Last week, WRRC Director Sharon B. Megdal and Associate Director Jamie McEvoy participated in several events at the AWRA, UCOWR, and NIWR 60th Anniversary Joint Water Resources Conference in St. Louis, Missouri. Megdal was on a panel titled “Groundwater Management, Science and Policy in the Western US.” Her comments highlighted how Arizona’s establishment of Active Management Areas in 1980 to regulate groundwater in the “sun corridor” provided lessons for groundwater management in other regions, including California’s 2014 Sustainable Groundwater Management Act. She also discussed her involvement in the Governor’s Water Policy Council, which published a report in January 2024. Other panelists provided insights on groundwater management from California (Helen Dahlke), Colorado (Craig Cotton and Ryan Smith), New Mexico (Robert Sabie), and Texas (Lucas Gregory). Karen Schlatter, Interim Director for the Colorado Water Center, moderated the panel. Meanwhile, McEvoy presented her research on Ecological Drought in a session titled “Drought Monitoring and Modeling” and participated in meetings of the Western Water Network, which has a newly funded Western Extension/Education and Research Activity (WERA) under the auspices of the Western Association of Agricultural Experiment Station Directors. As mentioned in last week’s Weekly Wave, Megdal was honored with an AWRA Member Fellow Award and delivered remarks on behalf of the National Institutes for Water Resources (NIWR) as part of the 60th anniversary celebration.
Image: Jamie McEvoy. "Groundwater Management, Science and Policy in the Western US" Panelists
- 2021 Arroyo: Arizona Groundwater Management – Past, Present and Future
- Governor’s Water Policy Council Report
- Ecological Drought Vulnerability Framework Paper
- Western Water Network
University Reauthorizes the WRRC
In September, the University of Arizona officially reauthorized the WRRC for the seven-year period through Fiscal Year 2032. To continue operating, U of A units must undergo periodic reviews; the previous review was carried out in 2018. The WRRC is also reviewed periodically by the US Geological Survey (USGS) as one of the 54 federally authorized Water Resources Research Institutes pursuant to the Water Resources Research Act of 1964 as amended. The WRRC provided detailed documentation of efforts and accomplishments to USGS for their recent review and, in March, received an "outstanding" rating. Based on the comprehensive documentation from the in-depth federal review, the U of A administration waived its usual extensive reauthorization review process. The reauthorization letter from Peter W. Reiners, Interim Associate Vice President, Research Centers & Institutes, Research, Innovation, and Impact, dated September 27, stated that it is clear, “the Water Resources Research Center (WRRC) plays an important role at the University and in our communities, has a robust administrative structure and function, and has strong strategic and resource plans in place to continue its positive impacts.”
Jennifer McIntosh Named Inaugural Meixner Endowed Professor
The University of Arizona College of Science has selected Jennifer McIntosh as the inaugural Dr. Thomas Meixner Endowed Professor in Hydrology & Atmospheric Sciences. Meixner, who was tragically shot and killed on campus on October 5, 2022, was a renowned hydrologist, beloved professor, and former head of the Department of Hydrology and Atmospheric Sciences (HAS). The endowed professorship was established as a tribute to Meixner and his legacy of research and mentorship. Jennifer McIntosh is a U of A professor of geosciences, associate head of HAS, and a University Distinguished Scholar. Meixner recruited her to the U of A in 2006 and mentored her. They established a joint hydrochemistry lab, taught classes together, and collaborated on watershed biogeochemistry research. Meixner’s wife, Kathleen, supported this selection, saying “Tom highly respected Dr. McIntosh as a colleague, fellow teacher, and friend. Her impact on the field of hydrogeochemistry is profound, and we hope that this professorship will continue to support her outstanding work and contributions to her field and community.” College of Science Dean Carmala Garzione shared a similar sentiment, remarking, "Dr. Meixner would be honored to know that Jen is the inaugural holder of this professorship.”
Don’t Forget to Submit Your Photos to the WRRC Photo Contest
Calling all photographers! The WRRC is still accepting submissions to its 2024 Photo Contest. This year, we are returning to the broad contest theme — Water in Arizona. We invite you to showcase your talent by capturing anything from nature and wildlife to industry and agriculture, including people at play and work. It’s totally up to you — just make sure that all images somehow relate to water and are in Arizona. This year's categories include People/Pets, Nature/Wildlife, and The Built Environment, with the Special Category "Borders." We encourage you to use the WRRC's 2025 Annual Conference theme, Shared Borders, Shared Waters: Working Together in Times of Scarcity, to inspire your photographs. Photo submissions to the "Borders" category can be from any location; it is the only category not limited to Arizona. Winners will be announced at the 2025 Chocolate Fest in February (date TBD) and winning photographs will be featured on the WRRC's website. Photo Contest images will be used in WRRC publications and other outreach materials. The deadline to submit photos is December 20, 2024. Additional information and contest eligibility/criteria can be found on our website. We look forward to seeing your amazing photos!