A grab bag from my friends and colleagues working on Colorado River issues….
The good news
From friend of Inkstain Karl Flessa (the guy who helped get me started thinking about the Colorado River Delta), a new analysis concluding that despite the terrible hydrology and political difficulties, environmental restoration work in the delta is working:
The Pulse Flow of 2014 demonstrated the feasibility of the restoration effort. Subsequent creation, irrigation and maintenance of 559 hectares (1,381 acres) of riparian vegetation attracted birds and other wildlife. Deliveries to the river channel raised water tables, supported existing vegetation and increased the length of the flowing river. Local communities have benefitted from
recreational, educational and job opportunities.
The bad news
In 2026 and for only the third time in the 21st century, there was no accumulation, and no recovery, of total Basin live storage during the snowmelt season. Nor was there any accumulation or recovery of total live storage in Lake Powell and Lake Mead during the 2026 snowmelt season.
A request for help
And from friends of Inkstain Jason Robison, Matt McKinney, and Doug Kenney, a request for your input on a survey of folks attitudes toward the Colorado River Post-2026 management process.