March 2025 Phil Williams interview – how I got started on the Stanislaus River and river management generally

Phil describes how volunteering at the Environmental Defense Fund to fight the Auburn Dam (see FOR report PDF), providing water management alternatives for that effort, and connecting with Jerry Meral. This came after he began with working on a large mine and became disenchanted with that, seeking out another approach to using his Ph.D. in water engineering. Jerry got Phil involved in rafting on the Stanislaus and it was a revelation – instead of looking at hydraulics in a lab, he got to see them close up and to experience the quiet canyon experience, which he fell in love with. His consulting practice, Phil Williams & Associates, grew out of these experiences. (Music: Little Idea by Scott Holmes Music – https://scottholmesmusic.com)