# Pete McBride - Witness to Water

Page: https://stenobird.com/podcast/mountain-prairie-with-ed-roberson-323217/pete-mcbride-witness-to-water
Text version: https://stenobird.com/podcast/mountain-prairie-with-ed-roberson-323217/pete-mcbride-witness-to-water.md
Podcast: [Mountain & Prairie with Ed Roberson](https://stenobird.com/podcast/mountain-prairie-with-ed-roberson-323217)
Published: 2026-03-26T21:48:00+00:00
Episode link: https://mountainandprairie.libsyn.com/pete-mcbride-witness-to-water
Audio file: https://traffic.libsyn.com/secure/mountainandprairie/Pete-McBride-4.mp3?dest-id=1600085
Processing state: not_requested
JSON: https://stenobird.com/v1/public/podcasts/mountain-prairie-with-ed-roberson-323217/episodes/pete-mcbride-witness-to-water
Duration seconds: 3950

## Resource

Pete McBride is a photographer, filmmaker, and author whose work has taken him all over the world, but at the center of it all is a river much closer to home: the Colorado River. He's been a frequent guest on this podcast over the years, and his work has consistently offered one of the most thoughtful and visually compelling perspectives on the landscapes and water systems that define the American West. His latest book, "Witness to Water: One Photographer's Mission to Defend the Colorado River," is a departure from his previous photo-driven projects—it's all words, and it brings together two decades of stories, observations, and hard-earned insight from time spent on and around rivers. In this conversation, Pete and I talk about the Colorado River—where things stand today, what he's seeing across the basin, and why this moment feels especially urgent. We discuss drought, over-allocation, and the complicated, often frustrating realities of water management in the West. But we also zoom out, exploring how Pete's perspective has evolved over time—from adventure photographer chasing stories around the globe to someone deeply committed to telling one layered, long-term story about a single, essential river. We also spend quite a bit of time on the more personal side of Pete's new book. He opens up about family, the influence of his parents, and a period of his life that didn't match the outward success people might assume. It's honest, vulnerable, and, like the best stories, deeply relatable. As always, there are plenty of wild experiences and hard-earned lessons woven throughout, but what stands out most is Pete's willingness to share the full picture—the wins, the struggles, and everything in between. Pete is also a talented musician, and the song you heard at the beginni…

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## Transcript

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