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2024 marks the 60th anniversary of the Water Resources Research Center at the University of Arizona. Find out more. | | |
IN THIS ISSUE: Reflections, Webinar Recap, Colorado River Update Recap, Factsheet, APW, ATUR Project | | |
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Reflections: On Networking
and My Path to the 10th World Water Forum
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I write this while traveling to the 10th World Water Forum, which is being held in Bali, Indonesia from May 18 through May 25. Networking is foundational to much of what I do, including my participation in the Forum. It is about establishing and maintaining the connections that are so important to my ability to access people and information. Similarly, networking facilitates connections so others can reach out to me.
Continue Reading
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2024 Eller Breakfast With the Economists –
A Discussion on Arizona’s Economy and Water Resources
Date: Wednesday, Jun 5, 2024
Time: 8:00 am – 9:30 am Arizona Time
Location: Westin La Paloma Resort: 3800 E. Sunrise Drive, Tucson, AZ 85718 (Grand Canyon Ballroom)
Speakers:
George W. Hammond, Director, Economic and Business Research Center, and Research Professor, UArizona Eller College of Management
Sharon B. Megdal, Director, UArizona Water Resources Research Center
At this year's Eller "Breakfast With the Economists" event, Eller’s own George W. Hammond and WRRC Director Sharon B. Megdal will offer analysis and insights on what to expect for the state economy and Arizona water resources in the future. The Arizona economy continues to churn out solid gains, even as concerns about water sustainability surge. Both population and jobs rose at a pace faster than the US in 2023. Income also continued to rise, outpacing decelerating inflation. Housing affordability remained low with elevated house prices and increased mortgage interest rates. Housing permit activity declined last year but outperformed expectations. Where are the global, national, state, and local economies headed next? How will Arizona’s water issues impact economic development and housing? Will restrictive monetary policy succeed in bringing inflation down without causing a recession? Will housing affordability continue to plummet? How much will manufacturing jobs rise? What role do local and state water policies play in all of this?
Register Here by May 29
More Info
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WRRC Water Webinar: Irrigation Efficiency Program: State Funded On-Farm Water Savings in Arizona
Date: Thursday, Jun 27, 2024
Time: 12:00 pm – 1:15 pm Arizona Time
Location: Webinar Only
Speakers:
Ethan Orr, Assoc Director, Agriculture, Natural Resources & Economic Development, UArizona Cooperative Extension
Robert Masson, Asst Ag Extension Agent, UArizona Yuma County Cooperative Extension
In this WRRC webinar, Cooperative Extension agricultural experts Ethan Orr and Robert Masson will discuss how the Water Irrigation Efficiency Program is designed to increase irrigation water application efficiency in crop production by 20% or more and provide info on how approved grantees will receive reimbursement toward the purchase and installation of a system from an approved vendor. The University of Arizona Cooperative Extension manages the funding process, including reviewing proposals, funding disbursement, and grant management. Over $2 million has been invested in cutting-edge irrigation and soil research. Those awarded will be required to report their data to further Cooperative Extension’s research efforts related to water efficiency, crop production, and impact on a variety of factors, such as crop yield, soil health, disease, and pest pressure. Designed to conserve our most precious resource—water—the program has already conserved 36,418 acre-feet, which is more water than 400,000 Tucson residents use on an annual basis.
Register Here
More Info
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WRRC Webinar Examines Transboundary Water Issues and Cooperation
Transboundary water issues and cooperation between the US and Mexico took center stage in a recent WRRC webinar. Featuring speakers Joaquin Marruffo and Claudia Gil Anaya from the Arizona Department of Environmental Quality, the webinar focused on the Arizona-Sonora Border Region. While managing this shared environment across borders can pose challenges due to socioeconomic and political asymmetries, it can also provide opportunities to work together. Institutions such as the Arizona-Mexico Commission, the US-EPA Border 2025 Program, and the International Boundary and Water Commission were discussed as some of the existing pathways for effective binational cooperation. The webinar also presented a case study of Ambos Nogales—the two cities of Nogales, Arizona, and Nogales, Sonora, which examined the challenges of transborder stormwater and wastewater flows between the two border cities. Several projects aiming to address these issues were presented. The webinar concluded by emphasizing the human component of cooperation and the need for communication, mutual respect, persistence, and patience.
Image: ADEQ
View the Recording
More Info
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AAWWA Hosts Colorado River Update
On May 22, the Arizona Association of Women in Water and Agriculture (AAWWA) hosted a Colorado River Update event in Phoenix. WRRC Associate Director Jamie McEvoy, Research & Outreach Program Officer Susanna Eden, and Communications Coordinator Jessie Hampton attended to gain a better understanding of the current situation and the process for developing Post-2026 Guidelines for managing the Colorado River. Lakes Powell and Mead are currently being operated according to the 2007 Interim Guidelines, which are in place through December 31, 2025, along with supplemental agreements adopted as temporary measures in response to changing hydrologic conditions. These include the Record of Decision signed on May 9, which modifies operations through 2026. The Bureau of Reclamation has solicited input for developing the Post-2026 Guidelines and has received proposals from the Upper Basin states, Lower Basin states, Tribal nations, non-governmental organizations, cooperating federal agencies, and others. Reclamation will consider these recommendations to develop a broad range of alternatives for analysis in a Draft Environmental Impact Statement. Attendees of the AAWWA event heard from federal and state government officials and water resources managers from across Arizona, as well as Nevada and California, offering a range of perspectives and illustrating the diversity of opportunities and challenges in the Colorado River Basin. The speakers’ presentation slides should be posted to the AAWWA website sometime next week.
Image: Erika Flores, Audubon Southwest. From Left to Right: Haley Paul, Susanna Eden, Jessie Hampton, Meghan Scott, Jamie McEvoy.
AAWWA
Post 2026 Project
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Did You Know?
The Apache Trout, an important part of Arizona’s natural heritage and a recreational and economic asset to the state, has experienced a resurgence in both population and habitat quality, thanks largely to conservation initiatives spearheaded by the White Mountain Apache Tribe. These efforts began as early as the 1940s, gaining momentum with the establishment of the Apache Trout Recovery Plan in collaboration with the US Fish and Wildlife Service and the Arizona Game and Fish Department. Comprehensive recovery measures included fishing restrictions and extensive stream renovations, leading to thriving native trout populations in Apache waters. Complementing this success, the Alchesay-Williams Creek National Fish Hatchery in Apache County focuses on breeding and releasing Apache Trout and other species into tribal waters across the Southwest. This conservation strategy led to the downlisting of the Apache Trout from endangered to threatened in 1975 and secured the long-term survival and sustainability of this important species within its historic range. To learn more about aquaculture and other water use sectors in Apache County, check out the Apache County Water Factsheet here.
Image: Freshwaters Illustrated
Apache County Water Factsheet
Arizona Water Factsheets
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Meet APW’s Newest Water Education Champions
Two new passionate Outreach Instructional Specialists recently joined the Arizona Project Wet (APW) team. Alexia Smith and Anastasia Silvares are rolling up their sleeves to join APW in their mission to create water-literate communities through hands-on and research-based educational practices for Arizona students. Alexia (Lexi) Smith is a native Tucsonan with a degree in natural resources and wildlife conservation. She has experience in field biology working with native reptiles such as rattlesnakes and Gila monsters, in addition to Tucson’s migrating bats—Mexican Free Tails! She says she loves her recent transition to the education side of conservation, knowing how vital it is to involve the younger generation in conservation efforts. Lexi states, “Without education and outreach, their voices won't be heard. Collaboration is key; by working together, we can truly make a difference!” On the personal side, Lexi is married to her life partner and is the mother of two beautiful kids. Anastasia (Stasi) Silvares grew up in a rural area in the forests of Central Florida, where she spent most of her free time outdoors. Her professional and personal pursuits are guided by her appreciation for nature, animals, and the arts. She loves to camp, hike, sculpt, paint, and explore events and places where she lives. Stasi has enjoyed working in many interesting fields, including photography, archaeology, behavioral health, zookeeping/animal care management, and elementary education. Her love of the natural world has directed her to pursue positions prioritizing environmental impact and education—which led her to APW! She is looking forward to a new world of experiences and growth. Lexi and Stasi’s passion and experience make them a wonderful fit for APW's vision and mission.
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Arizona Tri-University Recharge Project Newsletter Now Available
The Arizona Tri-University Recharge (ATUR) Project has released a newsletter outlining year one of the three-year project. ATUR is researching where and when water is available for recharge across the state. Project goals include identifying locations where enhanced recharge is needed, identifying land management practices that will best contribute to recharge, and developing a system for prioritizing recharge sites. To achieve these goals, ATUR uses soil and groundwater data, climate scenario modeling, and stakeholder engagement methods, among other tools. This ATUR project involves the collaboration of students and staff, within interdisciplinary sub-teams, from all three state universities: Arizona State University, Northern Arizona University, and the University of Arizona. A link to the newsletter can be found below. Members of the ATUR project team presented project research at the WRRC 2024 Annual Conference, and their recorded presentations are also linked below. This project is dedicated to the legacy of the late Professor Thomas Meixner, who laid its foundation.
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WATER JOBS & OTHER OPPORTUNITIES | |
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Please visit WRRC's website for a complete listing of water jobs and opportunities.
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NOTICES, PUBLICATIONS & MEDIA | |
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From the WRRC
Invitation to Participate in Cooperative Extension Listening Sessions
The University of Arizona Cooperative Extension needs your help! Extension is seeking public input to help guide future work throughout the state. Eight listening sessions will be held across the state, with food provided. Dates and locations are listed on the Extension website. Six sessions will be open to the public and two are reserved for UArizona campus collaborators. These are regional events, and we hope you will attend to share your thoughts and hear the perspectives of others. More Info
Other Sources
Call to Authors: Journal of Contemporary Water Resources and Education Seeks Special Issue Paper Submissions
Manuscripts can be submitted at any time. Most general submissions are published in the August issue which is designated for open submissions; however, general submissions may be considered for themed issues if appropriate. If accepted before the issue is published, the article will be published as a sneak peek on JCWRE’s website (https://ucowr.org/journal/jcwre-sneak-peek/). Manuscripts should be submitted by June 30, 2024, to be considered for the December 2024 issue, and October 15, 2024, to be considered for the April 2025 issue. Email submissions to Jackie Gillespie (crimjac@siu.edu). All articles are peer-reviewed. Please review the author instructions and review process for more information. You must follow the author instructions for your manuscript to be considered for peer review. Manuscripts for the Special Issue on Sponsored Research of the National Institutes for Water Resources are due June 30, 2024. Click here for the Call for Papers. Manuscripts for the Special Issue: Cultural Keystone Resources as a Nexus for Water Research Co-Production Opportunities are due October 15, 2024. Click here for the Call for Papers.
Opportunity to Comment on the Sixth National Climate Assessment
The public is invited to submit comments on the proposed scope and themes for NCA6, nominate authors, and submit scientific and technical inputs. Submit comments and author nominations through the USGCRP Public Contribution System by 11:59 PM ET on June 7, 2024. Individuals can submit scientific/technical inputs on an ongoing basis. Federal Register Notice
Lower Basin States Alternative FAQ from CAP
The Lower Basin States’ Alternative for Post-2026 Colorado River Operations would help ensure the river system’s health and sustainability for decades. Read the FAQ
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