News

Each summer, people across the Southwest watch the sky for signs of the annual monsoon. These storms provide Arizona and New Mexico with more than half of their yearly rainfall, bringing much-needed moisture, dramatic lightning displays, and a welcome break from extreme heat. For weather enthusiasts, photographers, scientists, and curious community members alike, local events and activities offer opportunities to celebrate, learn about, and engage with others over the Southwest monsoon.

At the University of Arizona’s Spring 2026 commencement ceremony, F. Ronald “Ron” Rayner, a long-time friend of the WRRC and pillar of Arizona’s agricultural community, was awarded an honorary Doctor of Science from the College of Agriculture, Life and Environmental Sciences (CALES).

The WRRC is pleased to introduce two new students who have recently joined our team — Caroleine James, our Water Outreach Summer Intern, and Lauren Yeager, who joins us as the Arroyo Summer Intern and will assist in the development of our 2027 Arroyo publication. 

On May 12, 2026, WRRC Director Sharon B. Megdal presented a webinar for the University of Arizona’s Pinal County Cooperative Extension Agronomy Program, titled “Colorado River Updates: Shaping the Future of Arizona Agriculture.” The mission of the Cooperative Extension Agronomy Program is to serve the public by creating a link between Arizona residents and topic experts at the U of A.

On Wednesday, June 10, Kaveh Madani, Director of the United Nations University Institute for Water, Environment, and Health (UNU-INWEH) and the architect of the water bankruptcy concept, will present a WRRC Water Webinar on why the planet has entered the era of global water bankruptcy. Sustained pressure on rivers, aquifers, and freshwater ecosystems has pushed many human-water systems into a post-crisis condition where recovery is no longer possible.

The WRRC is pleased to share the Spanish translation of Arroyo 2026 – Borders and Water: Institutions, Investments, and Information. The Spanish version, Fronteras y Agua: Instituciones, Inversiones e Información, expands access to the publication for Spanish-speaking readers interested in shared water resources, especially in the context of the US–Mexico border.

As the Spring 2026 semester comes to a close, the University of Arizona Department of Hydrology and Atmospheric Sciences (HAS) is celebrating achievements by faculty members and students. The College of Science’s Galileo Circle presented the 2026 Copernicus award to HAS Professor of Practice Martha Whitaker and the 2026 Curie Award to HAS Associate Professor Bo Guo, who is also a University Distinguished Scholar. Galileo Circle awards “represent some of the highest distinctions the College can bestow, celebrating individuals who inspire students and advance scientific discovery in profound ways.”

Because water security is important to Arizona voters, the Arizona Clean Elections Commission produced video recordings of Inside the Issues: Water Security in Arizona, a transparent, nonpartisan conversation about the future of water in our state. WRRC Director Sharon B. Megdal joined water experts from across the state in short discussion segments that provide voters with the knowledge they need to make informed decisions at the ballot box.

As graduation approaches, we at the WRRC prepare to celebrate the accomplishments of the class of 2026. We are especially proud of the hard work of the graduating students who have spent time with us here at the WRRC, but we are always a bit sad to say goodbye. Congratulations to Ian, Noah, and the entire 2026 graduating class!

Each year, the US News & World Report ranks universities in over 50 fields of study based on research performance. In 2026, the U of A was ranked number two in the field of water resources. The U of A ranked #31 in water resources when compared to universities globally.