Record low snow accumulation and warm temperatures in Western river basins raise concern about water supply in the Western U.S.[1]. The future of the Colorado River Basin, one of the most contested water resources in the nation, impacts over 5 million acres of agricultural land and drinking water for a population of over 40 million. […]
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Idaho Water Management Challenges Take Center Stage at IWUA’s 89th Annual Convention The 89th Annual Convention of the Idaho Water Users Association (IWUA) brought more than 200 water leaders to Boise January 21–22, 2026. There were two days of policy updates, technical briefings, and forward-looking discussions about the most pressing Idaho water management challenges. This
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EPA and Army Propose Update to the Definition of WOTUS On November 17, 2025, the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (“EPA”) and the U.S. Department of the Army (“the agencies”) released a proposed rule that updates the definition of “Waters of the United States” (“WOTUS”) under the Clean Water Act (“CWA”). The proposal aims to bring
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The City of Portland’s Big Pipe Project: What it Does and Why it Maters The City of Portland’s Big Pipe Project was a major effort to reduce the amount of pollution entering the Willamette River and the Columbia Slough. This project cost about $1.4 billion and took 20 years to finish. Thanks to this work,
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Tracking Nevada Snowpack A Forecast for the Next Water Year Whether their interests lie on the ski slopes, in agricultural fields, or both, Nevadans “in the know” closely watch the snow forecast over the winter. Tracking Nevada snowpack in the various mountain ranges is not only indicative of the quality of winter recreation. It provides
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How Do You Volunteer and Give Back to Your Community? Be a great volunteer! At Schroeder Law Offices, P.C., many of us enjoy volunteering and giving back to our communities. Whether it is providing feedback on water policy to various public outreach efforts in the state, or supporting industries that are near and dear to
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Lake Tahoe Community College welcomes community members to get a tree permit from the Tahoe Regional Planning Agency and participate in the holiday tradition of cutting your own holiday tree. This event not only lets you bring home a festive tree but also supports the restoration of Trout Creek meadow by removing pine trees that
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What is the Blue Water Footprint? Background The Blue Water Footprint measures how much freshwater is taken from rivers, lakes, reservoirs, and underground aquifers for human use. It is different from green water, which refers to rainwater stored in the soil, and grey water, which represents used or other water requiring treatment. The blue water
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On October 20, 2025, the Supreme Court of the United States (“SCOTUS”) denied review of the “corner crossing case” legally known as Iron Bar Holdings v. Cape, et al.. As discussed in previously in these pages the case arose in the Federal District Court for the District of Wyoming between a large ranch owner, Iron
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La Niña 2025: What Oregon and Nevada Should Expect As we head into the final months of 2025, meteorologists are forecasting a strong likelihood of La Niña conditions developing across the Pacific Ocean. According to NOAA, there’s a 71% chance La Niña will form between October and December, and a 54% chance it will persist
How a water lawyer thinks about using water on a sailboat….. Using water aboard a sailboat demands thoughtful stewardship. It’s not just for the crew’s comfort, but as a microcosm of the larger challenges in water law and rights. On deck, with a fill port labeled “WATER” and a hose snaking in, the process may
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Have You Heard of Nevada Water? Nevada Water, through the University of Nevada at Reno, is a network comprised of many organizations statewide. They have the common goal of bringing water education to everyone from students to leaders. Nevada is the driest state in the country. The population is growing fast so that changes in
Celebrating 20 Years and a New Beginning: Tara Lomacz Begins Her Law School Journey A Milestone Worth Celebrating This month marks a major milestone for Tara Lomacz (née Tara Jackson). She is celebrating 20 years with Schroeder Law Offices, PC. Tara began her career as an administrative assistant and grew into the role of senior
Nevada Passes Two New Bills Combatting Water Scarcity Throughout the State In June, 2025, Nevada’s Governor, Joe Lombardo, signed two new bills creating a voluntary Water Rights retirement Program. These are Assembly Bill 104 (A.B. 104) and Senate Bill 36 (S.B. 36). As a result, the Nevada Voluntary Water Rights Retirement Program was officially established.
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Schroeder Law Offices proudly announces the promotion of Caitlin Skulan to Partner—a milestone that marks her six years of exceptional dedication, legal acumen, and leadership in the field of water law. Caitlin’s journey from a passionate law school graduate to a respected attorney and now Partner is a testament to her unwavering commitment to the
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On July 16, 2025, Iron Bar Holdings, LLC petitioned the United States Supreme Court for review of the “Corner Crossing Case.” The Corner Crossing Case is a federal case arising out of the Federal District of Wyoming. It is primed to set precedent on public land use in the West. History of the Case The
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A Must-Attend Event for Water Resouces Professionals Registration is now open for the upcoming United States Commitee on Irrigation and Drainage (USCID) 2025 Conference. The event is set for October 21-24 at the Eldorado Resort Casino in Reno, Nevada. Conferences | USCID This annual event is a premier gathering for professionals in irrigation and drainage,
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Can I Use My Spring in Oregon Without A Water Right of Use? Oregon Water Resources Department’s (“OWRD”) is ratcheting down on new applications for surface and groundwater sources. Consequently, Oregonians are looking at those uses exempt from water righting by OWRD. Different exemptions apply whether the use is considered surface or groundwater. So what
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Immense Aquifer Discovered in Oregon’s Cascade Mountains Background Central Oregon relies heavily on streams and snowmelt from the Cascade Mountains, which feed into the McKenzie and Deschutes Rivers. Recently, researchers uncovered a surprising new water source in the Cascades. It is a previously unmapped aquifer believed to contain over 80 cubic kilometers of water beneath
Revisions to Exempt Groundwater Use in Oregon In the 2025 Oregon Legislative Session, the Oregon State legislature passed House Bill (HB) 3372. HB 3372 changes rules allowing people to use groundwater without requiring a water right. These uses are called “exempt” from water right requirements. Groundwater is a major source of domestic, stockwater, and supplemental
