cattle operation. https://confluence-west.org/whats-new/threedropthursday42723 monthly 0.5 2023-04-26 https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/5e41f3bb0eacfc13f94698cd/e1b92754-3141-4377-b7a8-fc02eae8e2b1/Forest+river.jpg What's New - Three Drop Thursday - How did they do it? One of forest and watershed advocates' biggest challenges is getting the EIS done. The Forest Service has limited capacity (staffing and funding), so watershed coalitions have stepped up in some places and, with the District Sup's green light, found the money for the NEPA required planning. Our first Watersheds for Firesheds' "How did they do it?" presents the story of the French Meadows coalition and how they raised the $1.3M for planning – work that led to the NEPA approval for the 28,000 NF land work. https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/5e41f3bb0eacfc13f94698cd/67a4ae04-fcb1-4ffd-894e-740a840b22bd/unsplash-image-H0xA8nGo9_s.jpg What's New - Three Drop Thursday - The fun place to be this June Running Lava Falls? Scoring big at Nordstrom's half-year sale? Nope! The real fun will be at the Colorado River Basin conference June 8 & 9, Uni of Colorado, Boulder, co-hosted by the Water and Tribes Initiative. The fun (or not fun): a BOR ROD summer, fallout from the May 30 SEIS deadline, maybe/maybe not meaningful participation in decision-making by tribes, enviros, and cities, a joint proposal from all seven Basin states. Agenda and registration info here. https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/5e41f3bb0eacfc13f94698cd/8b4ebf3d-a319-4a67-8d25-6fd4513cf08b/Aurora+Borealis.jpg What's New - Three Drop Thursday - Being in awe Now and then, moments, images, and sounds remind us of the extraordinary magic of our planet home. This past week brought stunning images of the Aurora Borealis. So that's where we'll stop this Three Drop – enjoy – and breathe. https://confluence-west.org/whats-new/threedropthursdayapril62023 monthly 0.5 2023-04-05 https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/5e41f3bb0eacfc13f94698cd/f0d082a4-0179-483f-9fed-7ee02d7dd38f/unsplash-image-d5GIhJSHeMw.jpg What's New - Three Drop Thursday - Reading tea leaves Former DOI Secretary and Arizona Governor Bruce Babbitt has pretty much seen it all in the Colorado River Basin. As he said in this E & E piece last week, "Mediation often helps explore new ideas that are not yet in play because nobody's thought of them. That's what mediators do, they tease out people to think of new ways of settling this stuff. That's what we really need at this point." Mr. Babbitt's comments come at the same time Senator Bennet and Congressman Neguse announced formation of the Colorado River Basin Congressional Caucus. Tea leaves are currently being read as to whether or not the Caucus will provide political cover for DOI to make the really tough choices or further mire the current UB/LB impasse. https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/5e41f3bb0eacfc13f94698cd/67a4ae04-fcb1-4ffd-894e-740a840b22bd/unsplash-image-H0xA8nGo9_s.jpg What's New - Three Drop Thursday - One stuck (as far as is publicly known) in-the-mud wheel This week's Washington Post article (again quoting Governor Babbitt) "There are discussions going on but they're not making much progress. The level of distrust and animosity is really remarkable." While we all (very much) hope that Mr. Babbitt is overstating, what's eyebrow-raising is that even with the IRA $4B on the table, there haven’t been announcements of any irrigation district signing up for AF reductions. https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/5e41f3bb0eacfc13f94698cd/730104a6-cb5e-4cff-973a-b2991bf859b4/Sheep+with+glasses.jpg What's New - Three Drop Thursday - What If? In the same E & E piece cited above, John Berggren at Western Resources Advocates added, "Secretary Babbitt's right in that Interior can't do this [sustainably manage the Colorado River Basin] alone. States can't do this alone. The tribes can't do this alone. The NGOs can't do this alone. There needs to be collaboration across all those groups to get it done. The problem is there is no existing institutional structure for that conversation to happen." A few years ago, we had a place for "check your guns at the door" conversations, and collective development of new approaches. The Colorado Futures Project ended when the states decided they had figured out how to better manage the Basin (e.g., the DCP.) Time for Daughter of Colorado Futures Project? https://confluence-west.org/whats-new/watershedsforfiresheds monthly 0.5 2023-03-28 https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/5e41f3bb0eacfc13f94698cd/1668452020957-KOOXBVAPIDBC8AY6CW43/unsplash-image-o8_QHvCDuzE.jpg What's New - Watersheds for Firesheds - Make it stand out Whatever it is, the way you tell your story online can make all the difference. https://confluence-west.org/whats-new/threedropthursdayfeb232023-xadnc monthly 0.5 2023-02-22 https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/5e41f3bb0eacfc13f94698cd/51522f64-2cd5-4031-9d11-a83dce4e340e/Girl-+Pulse+flow.jpg What's New - Three Drop Thursday - Calling all journos, bloggers, et al. Who generally gets quoted in western water and climate change news stories? Primarily white men - to a lesser extent, white women. This is even though people of color are the majority in many western states. Journos and bloggers (and all you editors) – want to shake up the status quo? Here’s a terrific resource – the Color of Water searchable directory of people of color experts in all things related to water. https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/5e41f3bb0eacfc13f94698cd/c29c3116-aa9f-4915-a173-4e78bfc08538/unsplash-image-fS43j8SfE40.jpg What's New - Three Drop Thursday - Dissing Glen Canyon Most of us have for years been rolling our eyes at the (seemingly wacko) idea of decommissioning Glen Canyon. Now, climate change may be making fools of all of us. Case in point: Reclamation issued its six alternatives to keeping power generation going. Five of those alternatives really suck, requiring huge sums and possibly impossible engineering. The sixth calls for using wind and solar power (!) to augment the hydro. More on the usual good piece @byianjames https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/5e41f3bb0eacfc13f94698cd/b25417a5-a5ab-4afd-bd51-7c6260d441fd/unsplash-image-_3Q3tsJ01nc.jpg What's New - Three Drop Thursday - The fun place to be this June Where? Running the Grand Canyon? Scoring big at Nordstrom’s half-year sale? Nope! The real fun will be at the Colorado River Basin conference June 8 & 9, Uni of Colorado, Boulder, co-hosted by the Water and Tribes Initiative. The fun (or not fun): a BOR ROD summer and, maybe/maybe not meaningful engagement with tribes, enviros, and cities, and/or a joint proposal from all Basin states. Agenda and registration info to come. https://confluence-west.org/whats-new/threedropthursdayfeb92023 monthly 0.5 2023-02-22 https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/5e41f3bb0eacfc13f94698cd/300fdf24-83c3-4a43-b9ac-a1d35814525e/unsplash-image-o8_QHvCDuzE.jpg What's New - Three Drop Thursday - Yep, hundreds of millions As we've been reporting in this space for about a year now, the US Forest Service has a lot of new funding. The 2021 Federal Infrastructure Investment and Jobs Act provides $3.5 billion over the next five years for the National Forest Service's Confronting the Wildfire Crisis: A Strategy for Protecting Communities and Improving the Resilience of America's Forests – aka the '10-Year Strategy.' Late last month, the Forest Service announced its second round of funding for "priority firesheds" - $490M for 11 projects. Careful readers of Three Drop Thursday will remember the problem and the opportunity this funding brings – totally great that the Forest Service is getting all of this funding, totally maddening that western source water protection, climate resilience, and habitat are not priorities. https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/5e41f3bb0eacfc13f94698cd/0a0c0d04-b554-4c8c-a2ce-8b26a2d4519e/unsplash-image-IfsvDZBSeWc.jpg What's New - Three Drop Thursday - OK, what's everyone doing about those maddening challenges? As one example, many Healthy Headwaters Alliance members are working with their Regions advocating for NEPA-ready projects in these priority landscapes to include source water protection, et al. Later this month (drum roll please), Confluence West will be rolling out our Watersheds-for-Firesheds project, supporting community advocates with timely information and analysis to help them make their way through the Forest Service’s "10-year Strategy" maze. Sneak preview of the unfinished site. We'll blast out the final in the next few weeks. https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/5e41f3bb0eacfc13f94698cd/730104a6-cb5e-4cff-973a-b2991bf859b4/Sheep+with+glasses.jpg What's New - Three Drop Thursday - OK, We Lied. We just couldn't resist (and who could) a sheep explaining the current Colorado River situation. A bit of levity for what has been a grim couple of weeks. Enjoy! https://confluence-west.org/whats-new/threedropthursdaydecember12022-c3lbe-wwpsy monthly 0.5 2022-12-16 https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/5e41f3bb0eacfc13f94698cd/365e0057-d8e7-4de0-bb43-122fee45d9be/unsplash-image-HuEkQxWdoVA.jpg What's New - Tis the Season -Thank you! - Make it stand out Whatever it is, the way you tell your story online can make all the difference. https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/5e41f3bb0eacfc13f94698cd/d1f9c900-a19e-41f2-8465-1bb9fc76e955/Snowflake+4.jpg What's New - Tis the Season -Thank you! - Make it stand out Whatever it is, the way you tell your story online can make all the difference. https://confluence-west.org/whats-new/threedropthursdaydecember12022-c3lbe monthly 0.5 2022-12-16 https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/5e41f3bb0eacfc13f94698cd/365e0057-d8e7-4de0-bb43-122fee45d9be/unsplash-image-HuEkQxWdoVA.jpg What's New - Tis the Season -Thank you! - Make it stand out Whatever it is, the way you tell your story online can make all the difference. https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/5e41f3bb0eacfc13f94698cd/d1f9c900-a19e-41f2-8465-1bb9fc76e955/Snowflake+4.jpg What's New - Tis the Season -Thank you! - Make it stand out Whatever it is, the way you tell your story online can make all the difference. https://confluence-west.org/whats-new/threedropthursdaydecember12022 monthly 0.5 2022-12-07 https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/5e41f3bb0eacfc13f94698cd/365e0057-d8e7-4de0-bb43-122fee45d9be/unsplash-image-HuEkQxWdoVA.jpg What's New - Three Drop Thursday - Make it stand out Whatever it is, the way you tell your story online can make all the difference. https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/5e41f3bb0eacfc13f94698cd/8e0d1583-5064-4e62-9df8-5011da0a55de/Picture1.jpg What's New - Three Drop Thursday - Looks like a good one! We don't often promote conferences (there are so many of them!), but this one looks too good to miss: Miguel Flores, Kathy Jacobs, Kathryn Sorenson, Daniel McCool, Doug Kenney, Darryl Vigil – and other 'all stars' speaking at the Confluence - The Colorado River at the Compact’s Centennial – with a special emphasis on tribal water rights. Next Tuesday, December 6 – but for those not in Tucson that day, you can email aleinberger@arizona.edu for the Zoom link. And it’s free! (Painting by Patrick Kikut) https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/5e41f3bb0eacfc13f94698cd/2a00a406-1f0e-49ba-ba82-c00270a9bbe9/Jy+Lund.jpg What's New - Three Drop Thursday - Look familiar? Jay Lund, Director of the Center for Watershed Science, UC Davis (and long-time California water guru), put together this chart. Laugh, or cry – your choice. As Jay notes at the end of his post: “Given predictions of climate and ecological disasters, the future looks simultaneously bright, terrible, and worse for those not prepared." https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/5e41f3bb0eacfc13f94698cd/1669846175414-DKNDXDX9FTIA8ELLQWLW/GettyImages-865950770.jpg What's New - Three Drop Thursday - Tis the Season! Please support Confluence West (aka Carpe Diem West!) Since our founding in 2007, we've been pushing the edge of the western water and climate change edge - building successful alliances and campaigns and bringing new science and opportunities to put innovative, sustainable regional projects into motion in the American West. You can read about our current projects and the ones we're developing. Thanks for your support! https://confluence-west.org/whats-new/threedropthursdayoctober20-tc8pb-dabny monthly 0.5 2022-11-17 https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/5e41f3bb0eacfc13f94698cd/d1108f20-bffd-4b7d-a4cd-0cfceea87933/unsplash-image-muNaqVq7sTs.jpg What's New - Three Drop Thursday - Serious funding & Tackling Three Queestions Those who get our e-blasts regularly know that we’ve been paying close attention to the Forest Service’s new $5B (+) ten-year wildfire risk reduction “fireshed” strategy. Currently, this “risk-reduction” funding doesn’t prioritize work on critical watersheds, endangered wildlife habitat, or climate resilience. How do all of us healthy-headwaters-and-habitat-huggers ensure that these new funds are on par with the current Forest Service priority of community hardening and thinning? Tapping into the expertise of the Healthy Headwaters Alliance, in January, we’re launching the Watersheds for Firesheds project supporting western tribes, NGOs, and municipalities, with timely resources and analysis focused on these questions: When is the money coming? What can it be used for? What do you have to do to get it? As we get the project up and running, we’ll ask you for your stories – what’s working? Where have you run into brick walls? What’s your best advice? https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/5e41f3bb0eacfc13f94698cd/477159e0-e6c2-45aa-b86a-2ba6185d6491/unsplash-image-XCFPOmTlCK0.jpg What's New - Three Drop Thursday - Wiki! Who’s Got a Wiki? A group of some of Colorado Basin’s smartest researchers and scientists – that’s who! Welcome to the just-launched Colorado River Science Wiki. (If you’re not confused and worried about the trajectory and health of the Basin, then you’re not paying attention.) Here’s what’s in the Wiki: Recent and ongoing Colorado River research efforts and findings Up-to-date synthesis of the science relevant to management One-stop access to key technical datasets and data tools Informing discussions about the next Interim Guidelines (now that’s a brave group of Wiki-ers!) Engaging the greater Colorado River community in joint information-gathering https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/5e41f3bb0eacfc13f94698cd/4289edf8-afe8-44af-a188-cb659dc11616/unsplash-image-VBe9zj-JHBs.jpg What's New - Three Drop Thursday - The Five Stages - Quote of the Week “For water agencies, embracing potable reuse is not unlike the five stages of grief - denial, anger, bargaining, depression, and acceptance. “ Steven Moore, General Manager, Ross Valley Sanitary District, former Vice-Chair, California State Water Board https://confluence-west.org/whats-new/threedropthursdayoctober20-tc8pb monthly 0.5 2022-10-20 https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/5e41f3bb0eacfc13f94698cd/ea7753ce-38c8-4cef-9d8c-da49a7623f89/Picture1.jpg What's New - Three Drop Thursday - The Really Bad Idea Contest - We have a winner! What do gondolas have to do with drinking water supply? In our Success in the West interview with Ralph Becker, former three-term Salt Lake City Mayor and the recently retired head of the Central Wasatch Commission, we talked about the Utah Department of Transportation’s (UDOT) proposed options for getting people in and out of the Wasatch ski areas. Well, that shoe has now dropped, and UDOT chose everyone’s nightmare – a $550M+ system of gondolas. In his Salt Lake Tribune piece, Blake Agar points out that the proposed path of the gondolas would cut through a watershed that provides drinking water for over 450,000 residents. https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/5e41f3bb0eacfc13f94698cd/1666205620531-8BAZT04A1801PVXQ4BOQ/unsplash-image-3y1zF4hIPCg.jpg What's New - Three Drop Thursday - Collective Problem Solving for One River? From Savannah Maher, a much appreciated Marketplace Colorado River story, and a quote from Dr. Mori Taheripour at the Wharton School – one that pretty much sums the situation - “People dig in their heels, and the self- advocacy prompts you to move further away from collective problem-solving.” Kyle Roerink, head of the Great Basin Water Network, added, “If there are any FBI or CIA hostage negotiators out there willing to help get water managers in touch with reality, we could certainly use their help.” (Kyle wins the Quote Contest this week!) https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/5e41f3bb0eacfc13f94698cd/3a492431-2a27-421a-a43d-bed9d4137f2d/Breathe+now.jpg What's New - Three Drop Thursday - Trying to Exhale Finally, something to keep us going as we barrel towards November 8. Yes! You can be relaxed AND send out GOTV postcards and make GOTV calls. https://confluence-west.org/whats-new/threedropthursdayseptember29 monthly 0.5 2022-09-29 https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/5e41f3bb0eacfc13f94698cd/7f9adb46-9f7b-445a-bfae-21db063f3675/Powell.jpg What's New - Three Drop Thursday - Train wreck in slo-mo – back to the Colorado River You know it's bad when the highly respected John Fleck writes a piece like this one. Most of us know him as a generally upbeat Colorado River commentator and analyst. His opening line in this week's piece: “I don't see how this ends well.” https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/5e41f3bb0eacfc13f94698cd/6c678ae9-9019-4ffa-a77b-c8467f1b501b/Colorado+Delta.jpg What's New - Three Drop Thursday - What would you do if you were the Department of Interior? Last week, the Department of Interior's press release noted that it would continue to "encourage" voluntary conservation in the Colorado Basin. Alex Hager's excellent piece from last Friday reports that his sources tell him that DOI will offer $300 - $400 an acre-foot for fallowing. In this piece, I noted that demand management is what we have to get to – and so quickly. And that demand management means cutting back (with compensation) on growing alfalfa. https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/5e41f3bb0eacfc13f94698cd/d1d626f3-4668-4d1c-a356-da8227075acb/unsplash-image-nnxWQZTmoxQ.jpg What's New - Three Drop Thursday - Brilliant video – with a big caveat Vox's video Who's Really Using up the Water in the American West is brilliant – clear, concise – one to share far and wide. Annual western water consumption – 6% residential, 8% commercial (includes power plants). The remaining 86%? You've got this one. As you watch the video though, there's one big caveat: the video doesn't put into content the water needed for adequate stream flows. Keeping that in mind, the video still gets a big thumbs up. https://confluence-west.org/whats-new/successinthewestcentralwasatch monthly 0.5 2023-03-28 https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/5e41f3bb0eacfc13f94698cd/ef4cbb16-49cf-4eb7-8cd9-e92fe5f2f4b2/Salt+Lake+City.jpg What's New - Success in the West - Make it stand out Whatever it is, the way you tell your story online can make all the difference. https://confluence-west.org/whats-new/threedropthursdayseptember0822-cc54l-4xml3-7m63k monthly 0.5 2022-09-08 https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/5e41f3bb0eacfc13f94698cd/cf68cd50-3217-46f6-ac6a-d3853e6b5bbc/unsplash-image-4elJKo6LZq8.jpg What's New - Three Drop Thursday - This week: It’s all about beavers - because, as we know, beavers rock! Many of you may have been enjoying the last few days of a screen-free August, and therefore missed this seminal report by our very own Felicia Marcus - State Climate Policy And Nature-Based Solutions: A Match That Provides Multiple Benefits For Climate, Water, And More. Sounds like another boring report? Nope. Some of my favorite take-aways: Many states already have climate policies, most of which also have complementary clean energy and/or energy efficiency policies. Fewer have complementary NBS policies linked to climate, or to climate and water together. The most promising and timely areas of focus under the NBS umbrella are forest management practices designed to capture multiple benefits. Beavers are nature’s engineers and present a mega-charismatic, nature-based solution. (Do you know why beavers have orange teeth?) https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/5e41f3bb0eacfc13f94698cd/354fefc6-2125-47eb-a3c0-ad878180a445/beaver+NYT.jpg What's New - Three Drop Thursday - Beavers hit the big time - Front page of the NYT It Was War. Then, a Rancher’s Truce With Some Pesky Beavers Paid Off. The ‘highly skilled environmental engineers’ can help to store precious water and rejuvenate land ravaged by climate change. Just don’t dynamite their homes. But beavers also store lots of water for free, which is increasingly crucial in the parched West. And they don’t just help with drought. Their engineering subdues torrential floods from heavy rains or snowmelt by slowing water. It reduces erosion and recharges groundwater. And the wetlands beavers create may have the extra benefit of stashing carbon out of the atmosphere. https://confluence-west.org/whats-new/threedropthursdayaugust2522-cc54l-4xml3 monthly 0.5 2022-08-25 https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/5e41f3bb0eacfc13f94698cd/e1b92754-3141-4377-b7a8-fc02eae8e2b1/Forest+river.jpg What's New - Three Drop Thursday - After last week’s grim (grimmer and grimmest) Colorado River Basin news, here’s some good news – first up: You’ll remember from earlier this year, the Forest Service’s new 10-year ‘fireshed’ strategy and the $3.5B in western forest funding? When this new strategy came out, many of us on the Healthy Headwaters Alliance started to ask – very loudly – ‘Wait a minute … What about watersheds? Downstream water supply? Climate adaptation? The new Executive Order from Secretary Vilsack states (among other happy-making points), “Forest values at risk are connected and often interdependent, including carbon sequestration, water, biodiversity, critical habitat, and unique ecological features such as old-growth.” https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/5e41f3bb0eacfc13f94698cd/62f8ef00-a4e4-4dcd-b598-de8b93d17fa8/unsplash-image-ZVprbBmT8QA.jpg What's New - Three Drop Thursday - Backing up all of this good news is a lot of money Along with the $3.5B (from the Infrastructure Act), there’s $220M in the Inflation Reduction Act for the Watershed Condition Framework and the Watershed Source Protection Program. $220M doesn’t go far across 193 million acres of National Forest lands, but as we like to say around here – much better than a poke in the eye. USDA UnderSecretary Harrell noted that this funding is based on recommendations from the Healthy Headwaters Alliance – woot to all! https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/5e41f3bb0eacfc13f94698cd/0d060dae-01cc-4fd9-b3ef-e634fbfaccc4/unsplash-image-o0l-M8W_7wA.jpg What's New - Three Drop Thursday - And, watershed project funding will soon be more strategic The Forest Service is doing a significant (and impressive) update to the current ‘fireshed’ map. They’re creating an overlay GAP analysis and decision support tool to this current map - incorporating data for critical headwaters, endangered species, old-growth forests, etc. The plan is to have the updated map completed by Thanksgiving. A boon to all of us working on healthy forests, source water protection, biodiversity, and climate adaptation. https://confluence-west.org/whats-new/threedropthursdayaugust1822-cc54l monthly 0.5 2022-08-18 https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/5e41f3bb0eacfc13f94698cd/8853ed12-1499-4f53-8019-5cd882ae675b/Powell.jpg What's New - Three Drop Thursday - May the gods help the Colorado River Many of us are still trying to recover from Tuesday’s Colorado River announcements. (Grim, grimmer, and grimmest.) Fortunately, we have a number of outstanding western water reporters, so if you haven’t been following the coverage here are, among many, two good ones: Colorado River Crisis Continues; and an NPR interview. (See previous Three Drop on how the science has been generally ignored for the past 20 years.) https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/5e41f3bb0eacfc13f94698cd/eaa65922-940f-4c9b-b7dd-9a9a64841967/unsplash-image-ESkw2ayO2As.jpg What's New - Three Drop Thursday - Meanwhile, back in the forest (aka western water source) The Ecological Restoration Institute at Northern Arizona is out with another excellent paper Evidence for Widespread Changes in the Structure, Composition, and Fire Regimes of Western North American Forest Landscapes (they’re scientists, so we can forgive for the wonky title.) The Institute continues to set the standard on forest health research (maybe a federal agency or two could start using some of their findings?) https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/5e41f3bb0eacfc13f94698cd/5378a5af-e1de-48c5-916f-6abcb870cf74/unsplash-image-t7EL2iG3jMc.jpg What's New - Three Drop Thursday - Thinking outside of the proverbial box (needed this week) Here at HQ, we learned a new word this week “Solarpunk” (of course, this may not be new for anyone under 30.) Wikipedia describes it as a movement “that envisions how the future might look if humanity succeeded in solving major contemporary challenges with an emphasis on sustainability, human impact on the environment, and addressing climate change and pollution.” So here’s to all of you and the world we’re working for. https://confluence-west.org/whats-new/threedropthursdayjuly2822 monthly 0.5 2022-08-17 https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/5e41f3bb0eacfc13f94698cd/4ee67ef4-5578-4b1a-ad13-6c7cd27fdf0c/Marin+IJ+blog.jpg What's New - Three Drop Thursday - Only in Marin? Don’t think so! Last month’s headline in the Marin Independent Journal (California) reads Grand Jury report blasts water supply planning. Things got a bit dicey with the county projected to run entirely out of water by July this year. What saved our (bacon, posteriors, etc.) were uncharacteristic heavy rains last Fall. Therein lies a cautionary tale for many western water agencies - bad bets, poor planning, and millions in deferred maintenance costs - the climate emergency isn't cutting anyone any slack. You can read more here. https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/5e41f3bb0eacfc13f94698cd/1658862634012-OUSSDP0K3ZKH58FIUMEO/unsplash-image-5sh24a7m0BU.jpg What's New - Three Drop Thursday - Time (past) to listen to the scientists Two important pieces out this month on climate science and the Colorado Basin: Ian James’ piece in the LA Times on how scientists warned decision makers for 20 years about the trajectory of the Basin. Then a seminal study (Kuhn, Wheeler, Udall, et al) What will it take to stabilize the Colorado River. https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/5e41f3bb0eacfc13f94698cd/97cf31d7-6896-49d4-957b-a6612aa2008e/Reimagine.jpg What's New - Three Drop Thursday - Meanwhile, back at last month’s UC Boulder Colorado Conference Later in the same week Interior announced “2-4MAF in cuts ASAP” we heard some pretty terrifying summaries on the Colorado River Basin trajectory from Jim Prairie (Reclamation UB Modeling Lead) and Jeff Lukas (Lukas Climate). Fortunately, keeping us from puddling into despair, there was also a strong conference theme of ‘crisis as opportunity’ - the federal fiat brings the opportunity to finally manage the Basin as one river. https://confluence-west.org/whats-new/reimaginingthecoloradobasin monthly 0.5 2022-09-22 https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/5e41f3bb0eacfc13f94698cd/0814caf3-c4ff-4970-aa33-210cfe971d9f/Reimagine.jpg What's New - Reimagining the Colorado Basin - Decision Time - Make it stand out Whatever it is, the way you tell your story online can make all the difference. https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/5e41f3bb0eacfc13f94698cd/7f9adb46-9f7b-445a-bfae-21db063f3675/Powell.jpg What's New - Reimagining the Colorado Basin - Decision Time - Two to four million acre-feet out of a total average annual flow of 12 million AF? The first day of the conference was, to say the least, gloomy. https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/5e41f3bb0eacfc13f94698cd/637d8f68-ba1e-4f04-bb5f-034364320a9c/Crisis.jpg What's New - Reimagining the Colorado Basin - Decision Time - The opportunity is to finally manage the Basin as one river with no more artificial ‘Upper Basin’ and ‘Lower Basin.’ https://confluence-west.org/whats-new/onlyinmarindontthinkso monthly 0.5 2022-07-12 https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/5e41f3bb0eacfc13f94698cd/088c84e2-b02e-498d-8d4f-a42291401f6d/Marin+IJ+blog.jpg What's New - Only in Marin? Don’t think so. - Make it stand out Sherry LaVars/Marin Independent Journal https://confluence-west.org/whats-new/rethinkingthewatershed monthly 0.5 2022-06-22 https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/5e41f3bb0eacfc13f94698cd/c964df05-350a-4ee8-9f1e-4dd8f7c77ea4/Powell+map.jpg What's New - Rethinking the watershed - and scaling up - Make it stand out Rethinking state boundaries 1881 https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/5e41f3bb0eacfc13f94698cd/4c5d6c9e-1e32-4bd8-b42a-23b081670459/Franco+pic2..jpg What's New - Rethinking the watershed - and scaling up - Debbie Franco As Managing Director of the Water Solutions Network, Debbie coordinates and leads collaboration among all the WSN participants. Previously, she worked for almost ten years in the California Governor’s Office, most recently as the Senior Advisor for Water and Rural Affairs. She brings 15 years of experience in the water sector, including collaborating on the Human Right to Water, the Sustainable Groundwater Management Act, and drought response. Debbie got her start in the water sector at the Environmental Justice Coalition for Water, where she ultimately served as the Policy Director. She holds a Master’s degree in social ecology from the University of California, Irvine, and a BA from the University of California, Davis. https://confluence-west.org/whats-new/wildfirehealthwatercommunity monthly 0.5 2022-06-17 https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/5e41f3bb0eacfc13f94698cd/67f0bf87-adcc-41d5-8e6a-805eb2bc21a3/Las+Vegas.jpg What's New - Wildfire, Health, Water, Community - Make it stand out Las Vegas, NM Photo: The Guardian https://confluence-west.org/whats-new/howmiuchmoney monthly 0.5 2022-05-19 https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/5e41f3bb0eacfc13f94698cd/ddbe7cd8-2432-428e-897f-e3f4f4d9dac2/Museum+wildfire.jpg What's New - How much money?? - Make it stand out Museum wildfire 2019 https://confluence-west.org/whats-new/saddleup monthly 0.5 2022-04-20 https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/5e41f3bb0eacfc13f94698cd/30920376-eb1f-4fb7-ab28-a0aafa8ebb68/unsplash-image-SDoMyyylpnc.jpg What's New - Billions & billions - saddle up! - Make it stand out Missoula, Montana - Photo courtesy of the Clark Fork Coalition https://confluence-west.org/whats-new/all-about-the-elephant monthly 0.5 2021-12-14 https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/5e41f3bb0eacfc13f94698cd/1639507361421-NJQ9RPLBW0YETFILAB9Z/GettyImages-1325402691.jpg What's New - It’s all about the elephant Missoula, Montana - Photo courtesy of the Clark Fork Coalition https://confluence-west.org/whats-new/thecityofwater monthly 0.5 2021-12-13 https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/5e41f3bb0eacfc13f94698cd/91dbbc6d-a175-46dc-913f-7973b42e0b2e/D9193BEE-0776-4E8A-B1BB-89C6C28265FA.png What's New - We’re the city of water - Make it stand out Missoula, Montana - Photo courtesy of the Clark Fork Coalition https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/5e41f3bb0eacfc13f94698cd/46ed5a26-500e-459b-bd55-a31198fc01e1/Karen+Knudsen.jpg What's New - We’re the city of water - Karen Knudsen Karen is the Executive Director of the Clark Fork Coalition. She's been working with the Coalition since 1993, including stints as its River Smart Growth program director, communications director, business manager, and education and outreach coordinator. She also serves on the boards of the Watershed Restoration Coalition, a landowner-driven nonprofit working to conserve natural resources in the ranch lands of the Upper Clark Fork basin, and Climate Smart Missoula, which fosters partnerships around climate resiliency. Karen is a founding member of the Healthy Headwaters Alliance (started by Confluence West, now housed at the National Wildlife Federation) and is a long-time advisor to Confluence West. She holds a B.A. in economics from Colorado College and a master's degree in public administration from Syracuse University. In her spare time, she's outdoors as much as possible, enjoying Montana rivers and mountains with her husband and two college-age children. https://confluence-west.org/whats-new/thesourceofyourwater monthly 0.5 2021-12-03 https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/5e41f3bb0eacfc13f94698cd/1637089222165-A9BHJ9C989LJFH1CSS9J/unsplash-image-cCthPLHmrzI.jpg What's New - Your water supply source just burned down - now what? - Make it stand out Grizzly Creek Fire, Colorado River - August 10, 2020 Credit: John Brockmeir, Whitewater Rafting https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/5e41f3bb0eacfc13f94698cd/b1810664-c7d4-45c5-9ae5-d64ed3243297/Karl+Morgenstern+2014.jpg What's New - Your water supply source just burned down - now what? - Karl Morgenstern Karl Morgenstern is the Watershed Restoration Manager with the Eugene Water & Electric Board and is the lead for the post-wildfire recovery work in the McKenzie River watershed. Over the past 12 years, he's been in several different roles at EWEB, including Environmental Management Supervisor. During his tenure at EWEB, he's been responsible for developing and implementing a drinking water source protection program to safeguard Eugene's sole source of drinking water - the McKenzie River. Before EWEB, Karl spent ten years at the Oregon Department of Environmental Quality (DEQ) and seven years as an environmental consultant managing high-priority cleanups at abandoned hazardous waste sites and responding to hazardous material spills. Karl is on the Board of Directors of the East Lane Forest Protection Association, serves as Vice President on the Board of Directors for Cascade Pacific Resource Conservation & Development, is President for the Oregon Association of Resource Conservation & Development Councils. Karl is a Confluence West Board Member. https://confluence-west.org/whats-new/money-la3ya-lt9zm-ppgzr monthly 0.5 2021-11-16 https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/5e41f3bb0eacfc13f94698cd/1635458102974-OQKKCW8CGYL4XJ2Z5JHK/GettyImages-600413388.jpg What's New - Let’s get real - Make it stand out Grizzly Creek Fire, Colorado River - August 10, 2020 Credit: John Brockmeir, Whitewater Rafting https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/5e41f3bb0eacfc13f94698cd/20456885-1409-4aa4-906e-fd9338b290fd/images+2.jpg What's New - Let’s get real Kathryn Sorensen served for many years as Director of Phoenix Water Services as well as Director of the City of Mesa Water Resources Department. In these roles, she was responsible for delivering safe, clean, reliable water for millions of Arizonans and significantly advanced the sustainable management of water resources in Arizona and the Colorado River basin. She earned a Ph.D. in Agricultural and Resource Economics from Texas A&M University and a Bachelor of Arts in Economics from the University of Michigan. In her position at Arizona State University, she oversees the research efforts of the Kyl Center for Water Policy, serves as a Professor of Practice at the Watts College of Public Service and Community Solutions, and contributes to the Global Futures Laboratory. Kathryn is a Confluence West Advisor. https://confluence-west.org/whats-new/money-la3ya-lt9zm monthly 0.5 2021-10-19 https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/5e41f3bb0eacfc13f94698cd/1632246079234-2UW5RD1PT437G204C7MG/Grizzly-Creek-Fire-John-Brockmeier-for-Whitewater-Rafting-LLC.jpeg What's New - Western wildfires & water - why water leaders are so damn worried - Make it stand out Grizzly Creek Fire, Colorado River - August 10, 2020 Credit: John Brockmeir, Whitewater Rafting https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/5e41f3bb0eacfc13f94698cd/1632248441432-GANRIOVAR2AP42JG1L3Z/1A4B272D-A560-4097-80DE-CFCDD3A7EC45_1_105_c.jpeg What's New - Western wildfires & water - why water leaders are so damn worried - Kimery Wiltshire Confluence West Healthy Forests, Healthy Water, Healthy People https://confluence-west.org/whats-new/money-la3ya monthly 0.5 2021-09-20 https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/5e41f3bb0eacfc13f94698cd/1623695880362-6NWEDRPU8Y9A6KZEDG7F/GettyImages-1082055824.jpg What's New - Talking Water Investments – Western water & climate change - Make it stand out Whatever it is, the way you tell your story online can make all the difference. https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/5e41f3bb0eacfc13f94698cd/1623707616222-HXGZ8EY9K32TUYTWD497/prof1-1.jpg What's New - Talking Water Investments – Western water & climate change Kimery Wiltshire, Confluence West Healthy Forests, Healthy Water, Healthy People https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/5e41f3bb0eacfc13f94698cd/1623695609216-9NZ7IEVLVX0K93A7OK0X/9C324C37-0BDF-49D3-837A-6159A4D8FAA4_1_105_c.jpeg What's New - Talking Water Investments – Western water & climate change In December 2019, Maggie Hart Stebbins was appointed by New Mexico's Governor Michelle Lujan Grisham to serve as the state's Natural Resources Trustee, a role in which she is responsible for ensuring that precious natural resources are restored following contamination by hazardous substances or oil. Her appointment as Trustee followed more than ten years as a Bernalillo County Commissioner, where she was elected three times to represent an economically and demographically diverse district in central Albuquerque. As a former Albuquerque Bernalillo County Water Utility Authority Board, she was, and still is, committed to protecting New Mexico's water resources. She also serves as a Confluence West advisor. https://confluence-west.org/whats-new/money monthly 0.5 2021-06-10 https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/5e41f3bb0eacfc13f94698cd/1619560075814-Q02IG5NYYYM8OOIYWKXF/GettyImages-1000291448.jpg What's New - How much money? A darn good example. Trunchas, New Mexico https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/5e41f3bb0eacfc13f94698cd/1619560471300-K3JY7CSE0ET2NFJ980QJ/rightsizeAlbuquerque.jpeg What's New - How much money? A darn good example. https://confluence-west.org/whats-new/have-you-hugged-your-partnership-today monthly 0.5 2021-03-11 https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/5e41f3bb0eacfc13f94698cd/1615322913995-0440NQTIKKH7FN4WAQS4/unsplash-image-H3htK85wwnU.jpg What's New - Have you hugged your partnership today? https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/5e41f3bb0eacfc13f94698cd/1615323177771-U62ANHOC1PPPXV36IOCP/2792DA66-B626-4D87-ACB0-C1B1E6C2CE19_1_105_c.jpeg What's New - Have you hugged your partnership today? https://confluence-west.org/whats-new/ok-this-is-damn-scary-solution-time monthly 0.5 2021-02-13 https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/5e41f3bb0eacfc13f94698cd/1612379477363-09LZNBAH5LY1QUOZYVAS/image.jpg What's New - Ok, This is Damn Scary – Solution Time https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/5e41f3bb0eacfc13f94698cd/1612379081787-ZHRIBUO9XJCCGSTQ3Q4E/image-asset.jpeg What's New - Ok, This is Damn Scary – Solution Time https://confluence-west.org/whats-new/money-money-part-3-lets-talk-billions-equity monthly 0.5 2021-01-04 https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/5e41f3bb0eacfc13f94698cd/1607027983732-8A1LURPYPQA5KQB2ZHY9/image.jpg What's New - Money, Money Part 3 (let’s talk billions) + Equity https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/5e41f3bb0eacfc13f94698cd/1607028548614-KBR4IX8UUAJDAJ0V0VBV/image.jpg What's New - Money, Money Part 3 (let’s talk billions) + Equity https://confluence-west.org/whats-new/how-much-money-are-we-really-talking-about monthly 0.5 2020-11-12 https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/5e41f3bb0eacfc13f94698cd/1605132417147-BHTNZRGQYQ7W1GU16J9B/image.jpg What's New - Money, Money Part 2 https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/5e41f3bb0eacfc13f94698cd/1605132669137-OUZURP73ELPN7S6WCS44/image.jpg What's New - Money, Money Part 2 https://confluence-west.org/whats-new/money-money-investing-in-forest-amp-water-health monthly 0.5 2020-10-16 https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/5e41f3bb0eacfc13f94698cd/1602871196326-RMETOI80SYY6FDRS9CS2/image.jpg What's New - Money, Money - Investing in Forest & Water Health https://confluence-west.org/whats-new/some-cheerful-news-funding-for-water-source-protection monthly 0.5 2020-10-08 https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/5e41f3bb0eacfc13f94698cd/1602181275033-JCHKEIQVNF4E1NKOBIC1/image.jpg What's New - Some cheerful news: Funding for Water Source Protection https://confluence-west.org/whats-new/not-just-about-marin-county monthly 0.5 2020-09-22 https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/5e41f3bb0eacfc13f94698cd/1600799753695-PYK9PF9UTPTR614NGMFS/Nicascio+Reservoir+9-21-2020.jpg What's New - Not just about Marin County https://confluence-west.org/whats-new/uboscquzoeadoaulg19u5utozakdqe monthly 0.5 2020-09-06 https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/5e41f3bb0eacfc13f94698cd/1599425753506-M4WNYNF54J8QF3YK4VFB/Hayman2.jpg What's New - Let’s get smarter - really fast Ongoing restoration on the 2002 Hayman fire - at the time the largest wildfire in Colorado history. Courtesy National Forest Foundation. https://confluence-west.org/whats-new/now-what monthly 0.5 2020-09-02 https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/5e41f3bb0eacfc13f94698cd/1598566557648-JH9METFTWCIQHPXRFJ8D/rightsizeAlbuquerque.jpeg What's New - Now what? https://confluence-west.org/whats-new/no-multi-tasking-on-this-webinar monthly 0.5 2020-08-27 https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/5e41f3bb0eacfc13f94698cd/1598554654369-CT4MJIMGNPOEUNQWWUDE/image-asset.jpeg What's New - No Multi-Tasking on this Webinar! https://confluence-west.org/whats-new/jaw-dropping--SjwF7 monthly 0.5 2020-07-27 https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/5e41f3bb0eacfc13f94698cd/1594938685974-4VMYHZVJ7IXH8U5XZXUG/Confluence+West+-+Colorado+Delta.jpg What's New - Jaw Dropping … Photo courtesy of Raise the River https://confluence-west.org/whats-new/l3i45q6ym9jend4xjwodfaurtatij4 monthly 0.5 2020-06-17 https://confluence-west.org/whats-new/scouting-whats-ahead monthly 0.5 2020-05-15 https://confluence-west.org/whats-new/healthy-headwaters-the-big-leap-forward monthly 0.5 2020-05-15 https://confluence-west.org/whats-new/tag/%23coloradoriver+%23cawater+%23azwater monthly 0.5 https://confluence-west.org/contact daily 0.75 2021-12-09 https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/5e41f3bb0eacfc13f94698cd/1639080602006-9ZBPFTE1PQI1J3AQ28T3/unsplash-image-2NQUZsSFkao.jpg Contact - 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