On Wednesday, September 28, Central Arizona Project (CAP) representatives hosted a roundtable for state water users to discuss the proposed CAP conservation incentive program. Earlier this year, the CAP board said they would “work with stakeholders to develop a conservation incentive program that is consistent with [CAP] legal authority.” This roundtable provided an opportunity for stakeholders to share ideas and provide information so CAP can develop an effective program.
September 02, 2022
Recent Extension Conference Featured Engaging Keynote and Panel Discussion
The University of Arizona Cooperative Extension System held its annual conference on August 10-12, the recordings of which are now available. The conference is an opportunity for Extension personnel, representing a wide range of programs from throughout the State, to gather to learn about others’ activities and the opportunities and challenges for extension work in Arizona. On the opening day, WRRC Director Sharon B. Megdal participated in the panel, “Arizona’s Water Resources: Progress, Politics, and Possibilities.” Following an engaging overview of the “Hydroclimate of the Colorado River Basin” from UArizona Climatologist and Extension Specialist Mike Crimmins, Megdal gave a two-part presentation coving the importance of context for understanding the three “Ps” in focus for the panel: progress, politics, and possibilities in Arizona's water resources. Megdal also added another “P” for water policy, further framing her presentation. Tom Davis, general manager of the Yuma County Water Users’ Association, then joined the panel to share some of the real challenges facing Yuma agriculture and the State in light of the developing Colorado River shortage. Following Davis’ comments, Sharon Megdal returned for the second part of her presentation, bringing some optimism to the discussion. She detailed some of the opportunities and pathways to solutions for addressing the water challenges we face and emphasized that we all have a role to play as water stakeholders.
On Day 2 of the conference, Dr. Karletta Chief, director of the UArizona Indigenous Resilience Center, gave an in-depth keynote presentation on “Creating Connections in Indigenous Communities through Extension.” Chief described the work and mission of the Indigenous Resilience Center and how efforts to support the resilience of Tribal communities are facing different types of environmental challenges. She illustrated Indigenous frameworks that “decolonize research methods,” centered on Tribal data sovereignty, collaboration, and training. Chief noted that the “Indigenous process of research is more than producing new knowledge, it’s also about community, healing, and capacity building.” The recordings of Dr. Chief’s keynote presentation and the water resources panel are available online.
Pictured above: Karletta Chief and Sharon B. Megdal
Water Resources Panel
Karletta Chief Keynote
Recent News
September 30, 2022
CAP Water Users Roundtable on Proposed Conservation Incentive Program
September 23, 2022
Dr. Valerisa Gaddy Named 2022 MIT Solve Fellow
WRRC post-doctoral researcher Valerisa Gaddy has been selected as an MIT Solve Fellow for 2022-2023. Her tech-based solution, "IRRIGaTE: Irrigation Resources Reaching Indigenous Growers and Tribal Entities” addresses the difficulties of science and policy communication between Tribal farmers and non-tribal policymakers through a multimedia platform.
September 16, 2022
Thousands in Phoenix Living without Running Water
The Arizona Republic newspaper last Sunday drew on a recent report about plumbing poverty for a feature article on the subject. The report, co-authored by Kings College London professor and UArizona alum Katie Meehan, looked in depth at urban plumbing poverty in the United States. Meehan received her PhD from the UArizona Department of Geography and Development in 2010 and began her study of plumbing poverty while in Arizona.
September 16, 2022
Photo Journal: A Visit to the Upper Colorado River Basin
Last week, WRRC staff member Jessie Hampton visited family in rural southwestern Colorado. She stayed along Cebolla Creek, which flows down to meet the Gunnison River in Blue Mesa Reservoir, one of three reservoirs that make up the Curecanti Unit of the Colorado River Storage Project. Local ranchers use their water rights on Cebolla Creek to irrigate hay meadows. Jessie took photos of places she visited on her trip to showcase different types of water usage and management in the area.
September 08, 2022
Colorado River Days Flagstaff Launches September 2nd - 12th
Northern Arizona is celebrating Colorado River Days! Colorado River Days Flagstaff is a series of educational events to remind Flagstaff and surrounding communities about the importance of the Colorado River and all it has to offer