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A research and extension unit of the

College of Agriculture and Life Sciences

Engagement
May 13, 2022

Stressed Colorado River Makes News

In the last few weeks, most major and local news outlets have raised alarms about conditions in the Colorado River Basin and steep declines in river flows. A week ago, the Deputy Chief of Boulder Canyon Operations for the US Bureau of Reclamation held a briefing with the Director of the Arizona Department of Water Resources (ADWR) and the General Manager of the Central Arizona Project (CAP) to describe the very serious situation river water (and power) users face. They agreed that more must be done through voluntary conservation and innovative thinking to bolster the river. In the previous news cycle, the big story was the megadrought that continues to grip the southwestern US. According to some observers, drought, climate change, and the potential need for rapid reductions in water use augur levels of discomfort and sacrifice unseen since the development of the Colorado River system. Even Tucson, with its high-priority water subcontract and millions of gallons of stored CAP water, will feel impacts if the drought persists another decade. The Arizona Municipal Water Users Association (AMWUA) attempted in its blog this week to explain what is going on and what it means to residents of the Phoenix metro area. Other articles in the Arizona Daily Star and Phoenix Republic, among others, have presented in-depth examinations of various aspects and impacts. Most writers acknowledge that there is still time to avoid the worst-case impacts, but changes in how water is used are inevitable.  Recent articles, including an op-ed from ADWR Director Tom Buschatzke and CAP General Manager Ted Cooke are linked below.
  • The Latest Key Takeaways on the Evolving Colorado River Situation
  • Officials Concerned About CAP Water Supply
  • No Exaggeration: Record Lows at Powell and Mead Call for Drastic Action (Opinion From Tom Buschatzke and Ted Cooke)
  • Colorado River Drought May Be the “New Normal” and Living With it Will Be Costly
  • No Solid Plan to Stabilize Reservoirs as Water Levels Plummet
  • US to Hold Back Lake Powell Water to Protect Hydropower
  • Lake Powell Officials Face Impossible Choice: Water or Electricity
  • Lake Mead Falls to Unprecedented Low, Exposing an Original Water Intake Valve
  • Lake Powell Getting Influx of Water
  • Colorado River Named the Most Endangered in the US By Conservation Group

Recent News

Engagement
May 13, 2022
Stressed Colorado River Makes News
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Engagement
May 06, 2022
LSCRB Climate Change Impact Study Results Available

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Egyptian Ambassador Featured in Event on Egyptian-American Relations, Climate, and Water

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April 29, 2022
Upcoming Special Event: INHABITANTS Panel & Asynchronous Screening

As part of the WRRC’s Indigenous Water Dialogues, we are pleased to announce a special panel discussion of INHABITANTS: Indigenous Perspectives On Restoring Our World, as well as free screening for all event registrants. 

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April 22, 2022
WRRC Director Megdal Honored at IAH Commission Event

The International Association of Hydrogeologists Commission on Managing Aquifer Recharge (IAH-MAR Commission) held a meeting and plenary session at ISMAR11 on the evening of April 12, 2022. In addition to electing a slate of officers, the session honored individuals who had contributed significantly to the organization’s mission.

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Engagement
April 22, 2022
WRRC Invites Your Support: Sponsor Our 2022 Annual Conference

The 2022 WRRC Conference, Arizona’s Agricultural Outlook: Water, Climate, and Sustainability, is quickly approaching. 

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