Richard Morrison Professor of Water Law at Arizona State University; Senior Research Fellow, Kyl Center for Water Policy; author of JUST ADD WATER (OUP)
Phoenix, AZ
Joined June 2015
- Tweets1.9K
- Following3.1K
- Followers1.6K
- Likes7.1K
I’m excited to join Snell & Wilmer as Counsel. I’m still full-time with ASU Law and still general counsel with AMWUA.
Snell & Wilmer is pleased to announce that Counsel Rhett Larson has joined the firm's Environmental and Natural Resources Practice Group in Phoenix, Arizona.
Read more here: bit.ly/4z07Zk6.
Rhett Larson retweeted
A 26-year drought and century-old math error have brought the Colorado River to a breaking point. WSJ goes inside the legal battle and breaks down the structural overhauls necessary to protect a crucial regional economy. on.wsj.com/4hEEvD0
Rhett Larson retweeted
We’re Not Running Out of Water. It’s Worse.
The headline everyone keeps writing is wrong. We're not running out of water. We're running out of cheap water. That's the distinction water law professor @rhett_larson wants you to understand — because it changes everything about how you think about solutions. More water is available. But the trade-offs are real: fewer lawns, fewer golf courses, maybe fewer data centers.
Listen to the full conversation on “Deseret Voices” with Jane Clayson Johnson.
Rhett Larson retweeted
The River that Feeds America is Running Out of Time
Lake Powell is dropping 3–4 feet per month. It's now 30 feet from "power pool" — the level where Glen Canyon Dam stops generating electricity. The backup release tubes below that level aren't designed for sustained use. @ASUCollegeOfLaw Professor Rhett Larson tells Jane Clayson Johnson, that's why power pool may effectively be dead pool: no water past the dam at all.
That dam's water grows 90% of your winter vegetables.
Full interview on Deseret Voices.
My op-ed. Summary: Arizona is not running out of water. We’re running out of cheap water. We need to invest in water conservation & augmentation & develop a state water plan to guide investments & help decide difficult trade-offs.
Opinion: Arizona needs more housing and access to water. But before we can think about building, we have to secure water access first. Something has to give. azcentral.com/story/opinion/…
“We know we’re going to lose a lot of water, it just can’t be this much, & it can’t be with Upper Basin states having no uncompensated commitments,” said Rhett Larson, professor of water law at @ASUCollegeOfLaw and legal counsel to the Arizona Municipal Water Users Association.
I was interviewed as part of this report on the interstate dispute over the Colorado River & looming cuts to Arizona’s water supply.
Colorado River water cuts: Deep Arizona reductions loom as deadline nears azfamily.com/2026/03/11/colo…
ALT The feds could step in with a plan that slashes Central Arizona Project water.
Rhett Larson retweeted
Colorado River water cuts: Deep Arizona reductions loom as deadline nears azfamily.com/2026/03/11/colo…
ALT The feds could step in with a plan that slashes Central Arizona Project water.
Rhett Larson retweeted
The crisis on the Colorado River — six things to know
latimes.com/environment/news… @_KelvinKuo @latimes
Rhett Larson retweeted
New report: How do data centers, power plants, turf, beverages, and agriculture really use water in Central Arizona?
Our latest paper puts data center demand in context and explores what sector‑by‑sector comparisons mean for sustainable water planning: ow.ly/Z6uG50YeEgj
Rhett Larson retweeted
"I’m not sure how much progress is going to be made by having governors in the room, but I think it’s still a good sign." I spoke with @rhett_larson of @ASU about the impasse in Colorado River negotiations and the deepening water shortage: latimes.com/environment/stor…
Rhett Larson retweeted
With Colorado River negotiations at an impasse, the Trump administration has called in the governors of seven states to Washington to try to hash out a consensus. latimes.com/environment/stor… @latimes
Rhett Larson retweeted
If you live in Arizona, and are concerned with protecting our Colorado River allocation, please look at this website and consider pledging to protect Arizona’s lifeline. bit.ly/45wiHDG
knowyourwaternews.com/arizon…
Rhett Larson retweeted
Ticking clock on the Colorado River: The rules for Lakes Powell & Mead expire in 2026 — and no replacement plan is in sight. What’s at stake for Arizona water users? Find out in our new explainer: tinyurl.com/ykc4955e
Rhett Larson retweeted
El Dr. @rhett_larson destaca que las cuencas compartidas entre México y EE.UU enfrentan desafíos históricos y estructurales como la división de las cuencas entre estados, la ausencia de prácticas sostenibles, el cambio climático y retos legislativos sobre gestión del agua.
Rhett Larson retweeted
@rhett_larson señala que la politización del agua es latente, con actores interesados en ambos países. Destaca que la seguridad fronteriza y la migración generan implicaciones hídricas, como el caso del río San Pedro, cuya posible militarización podría afectar zonas como Cananea
Rhett Larson retweeted
@rhett_larson menciona que el reto no siempre radica en la distribución o la jurisdicción del agua, sino en lo que el agua representa: soberanía, respeto y reconocimiento. Aumentar la disponibilidad no resolverá los conflictos si el fondo del problema es simbólico-político.
Rhett Larson retweeted
@rhett_larson destaca que la desalinización representa un futuro prometedor para México y Estados Unidos, pero es fundamental establecer prioridades claras, mejorar el monitoreo, compartir datos y fortalecer la cooperación bilateral.
Rhett Larson retweeted
🗓️Últimos días para registrarte al evento:
"El agua y las relaciones binacionales México - Estados Unidos"🇲🇽🇺🇸
🔗Registro: bit.ly/ElAguayRelacionesBila…
⏰Martes 15 de julio / Hora: 6:00 pm
📍Club de Industriales, Polanco CDMX
➡️Entrada libre
¡Acompáñanos!
Rhett Larson retweeted
📩 Te invitamos a nuestro próximo evento presencial en colaboración con @ASU_MX:
"El agua y las relaciones binacionales México - Estados Unidos"🇲🇽🇺🇸🌊
➡️Regístrate aquí: bit.ly/ElAguayRelacionesBila…
🗓️Martes 15 de julio
⏰Hora: 6:00 pm
📌Lugar: Club de Industriales, Polanco CDMX
