On August 16, 2021, the United States Bureau of Reclamation announced a Tier 1 Shortage to go into effect on January 1, 2022. This declaration of cutbacks in water deliveries was in accordance with established Colorado River operating criteria. Local, national, and international media have been covering the poor health of the Colorado River system for some time, with the shortage declaration bringing media interest to a crescendo.
Reflections
Riggs Lake, Mt. Graham, AZ. Photo: Heath Brown
A new commentary series, Reflections, by Director Sharon B. Megdal is replacing her previous Public Policy Review. Beginning with the March-April 2002 issue of the Arizona Water Resource newsletter, through its final issue in Fall 2018, Director Sharon B. Megdal penned 76 public policy columns focusing on a wide range of water topics. Reflections will be published several times a year through the Weekly Wave and they will appear on this page.
A complete collection of Dr. Megdal’s AWR columns, many of which remain relevant today, is accessible for viewing or download.
Reflections: On the Meaning of Water Resilience
Resilience seems to have replaced security in discussions of water availability. Because the term was appearing everywhere, I started thinking about the definition of resilience even before we titled the WRRC 2021 Annual Conference
Reflections: Returning to the (Virtual) Classroom
Each Spring Semester I teach a graduate class, Water Policy in Arizona and Semi-arid Regions. This year marked my return to teaching after a one-year hiatus due to my 2020 sabbatical.
Reflections: On April 4, Easter, and the Earthquake
In 2021, the Easter holiday once again fell on April 4, which happens to be my birthday. This coincidence previously happened in 1999 and 2010. For different reasons, I think back to both. In 1999, Tucson, Arizona experienced snow on Easter morning.
Reflexiones: abril 4, domingo de Pascua y el terremoto
En 2021, el domingo de Pascua coincidió nuevamente con el día 4 de abril, que por cierto es día de mi cumpleaños. Esta coincidencia también había sucedido en 1999 y 2010. Por distintas razones, recuerdo ambas.
Reflections: A Reexamination of Past Water Wishes
Prior to beginning my series of Reflections essays, I published a column in each issue of the now-discontinued WRRC Arizona Water Resource newsletter.
End of 2020 Reflections
It is that season when we look back at the year about to end and ahead toward the coming year. What does one say at the end of this COVID-19 pandemic year? The pandemic changed things in ways we never could have imagined. We had to minimize or eliminate in-person interactions. Dislocation was experienced everywhere, including in the educational realm. Our lives were profoundly affected.
Reflections: The Importance of Dialogue, Process, and Participation
I write this after participating in the American Water Resources Association (AWRA) annual conference, which was held November 9-11, 2020. Though delivered virtually, the highly engaging conference had all the richness and much of the structure of an in-person event in terms of schedule and sessions, as can be seen by visiting the conference website.
Reflections: Varying Views on My Water Buffalo Symbol Question
In July I released a Reflections essay asking for feedback on whether it is time to retire the water buffalo symbol.
Reflections: Relevance Today of Comments on Arizona’s Future from 1987
I have lived in Arizona for close to 42 years. When I moved to Arizona from New Jersey, where I grew up and was educated, I had no idea I would become a water professional.
Reflections: On Wicked Water Problems
Although my spring -summer sabbatical lecture tour did not take place as planned due to COVID-19, I did deliver more than a dozen lectures and participated in several programs and interviews.
Reflections: Time to Retire the Water Buffalo Symbol?
I am writing to invite your feedback on an important issue that came up at the Happy Hour discussion I hosted at the Water Resources Research Center’s 2020 Annual Conference, Water at the Crossroads: The Next 40 Years.
Reflections: Spring 2020 and COVID-19 – The Work Must Go On
This has been a spring like no other. Who could have anticipated how our professional and personal lives would be severely disrupted by the COVID-19 pandemic? Like most, in mid-March we at the Water Resources Research Center quickly pivoted to working from home.
Reflections: Being on Sabbatical During the COVID-19 Pandemic
This is the second Reflections on my Spring Semester sabbatical activities. While a sabbatical is intended as a time away from some routine faculty activities, it is not meant to be time off from professional endeavors. Faculty members must receive approval of their planned sabbatical program.
Reflections: Singapore – A Model for Integrated Water Management
I had the great privilege of visiting the Institute of Water Policy, Lee Kuan Yew School of Public Policy, at National University of Singapore the week of January 20, 2020.
Reflections on a Successful Israeli Conference Experience
As an educator, I feel fortunate to have opportunities to share knowledge with individuals of different ages, backgrounds, and perspectives. Recently, I organized a panel for the biennial WATEC (Water Technology and Environmental Control) conference, which was held November 19-21, 2019 in Tel Aviv, Israel
Reflections on the 10th Anniversary of the Transboundary Aquifer Assessment Program and the Importance of its Joint Cooperative Process
On August 19, 2009, the Principal Engineers representing the binational International Boundary and Water Commission (IBWC) signed the “Joint Report of the Principal Engineers Regarding the Joint Cooperative Process United States-Mexico for the Transboundary Aquifer Assessment Program” (Joint Report).
Reflections on Spring as a Time for Growth
Spring semester is always interesting due to my in-depth interactions with the students taking my graduate course in Water Policy in Arizona and Semi-arid Regions.