Wednesday, September 2, 2009

My Morning Blogging

I follow 10 blogs almost daily. Nine are water blogs and 1 is my nephew.

Today I comment on this almost daily ritual - in alphabetical order: 1) Aguanomics: This morning David Zetland (economist blogging on water issues) focuses on the recent $77 million water purchase by the Mojave Water Agency from an ag user. Zetland Blog link He contends the market will allocate water more efficiently than government or politics. This is a good blog - he's close to right most of the time, but even when not he's likewise entertaining. 2) Circle of Blue - WaterNews: Dr. Peter Gleick (Pacific Institute) was discussing the spin groups put on water stats by using a denominator that makes their numbers look the best. Good read. 3) Groundwater Blog: From the Nebraska-based Groundwater Foundation. They did not post today. 4)jfleck at inkstain: by John Fleck from Albuquerque, NM - a science writer and weather guy. He writes this morning:
Here’s a nice way of thinking about aridity: If all the water that flows in each river during an average year were spread evenly over the area drained by the river, the depths would be: Delaware 20.9 in.; Columbia 13.1 in.; Mississippi 6.7 in.; Colorado 1.15 in. Source: Water and Choice in the Colorado Basin, National Research Council, 1968.
5) living in actively moving waters: a blog by Chris Corbin, a water markets guru from Missoula, MT. Did not post today. 6) Long, Awkward Prose: my nephew's blog - not water related. 7) The Water Law: is by Alex Basilevsky - a water lawyer from Philadelphia. He doesn't post real often, but when he does, very thought-provoking. I particularly liked his August 3 piece on the "Harmon Doctrine". 8) Waterblogged: written by Jared Simpson, this blog tends to be a bit more on the sarcastic side of commentary - entertaining, tho. 9) Watering the Desert: is a Tuscon, Arizona blog by Chris Brooks - hydrologist, geologist and attorney. He's taken on a few extra jobs of late so blogs less often. He has a desert SW perspective that warrants attention (besides, he's my blog's only follower to date). And finally, 10) WaterWired: a very busy blog by Michael Campana from Oregon. Very well "tuned in" with water issues globally. Today's post was a book review of "The Heart of Dryness", by James Workman.

I find cruising these blogs a really interesting way to get my day started. I'm sure I'll find more...

5 comments:

  1. Wayne,

    You can say I'm #2. You are bookmarked along with Zetland, Fleck and Campana. Like many lurkers, I read these Blogs to expand my viewpoints and occasionally may make a comment if I feel that it will add some value.

    And yes, I'm getting an education.

    dg

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  2. Delbert: Thanks once again for the comments. Writing something every couple of days that you think others will find interesting or informative is harder than it sounds. I think the contacts that will result are well worth the effort though.

    Let me know if there are specific water issues you are most interested in. If we're dealing with them I'd be happy to share. And just as happy to hear how you and others are dealing with them. As Zetland told me earlier - It's all about the dialog and points of view. Thanks again. Wayne.

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  3. Thanks! You're on my regular water reading list too.
    - John Fleck

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  4. Wayne,
    Jamie Workman here, the author Campana reviewed (and David Zetland and John Fleck have been kind as well.) Let me know if you've found a copy of the book Heart of Dryness. I ask because I'm trying in the last chapter to translate the timeless approach of Bushmen in the Kalahari to our modern systems like the one you manage, in a way that might, through voluntary incentives, result in people demanding meters, rather than fighting them tooth and nail.
    I'm at jgworkman@hotmail.com or www.heartofdryness.com or 415 728 3494
    Keep well,
    Jamie

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  5. Jamie: I am aware of your book as it has been reviewed by those you mentioned and a few others I've run across. I have not yet taken the time to find a copy for my own. If an autographed copy were to show up in the mail, I'd certainly be obligated to buy one, though. (Hint, hint)

    The issue of meters (Water measurement) has been solved here as we mandated them 4 years ago. I have discussed this a bit with John Fleck earlier on this Blog based on a question of his. Voluntary incentives tend to be a mixed bag - working OK in some instances and not so well in others. However, I'm always open to other ideas.

    Thanks for the comments, and maybe a book?

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