diff --git a/py_gnome/gnome/model.py b/py_gnome/gnome/model.py
index 0dc930f65..aa6abf98c 100644
--- a/py_gnome/gnome/model.py
+++ b/py_gnome/gnome/model.py
@@ -1229,7 +1229,7 @@ def release_elements(self, start_time, end_time):
         env = self.compile_env()
         for sc in self.spills.items():
             # release particles
-            num_released = sc.release_elements(start_time, end_time, environment=env, weathering_active = self.has_weathering)
+            num_released = sc.release_elements(start_time, end_time, environment=env)
             # initialize data - currently only weatherers do this so cycle
             # over weatherers collection - in future, maybe movers can also do
             # this
diff --git a/py_gnome/gnome/ops/default_constants.py b/py_gnome/gnome/ops/default_constants.py
index 0ffd097f7..1713e7ecb 100644
--- a/py_gnome/gnome/ops/default_constants.py
+++ b/py_gnome/gnome/ops/default_constants.py
@@ -4,7 +4,7 @@
 
 default_salinity=1.1
 default_water_density=1025
-default_water_temperature=283.15
+default_water_temperature=288.15	# 15C
 minimum_wind=0.01
 visc_curvfit_param = 1.5e3     # units are sec^0.5 / m
 visc_f_ref = 0.84
\ No newline at end of file
diff --git a/py_gnome/gnome/spill_container.py b/py_gnome/gnome/spill_container.py
index 25c49ded2..74e95fb63 100644
--- a/py_gnome/gnome/spill_container.py
+++ b/py_gnome/gnome/spill_container.py
@@ -872,7 +872,7 @@ def _get_fate_mask(self, fate):
         w_mask = np.logical_and(w_mask, self['mass'] > 0.0)
         return w_mask
 
-    def release_elements(self, start_time, end_time, environment=None, weathering_active=True):
+    def release_elements(self, start_time, end_time, environment=None):
         """
         :param start_time: -- beginning of the release
         :param end_time: -- end of the release.
@@ -892,7 +892,7 @@ def release_elements(self, start_time, end_time, environment=None, weathering_ac
             if not spill.on:
                 continue
 
-            num_rel = spill.release_elements(self, start_time, end_time, environment=environment, weathering_active=weathering_active)
+            num_rel = spill.release_elements(self, start_time, end_time, environment=environment)
             if num_rel > 0:
                 # update 'spill_num' ArrayType's initial_value so it
                 # corresponds with spill number for this set of released
diff --git a/py_gnome/gnome/spills/release.py b/py_gnome/gnome/spills/release.py
index 56f429787..dbd648554 100644
--- a/py_gnome/gnome/spills/release.py
+++ b/py_gnome/gnome/spills/release.py
@@ -36,6 +36,7 @@
 from gnome.array_types import gat
 from gnome.utilities.plume import Plume, PlumeGenerator
 
+
 from gnome.outputters import NetCDFOutput
 from gnome.gnomeobject import GnomeId
 from gnome.environment.timeseries_objects_base import (TimeseriesData,
@@ -45,7 +46,8 @@
 from gnome.weatherers.spreading import FayGravityViscous
 from gnome.environment import Water
 from gnome.constants import gravity
-from gnome.exceptions import ReferencedObjectNotSet
+from gnome.ops import default_constants
+#from gnome.exceptions import ReferencedObjectNotSet
 from .initializers import (InitRiseVelFromDropletSizeFromDist,
                            InitRiseVelFromDist)
 
@@ -407,10 +409,12 @@ def initialize_LEs_post_substance(self, to_rel, sc, start_time, end_time, enviro
         if sc.substance.is_weatherable:
            if environment['water'] is not None:
               water = environment['water']
+              temp_k=water.get('temperature')
            else:
-              raise ReferencedObjectNotSet("water object not found in environment collection")
+              temp_k = default_constants.default_water_temperature
+              #raise ReferencedObjectNotSet("water object not found in environment collection")
 
-           visc = sc.substance.kvis_at_temp(temp_k=water.get('temperature'))
+           visc = sc.substance.kvis_at_temp(temp_k)
            thickness_limit = FayGravityViscous.get_thickness_limit(visc)
 
            sc['fay_area'][sl] = (sc['init_mass'][sl] / sc['density'][sl]) / thickness_limit
@@ -622,7 +626,8 @@ def initialize_LEs_post_substance(self, to_rel, sc, start_time, end_time, enviro
            if environment['water'] is not None:
               water = environment['water']
            else:
-              raise ReferencedObjectNotSet("water object not found in environment collection")
+              water = Water(default_constants.default_water_temperature)
+              #raise ReferencedObjectNotSet("water object not found in environment collection")
 
            spread = FayGravityViscous(water=water)
            spread.prepare_for_model_run(sc)
diff --git a/py_gnome/gnome/spills/spill.py b/py_gnome/gnome/spills/spill.py
index d163d28dd..807947f0c 100644
--- a/py_gnome/gnome/spills/spill.py
+++ b/py_gnome/gnome/spills/spill.py
@@ -431,7 +431,7 @@ def prepare_for_model_run(self, timestep):
         '''
         self.release.prepare_for_model_run(timestep)
 
-    def release_elements(self, sc, start_time, end_time, environment=None, weathering_active=True):
+    def release_elements(self, sc, start_time, end_time, environment=None):
         """
         Releases and partially initializes new LEs
         Note: this will have to be updated if we allow backwards runs for continuous spills
@@ -457,10 +457,9 @@ def release_elements(self, sc, start_time, end_time, environment=None, weatherin
 
         self.substance.initialize_LEs(to_rel, sc, environment=environment)
 
-        if weathering_active:
-            self.release.initialize_LEs_post_substance(to_rel, sc,
-                                                       start_time, end_time,
-                                                       environment=environment)
+        self.release.initialize_LEs_post_substance(to_rel, sc,
+                                                   start_time, end_time,
+                                                   environment=environment)
 
         return to_rel