APW is so excited to be getting back into the field, with many of its 2023 Water Festivals taking place in February and March. This means there are many opportunities for the public to get involved and contribute to their communities at these fun-filled educational field days. Arizona Water Festivals help 4th graders across the state gain a deeper understanding of water in the Earth System and Arizona's water resources.
October 05, 2020
Updates on Transboundary Activities
The WRRC recently held a Zoom meeting to discuss issues related to water use and climate uncertainties in the Transboundary Santa Cruz Aquifer. The meeting, held on September 17, 2020, was organized by the WRRC as part of the Transboundary Aquifer Assessment Program (TAAP). The TAAP is a joint effort between the United States and Mexico to evaluate shared aquifers. Sharon B. Megdal, WRRC Director and Principal Investigator on this project, welcomed the audience, which included members of the Mexican and U.S. Sections of the International Boundary and Water Commission, the Mexican National Water Commission (CONAGUA), the Sonora State Water Commission, the Mexican Geological Service, and the US Geological Survey. Elia M. Tapia (Research Professor, Universidad de Sonora) and Eylon Shamir (Hydrologist, Hydrologic Research Center), both WRRC-TAAP collaborators, discussed past, current, and future efforts in the Transboundary Santa Cruz Aquifer, which include a hydrologic impact assessment that considers climate uncertainties and different groundwater management schemes for the Mexican portion of the aquifer. Participants provided input that will be useful to further binational TAAP efforts.
Also on the transboundary waterfront, on September 29, 2020, WRRC Director Sharon B. Megdal participated in a lively “coffee break” panel addressing US-Mexico Transboundary Groundwater: Withdrawals and Binational Implications. The discussion was hosted by the Permanent Forum of Binational Waters.
Recent News
January 13, 2023
USGS Coordination Grant Awarded for Measuring River Flooding Events
As Arizona’s federally authorized Water Resources Research Institute, the WRRC helps administer USGS-funded Coordination Grants under the Water Resources Research Act. Dr.
December 16, 2022
Water on Mars
To investigate connections between landforms on Mars to landforms on Earth, APW travels far into water education topics. Through a partnership with Flagstaff’s STEM City Full STEAM Ahead (FSA) program, APW is engaged in a year-long initiative with FUSD’s Shauna Cooper of Knoles Elementary to deepen science instruction in her fifth-grade classroom.
December 09, 2022
Rep. Jim Kolbe Remembered for His Service to Southeastern Arizona
On Saturday, December 3, former congressional representative for Southern Arizona, Jim Kolbe, died at age 80. He had served in Congress for 22 years, from 1984 to 2006, for 20 years as a member of the influential House Appropriations Committee.
December 02, 2022
Two New Publications from WRRC Staff
Two new publications have recently been released, featuring work from WRRC staff. Transboundary Aquifers – Challenges and the way forward, was published by the United Nations Educational Scientific Cultural Organization (UNESCO).
November 18, 2022
First Citizen Initiated AMA Approved by Voters
On November 8, 2022, residents in two southeastern Arizona groundwater basins voted on whether to put limits on groundwater use.