Blog

Solving the Puzzle of the Yampa River

River Network staff member Nicole Seltzer with her crew of river running friends on the Yampa River in Dinosaur National Monument, May 2021.
For the last four years, tucked in the northwestern corner of Colorado, a group of 27 stakeholders representing a diverse range of interest groups has come together to write an Integrated Water Management Plan (IWMP). Over this four-year period, the IWMP conducted assessments and identified consensus-driven strategies that seek to maintain a balanced river system... Read More

Low-Income Household Water Assistance Program Check-In

LIHWAP, the Low-Income Household Water Assistance Program created and funded through emergency Covid-19 legislation in December 2020 (Consolidated Appropriations Act (CAA)) and March 2021 (ARPA (American Rescue Plan Act)), is the first national water assistance program of its kind. We previously covered some of the basics of the program and an update on how the... Read More

A Profound Shift of Focus – Reflections on the 2022 River Rally

In recent years, a growing number of environmental organizations are addressing the issues of natural resource management in America’s cities. Though most had previously devoted their attention to the conservation of remote wilderness areas, many are now dedicating their efforts towards communities that have long been on the margins of our society. At its first… Read More

Times of Transition

UPDATE 9/26/22 – River Network has selected the firm GoodCitizen to lead the search for our next leader. The river is constantly turning and bending and you never know where it’s going to go and where you’ll wind up. Following the bend in the river and staying on your own path means that you are… Read More

The Next 50 Years of the Clean Water Act: Evening the Playing Field

Public clean water agencies are proud of the improvements to the environmental, social, and economic health of local communities they have helped bring about through 50 years of Clean Water Act (CWA) implementation. From significant advancements in wastewater treatment and stormwater management, to clean energy generation, carbon emissions reductions, urban renewal projects and green infrastructure… Read More

The Next River Rally

Mark your calendar for the next River Rally, which will take place in Grand Rapids, Michigan, in 2024!  River Network has hosted River Rally annually for decades, bringing together thousands of water professionals for an infusion of inspiration, knowledge-sharing, and celebration. For the River Network team, hosting River Rally is an immensely rewarding experience, but... Read More

Restoration and Reflection in the Umpqua Watershed

For 35 years Oregonians have celebrated their local rivers during River Appreciation days, and this year River Network staff were on hand to join in the fun. Started in the town of Roseburg, Oregon, in 1987 in response to concerns about the water quality degradation of the Umpqua River, the third Saturday in July is one... Read More

The Flow of Flow Funding

Update Required To play the media you will need to either update your browser to a recent version or update your Flash plugin. In 2021, River Network humbly and with curiosity sought an opportunity to explore trust-based philanthropy. As the first year of flow funding comes to a close, hear from Lisa Runkel and Renée... Read More

Court’s Climate Ruling Will Have Far Reaching Impact

On the last day of its term, the Supreme Court restricted the Environmental Protection Agency’s (EPA) ability to address climate change under the Clean Air Act (West Virginia vs. EPA). As important – the reasoning the Court used will undermine our federal agencies in doing their jobs to protect public health and the environment going… Read More

Introducing Two New State Policy Hub Categories

We’re excited to share the newest updates to the State Policy Hub! You may already know that you can find examples of state policies on the Hub related to drinking water (affordability, access, PFAS, lead service lines, and regionalization and consolidation), and open water data. You can now also find environmental justice policies and regulations... Read More

More Than Leadership

Nicole Silk in a canyon paddling a raft and smiling.

As I prepare and plan for “river season” in the West, I find myself also preparing for a journey of another kind. Some of you may have already heard my news: I’ll be departing River Network after River Rally 2022 to join The Nature Conservancy as Global Director for Freshwater Outcomes. It has been my… Read More