Sustainable water management is one of the most challenging issues of our time, especially in the arid western US. Maximizing the benefits of water supplies requires careful measurement of availability and use. However, one important information gap is compounding this challenge: the lack of consistent consumptive water use data for irrigated agriculture, which accounts for the majority of water use in the western US. To date, access to this data has been limited and expensive, keeping it out of the hands of most water users and decision-makers who could benefit from its use.
WRRC - Greater depth, broader perspective for a clear water future
Following University of Arizona Guidance regarding COVID-19, the WRRC office will be closed until further notice. WRRC staff continue to work and may be reached via email as listed on our Directory. We encourage you to take every step to be safe and healthy. UArizona Cooperative Extension COVID-19 info. WRRC COVID-19 Articles
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.
2020 WRRC Photo Contest Winner: Adriana Greisman - On a Clear Day - Prescott 2019 (cropped)
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 Activities
33
ENGAGEMENT
ACTIVITIES
spanning from
Arizona to Israel
ACTIVITIES
spanning from
Arizona to Israel
7
STUDENTS ADVISED
in Arizona, national, and
global water policy
in Arizona, national, and
global water policy
11
PUBLICATIONS
including posted
materials and papers
including posted
materials and papers
12.9k
INDIVIDUALS
REACHED
Through engagement
activities (estimated)
REACHED
Through engagement
activities (estimated)
Brown Bag Seminars
710
ATTENDANCE
in person and via
online webinars
in person and via
online webinars
25 Speakers
including local,
national, and
international
experts
including local,
national, and
international
experts
210
additional
online views
following the
presentations
additional
online views
following the
presentations
Annual Conference
333
PEOPLE REGISTERED
for the 2018 conference
The Business of Water
26 Speakers
and Panelists
and Panelists
Spring 2018
AWR Newsletter
recaps key messages
from the
conference
AWR Newsletter
recaps key messages
from the
conference
18 Conference
sponsors
sponsors
Presentations
available on the
WRRC website
available on the
WRRC website
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.
engaged 26,650 students through
improved instructional practices
developed in Teacher Academies
improved instructional practices
developed in Teacher Academies
collaborated in binational research and engagement on shared aquifers
”invisible water: the importance of good groundwater governance and management”
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
May 5 12:00PM
Brown Bag
Brown Bag Webinar: OpenET – Filling One of the Biggest Data Gaps in Water Management
May 24 8:00AM
Special Event
The International Arid Lands Consortium Virtual Conference
To commemorate 30 years of collaboration on arid lands issues, the International Arid Lands Consortium (IALC) is hosting a three-day international conference on arid lands. A key goal of the conference is to underscore the value of the IALC mission
News
Featured News
January 08, 2021
Reclamation Article Series, Part 4: Arizona Basin Studies - Commonalities
Over the past three issues of the Weekly Wave, an article on each of Arizona’s three WaterSMART (Sustain and Manage America’s Resources for Tomorrow) Basin Studies (Basin Studies) was presented.
April 16, 2021
Collection of Managed Aquifer Recharge Papers Published
Managed Aquifer Recharge (MAR) has long been utilized to help meet water management objectives. In 1978, the first symposium on artificial recharge was held in Phoenix, Arizona.
April 09, 2021
Next Generation Leader at the WRRC
Ashley Hullinger, WRRC Research Analyst and 2020 Flinn-Brown Fellow, was named by BizTucson Magazine as one of Tucson’s Next Generation of Leaders.
March 29, 2021
WRITING INTERNSHIP - SUMMER 2021
The University of Arizona’s Water Resources Research Center is offering a paid summer internship for a student who wants to gain 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 a 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.
March 22, 2021
Water Drops to Water Towers
APW is celebrating Fix a Leak Week (March 15-19) all semester! In partnership with the Town of Gilbert, we’re using a Project WET lesson called Every Drop Counts to virtually bring meaningful learning to fourth-grade students. In this lesson, students measure a hypothetical leak and extrapolate that very small leak to observe how drops can quickly lead to gallons. If we measure an average individual leak of 2.4 teaspoons per minute, students can use math to figure out how much water that would yield in an hour (144 tsp), a day (3,456 tsp), and a year (1,261,440 tsp).
March 19, 2021
Panel Discussion on Regional Water Sustainability
On Wednesday, March 17, the Arizona Institutes for Resilience, in partnership with the WRRC and the Udall Center for Studies in Public Policy, hosted the first episode of the Water Solutions for Our Warmer World webinar series.
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.