News

The Arizona Department of Water Resources (ADWR) has designated the Ranegras Plain Groundwater Basin Arizona’s eighth Active Management Area (AMA). This designation follows the determination by ADWR Director Tom Buschatzke that the basin is experiencing severe groundwater declines.

The Bureau of Reclamation has released a draft Environmental Impact Statement (EIS) examining five options for operating Colorado River reservoirs after 2026, when current operating agreements expire.

On January 8, 2026, Arizona Attorney General Kris Mayes announced a settlement agreement between Arizona and Riverview, LLP, a Minnesota-based company that owns and operates two large dairies in the Willcox Basin in southeastern Arizona.

The University of Arizona students returned to campus this week, and the WRRC wishes all a happy and enriching Spring 2026! This semester, the WRRC will host several events, including webinars, partner events, Chocolate Fest, and the Annual WRRC Conference.

Please help spread the news—the WRRC is now accepting proposals for this year’s federal WRRA 104(b) grants. The Water Resources Research Act (WRRA) Section 104(b) program provides small grants for university-based research projects on water-related issues in Arizona. Proposals featuring student work are encouraged. The deadline to submit a 104(b) proposal this year is 5:00 pm MST on Monday, March 16, 2026.

Those who follow international water topics may be interested in a new publication by Dr. Pintu Kumar Mahla, a U of A Designated Campus Colleague conducting research at the WRRC. His recent paper, published in the e-journal Janus.net, is titled “Hydro-Diplomacy as a Strategic Lever: Comparative Insights from India and China in Regional Cooperation and Global Water Governance.”

The Central Arizona Project (CAP) has developed a comprehensive Colorado River Conditions Dashboard to help users understand current and future water availability. This interactive tool offers real-time and projected data on reservoir status, water supply, snowfall, and operational shortages for the entire river basin.

In celebration of its 125th anniversary, Tucson Water has launched a limited-edition sparkling water line designed to communicate the evolution of the City of Tucson’s water stewardship in the Sonoran Desert across the past, present, and future.

The Water Resources Research Center is deeply grateful to those who supported us in 2025. The generosity of donors helps fuel research, support experiential learning opportunities for students, and extend programs that transform communities. As we look ahead to 2026, we hope that you will consider supporting the WRRC to further expand this valuable work.