On June 3–5, 2025, WRRC Director Sharon B. Megdal and U of A Extension Specialist Debankur Sanyal participated in the 2025 Annual Water Resources Conference of the Universities Council on Water Resources (UCOWR) and National Institutes for Water Resources (NIWR), which was held in Minneapolis, MN. They were joined by project colleagues Mallika Nocco (University of Wisconsin–Madison) and Sarge Green (California State University, Fresno) for a panel discussion on the lessons learned from the Extension component of the USDA-funded project, which focused on the sustainability of groundwater and irrigated agriculture in the Southwestern US.

Water is important to all living things. In arid regions where water is becoming increasingly scarce, a crucial step toward protecting this vital resource is increasing awareness. One way that the WRRC has extended its public reach is through our annual photo contest, which solicits photographs that we use to promote our events, programs, and publications to bring about more water awareness.

On June 19, friends and colleagues of Ken Seasholes gathered to celebrate his retirement from Central Arizona Project (CAP) after more than 17 years at that organization. A well-respected authority on Arizona water, Seasholes began his career as a WRRC graduate student in 1993, and after moving on, he maintained his connection with the WRRC, collaborating on events and publications and ready with ideas and advice on a range of other activities.

In April 2025, Coverdell Fellow and WRRC Graduate Research Assistant Noah Rios was awarded the Margaret Vaughn Award for Outstanding Service to the Community at the Coverdell Fellows’ annual end of the year ceremony. 

The WRRC is pleased to introduce Katherine Marsh as its 2025 Arroyo Summer Intern. Marsh is currently a junior at the University of Arizona, studying Biosystems Engineering with minors in Mechanical Engineering and Environmental Science.

The WRRC is pleased to announce the publication of its 2024 Annual Report. The report highlights how, through applied research, outreach, and engagement, the WRRC continues to contribute to water resource planning, assessment, and capacity building, as well as expand awareness and understanding of water resource issues.

On May 20, 2025, the University of Arizona partners, conference attendees, and special guests honored Amelia Flores, Chairwoman of the Colorado River Indian Tribal Council, for her leadership and contributions to her community, state, and region, and, in particular, for her role as a defender and protector of the Colorado River.

The WRRC is pleased to announce publication of the 2025 Arroyo: Expanding and Diversifying Arizona’s Water Portfolio. This year’s Arroyo describes the many ways Arizona is exploring to develop “new” water sources for a secure, sustainable supply.

We are pleased to announce that Arizona Governor Katie Hobbs will be joined by Governor Alfonso Durazo Montaño of Sonora, Mexico, for our Day 2 Luncheon Program!