In 2016, the City of Tucson initiated a discussion about using reclaimed water to restore perennial flow to a portion of the Santa Cruz River near downtown Tucson. This action could support riparian habitat in the urban core, improve long-term water management in the region, and stimulate economic activity. The concept was well received by a multitude of stakeholders and Tucson Water began the tasks of bringing this vision to reality. In May 2019, perennial flow will return to the Santa Cruz River near Tucson’ Birthplace, and a new era of water management will begin.
WRRC - Greater depth, broader perspective for a clear water future
Greater depth, broader perspective for a clear water future
We tackle key water policy and management issues, empower informed decision-making, and enrich understanding through engagement, education,
and applied research.
2017 WRRC Photo Contest Winner: John Bartholow – Oak Creek Evening Near Sedona 2011
Real Impact
Get involved and see the latest ways we are making a difference.
Be Informed
Subscribe to keep up with our news and events weekly, quarterly or annually.
Arizona Water Map Poster
The Water Resources Research Center Arizona Water Map Poster is the latest in our series of reliable and concise visual representations of Arizona's water resources. This, the fourth edition of the map is the product of a design and review process that engaged stakeholders from across regions and sectors. The new map reflects the current state of water resources in Arizona, as well as a culture of management and planning unique to the state.
Outreach
We transfer water research results and information to other researchers, water managers, policy makers, and the wider public through publications, conferences, lectures, seminars, and workshops.
Director’s Water
Management Activities
Management Activities
50
ENGAGEMENT
ACTIVITIES AROUND
THE GLOBE
spanning from Arizona
to Israel
ACTIVITIES AROUND
THE GLOBE
spanning from Arizona
to Israel
16
STUDENTS ADVISED
in Arizona. national, and
global water policy
in Arizona. national, and
global water policy
26
PUBLICATIONS
published and posted
materials and papers
published and posted
materials and papers
22.6k
ESTIMATED
total reach through
engagement activities
total reach through
engagement activities
Brown Bag Seminars
490
ATTENDANCE
in person and via
online webinars
in person and via
online webinars
27 Speakers
including local,
national, and
international
experts
including local,
national, and
international
experts
Total
Attendance
expanded by
43%
Attendance
expanded by
43%
Annual Conference
280
PEOPLE REGISTERED
for the 2016 conference
#AZwawterfuture: Tech, Talk,
and Tradeoffs
28 Speakers
and Panelists
and Panelists
Summer 2016
AWR Newsletter
featured speakers'
Perspectives
AWR Newsletter
featured speakers'
Perspectives
Programs
Focus on scientific research, education, community outreach and engagement with a spectrum of topics, including water management and planning, water conservation, water harvesting, and water policy.
A binational collaboration
Throughout the Western US, population growth and expanding urban areas will increase water demand even as climate changes affect supply equations. Communities may be challenged to consistently deliver sufficient water to meet demands, obtain additional water supplies, and construct additional infrastructure, all while ensuring enough water for environmental needs and for cooling the urban environment.
Groundwater Governance and Management
Making groundwater more “visible”
Groundwater is a critical component of the water supply for agriculture, urban areas, industry, and ecosystems, but managing it is a challenge because groundwater is difficult to map, quantify, and evaluate. Until recently, study and assessment of governance of this water resource has been largely neglected.
Middle East Water
Facilitating communication and developing partnerships
Arizona, Jordan, Israel, and the Palestinian Territories are arid/semi-arid lands that face similar water challenges. The Water Resources Research Center has been working to facilitate communication and develop partnerships related to water management and policy in the Middle East. The focus has been on the critical water issues of water-stressed regions and transboundary waters.
Providing Water Harvesting Tools
Throughout the Western US, population growth and expanding urban areas will increase water demand even as climate changes affect supply equations. Communities may be challenged to consistently deliver sufficient water to meet demands, obtain additional water supplies, and construct additional infrastructure, all while ensuring enough water for environmental needs and for cooling the urban environment.
Upcoming Events
Featured Event
Water Roots - River Walk: A sunset tour to illustrate a new vision for the Rillito
The Water Roots series is a collaboration between the WRRC and Sky Island Alliance to highlight the work of our partners to secure water for natural areas in southeast Arizona.
Sep 4 12:00PM
Presentation
The Art of Building a Citizen Science Program
Arizona Water Watch (AWW), a new citizen science program offered through the Arizona Department of Environmental Quality, is designed to train volunteers to collect credible scientific data on streams and lakes in Arizona. The program uses innovative ideas like visually friendly forms, hand stitched cloth streams for teaching, micro video lessons, and crowd sourcing data techniques to reach many levels of volunteers.
News
Featured News
August 01, 2018
2017 Annual Report Now Available
The WRRC Annual Report highlights our efforts during 2017, including groundbreaking research on groundwater governance, antibiotic resistance in water, and stakeholder engagement practices; programs that foster sustainable water planning in Arizona’s rural communities, effective educational strategies; respected outreach to multiple audiences, and nurturing of future water resources professionals.
April 11, 2018
Student Research Recognized in Earth Week Events
It’s that time of year. In honor of Earth Week, students are showcasing their work in oral presentations and posters at events organized by their academic departments. This week the Department of Hydrology and Atmospheric Science held its annual El Día del Agua y Atmósfera on Monday and the Department of Soil, Water and Environmental Science held “SWESx” on Wednesday and Thursday. Several students with connections to the WRRC participated in both events.
April 09, 2018
WRRC Conference Videos Now Available
The Water Resources Research Center's 2018 annual conference, The Business of Water, held on Wednesday, March 28, attracted over 300 people from around the state and beyond. Topics such as public-private partnerships, water transactions, collaborations among businesses, philanthropic foundations and NGOs, and the linkages between environmental water and economic development were examined through the course of the day.
March 06, 2018
The WRRC is now accepting applications for: The Summer Writing Internship at the WRRC
The University of Arizona’s Water Resources Research Center is offering a summer internship to a student interested in gaining experience writing about environmental and water issues. The selected intern will contribute to research and writing for an issue of Arroyo, the annual WRRC publication that focuses on a critical Arizona water issue. Arroyo is recognized as source of objective, accurate and understandable information and reaches a wide audience that includes policy makers and water professionals as well as the interested public.
February 23, 2018
WRRC Brown Bag Seminars Focus on Atmospheric Rivers and Binational Aquifers
On February 12, the WRRC hosted Marty Ralph, Director, Center for Western Weather and Water Extremes and Researcher at UC San Diego's Scripps Institution of Oceanography to discuss Atmospheric River Science. Rivers of water vapor in the sky, which is how Dr. Ralph describes atmospheric rivers, are key to understanding the character of storm fronts and precipitation in the western United States.
February 01, 2018
APW Teaches Over 1000 About the Water Cycle at UA's Largest STEM Even Ever in Downtown Phoenix
The fourth annual Connect2STEM event at the University of Arizona's Phoenix Biomedical Campus was held this past Saturday. This year, the event increased its attendance by more than 1,000 people, drawing over 7,500 parents and children from around the valley to explore the wonders of STEM. Arizona Project WET is honored to have been a part of this incredible STEM event since the inception.
January 08, 2018
2017 WRRC PHOTO CONTEST WINNERS
We are pleased to announce the winners of the 2017 Water Resources Research Center Photo Contest. This year we gave photographers only two criteria - that photos be water-related and that they be taken in Arizona.
Online Tools
Beyond the Mirage
A full feature documentary that tells the story about the future of water in the west. From that documentary, make your own movie from hundreds of quality clips.
Water Use Dashboard™
Get conservation tips, track water savings, and make your drops count! Connecting voluntary water conservation with community action.
UA Water Network
Water is one of our most precious resources and an ever-growing focus for research, innovation, and knowledge transfer.
Desert Landscaping
Cultivate your knowledge of desert landscaping with this valuable resource for desert gardening.
