The critical North Platte System will be examined Thursday, Oct. 8, during the next Casper College Community Learning Series. “Where Does Our Water Go? Understanding the North Platte System” presentation will take place from 6 to 7:30 p.m. in Room 225 at the Robert and Ruth Dove Conference Center, Walter H. Nolte Gateway Center, on the Casper College campus.
Exploring the North Platte System and Regional Water Management
“Water levels at Pathfinder Reservoir have raised understandable questions about where Wyoming’s water goes and how decisions about storage and release are made,” said Jared James, Casper College School of Science coordinator.
According to James, the evening will be less of a technical deep dive and more of a public-facing explanation of how the North Platte water system works. The broader goal is to help Natrona County residents better understand how water is managed and moved throughout the system, including reservoir operations, water allocation, downstream obligations, evaporation, drought, and the factors affecting Wyoming’s long-term water supply.
Addressing Regional Water Storage and River Basin Operations
Addressing the issue will be Mahonri Williams, chief of the Resources Management Division of the Wyoming Area Office of the Bureau of Reclamation in Mills, Wyoming. According to his biography, Williams’ division is responsible for reservoir inflow forecasting, scheduling reservoir operations, inspection of dams and irrigation facilities, emergency management, land resources management, water-related contracts, and environmental compliance. The Wyoming Area Office manages Bureau of Reclamation lands and reservoirs in the North Platte and Wind/Bighorn River basins in Wyoming and western Nebraska.
Williams has a master’s degree in civil engineering from the University of Wyoming and over 25 years of experience with Bureau of Reclamation facilities and water operations in the North Platte River Basin.
The Casper College Community Learning Series is guided by its mission: to connect our community through learning, dialogue, and discovery. As Casper’s community college, we are committed to offering thought-provoking programs that address the issues shaping our community and Wyoming’s future. Through engaging lectures, we will foster civic engagement, inspire lifelong learning, and strengthen the partnerships that drive Casper and Wyoming forward.
At a Glance
- Event Focus: Public-facing presentation explaining North Platte River Basin operations, reservoir storage decisions, water allocation, and regional water supply factors
- Key Participants: Mahonri Williams, civil engineer and chief of the Resources Management Division of the Bureau of Reclamation Wyoming Area Office
- Logistics: Date, Time, and Location: Thursday, Oct. 8, 2026, 6-7:30 p.m., Room 225, Robert and Ruth Dove Conference Center, Walter H. Nolte Gateway Center, Casper College campus
- Admission and Registration: Free and open to the public; no advance registration required
