For now, some breathing room on the Colorado River

I suppose it’s a sign of the times on the Colorado River that a January forecast of 95 percent of average flow into Lake Powell counts as good news. Since green on the Colorado Basin River Forecast Center map runs from 90 to 110 percent, we get green. It’s only a little bit below average! …

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The rich are different from you and me. They have nicer socks.

Some months ago, I found myself at a speaking engagement at a posh resort in the hills outside San Diego, the sort with beautiful eucalyptus trees, and golf carts. I’d brought some business attire for my panel discussion (in our family we refer to them as “grownup clothes”), but realized I’d forgotten to pack socks. …

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Stuff I wrote elsewhere: real water, real people

Three years ago John Leeper, then head of the Navajo Nation Department of Water Resources, told me about the importance of the deal that assigns long-neglected water rights along with the money to bring the water to arid eastern side of the reservation: “Real water to real people in real time.” Last week Roberto Rosales …

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Rez Ball

It is said that Chinle, a Navajo community in northeastern Arizona, has one of the largest high school basketball gyms in the country. Basketball is very popular in Indian Country.

The Windmill

“For certain specific purposes, and, primarily among them, for pumping water in moderate quantities, the windmill is not only a thoroughly reliable, but at the same time the most economical prime mover, and as far as judgment can now be passed, will hold this place for many years to come.” – Alfred R. Wolff, The …

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