The 2017 WRRC Annual Conference, Irrigated Agriculture in Arizona: A Fresh Perspective, will be held on March 28 at the University of Arizona Student Union. Arizona is facing the challenge of water demands outstripping supplies. Do we have enough water to sustain agricultural demands as our population grows, the Colorado River water supply-demand gap increases, and depletion threatens our groundwater aquifers? What are the specific challenges faced by irrigated agriculture in Arizona, and what advances have been made in agricultural technologies to address these challenges? Join us as we discuss and debate our options, including water conservation, changing crop mixes, and alternative water sources. Outside-of-the-box collaborative thinking is essential to pave the way for Arizonans to move into our future water reality.
Greater depth, broader perspective for a clear water future
![Image of Arizona Monsoon Storm](https://webarchive.library.unt.edu/web/20161226024239im_/https://wrrc.arizona.edu/sites/wrrc.arizona.edu/themes/ua_zen/images/wrrc-hero-1.jpg)
Greater depth, broader perspective for a clear water future
We tackle key water policy and management issues, empower informed decision-making, and enrich understanding through engagement, education,
and applied research.
Photo: Brian Powell (2014 WRRC Photo Contest submission)
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We transfer water research results and information to other researchers, water managers, policy makers, and the wider public through publications, conferences, lectures, seminars, and workshops.
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Forward:
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Programs
Focus on scientific research, education, community outreach and engagement with a spectrum of topics, including water management and planning, water conservation, water harvesting, and water policy.
Upcoming Events
![](https://webarchive.library.unt.edu/web/20161226024239im_/https://wrrc.arizona.edu/sites/wrrc.arizona.edu/files/styles/views_thumbnail/public/images/events/santa-cruz.png?itok=eRQGgvma)
Brown Bag Seminar - Agua Dulce
In early November, Tucson Water unveiled a plan that could bring life back to the long-dry stretch of the Sana Cruz River through downtown Tucson. Taking advantage of reclaimed effluent, effluent that now is sent downriver far from the City, Tucson Water hopes to return flow to the river within two years.
News
![](https://webarchive.library.unt.edu/web/20161226024239im_/https://wrrc.arizona.edu/sites/wrrc.arizona.edu/files/styles/shortandwide/public/images/news/girl-umbrella.jpg?itok=bAQwVWzl)
During 2017, the Water Resources Research Center will work tirelessly to bring trusted water information to Arizona stakeholders and to share Arizona's water story with others. We will connect water consumers with natural restoration actions through Conserve2Enhance. We will bring the world of water to K-12 students through Arizona Project WET. We will train students and instill a passion for Arizona's water sustainability. And through our Water RAPIDS program, we will engage and help Arizona communities as they face extremely difficult water resource decisions.
![](https://webarchive.library.unt.edu/web/20161226024239im_/https://wrrc.arizona.edu/sites/wrrc.arizona.edu/files/styles/views_thumbnail/public/images/news/hungary.png?itok=S3JqDUqH)
WRRC Director Sharon B. Megdal and Udall Center for Studies in Public Policy Director Robert Varady participated in the Budapest Water Summit, which was held November 28-30, 2016 in Budapest, Hungary. The Summit, with the theme of "Water Connects", had a significant focus on the policies required to achieve the water-related United Nations-2030 Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs). In particular, Sustainable Development Goal Six calls for ensuring availability and sustainable management of water and sanitation for all.
![](https://webarchive.library.unt.edu/web/20161226024239im_/https://wrrc.arizona.edu/sites/wrrc.arizona.edu/files/styles/views_thumbnail/public/images/news/11-7-16-copper-king-2.jpg?itok=iojKwmPN)
Copper King's Water Academy students wanted to engage 4th and 5th graders in learning water concepts. These 7th and 8th grade students learned how difficult it is to balance inquiry, exploration, and discovery with structure and discipline when teaching.
![](https://webarchive.library.unt.edu/web/20161226024239im_/https://wrrc.arizona.edu/sites/wrrc.arizona.edu/files/styles/views_thumbnail/public/images/news/schwartz.png?itok=zTnC-8VO)
Kerry Schwartz has built water stewardship in Arizona through the development and delivery of STEM instruction as the Director of Arizona Project WET. Now, she has the opportunity to lead other experts in water education on an international level. This month, Kerry was invited to sit on the Board of Directors for the Project WET Foundation along with Thomas Atkins, Housing Program Director with the USDA, Richard R. Arnold II, Mission Specialist at NASA, and others.
![](https://webarchive.library.unt.edu/web/20161226024239im_/https://wrrc.arizona.edu/sites/wrrc.arizona.edu/files/styles/views_thumbnail/public/images/news/student-poster.png?itok=mioJ9wH-)
This year the WRRC is trying something new by focusing its 104b grants program on student research projects. The program, authorized under the Water Resources Research Act, Section 104(b) and funded through the U.S. Geological Survey, provides small grants for research that explores new ideas to address water problems in Arizona and expands understanding of water and related phenomena.
![](https://webarchive.library.unt.edu/web/20161226024239im_/https://wrrc.arizona.edu/sites/wrrc.arizona.edu/files/styles/views_thumbnail/public/images/news/groundwater.jpg?itok=iR69O7mR)
This fall groundwater is getting a surge of overdue attention from scientists and water professionals, who aim to raise awareness of this “invisible” resource. The Water Resources Research Center’s director, Sharon B. Megdal, has been involved in two separate but related activities aimed at promoting understanding and protection of groundwater.
![](https://webarchive.library.unt.edu/web/20161226024239im_/https://wrrc.arizona.edu/sites/wrrc.arizona.edu/files/styles/views_thumbnail/public/images/news/photo.jpg?itok=HnW3Ke12)
Photographers of all skill levels, are encouraged to use their imaginations to capture the theme of "Growing with Water". Submissions can be in either urban or rural Arizona settings... flowers to farms, backyard and community gardens to vast agricultural fields, urban landscapes to mountain hideaways, it's up to you! Get creative with interesting photo perspectives, unique detail shots, fascinating vistas, and people in action.
Online Tools
![Beyond the Mirage](https://webarchive.library.unt.edu/web/20161226024239im_/https://wrrc.arizona.edu/sites/wrrc.arizona.edu/files/BTM.png)
Beyond the Mirage
A full feature documentary that tells the story about the future of water in the west. From that documentary, make your own movie from hundreds of quality clips.
![Conserve2Enhance](https://webarchive.library.unt.edu/web/20161226024239im_/https://wrrc.arizona.edu/sites/wrrc.arizona.edu/files/c2e.png)
![](https://webarchive.library.unt.edu/web/20161226024239im_/https://wrrc.arizona.edu/sites/wrrc.arizona.edu/themes/ua_zen/images/logo_c2e.png)
Water Use Dashboard™
Get conservation tips, track water savings, and make your drops count! Connecting voluntary water conservation with community action.
![UA Water Network](https://webarchive.library.unt.edu/web/20161226024239im_/https://wrrc.arizona.edu/sites/wrrc.arizona.edu/files/ua-water-network.png)
UA Water Network
Water is one of our most precious resources and an ever-growing focus for research, innovation, and knowledge transfer.
![desert landscaping](https://webarchive.library.unt.edu/web/20161226024239im_/https://wrrc.arizona.edu/sites/wrrc.arizona.edu/files/desert-landscaping.png)
Desert Landscaping
Cultivate your knowledge of desert landscaping with this valuable resource for desert gardening.
![UA weather](https://webarchive.library.unt.edu/web/20161226024239im_/https://wrrc.arizona.edu/sites/wrrc.arizona.edu/files/ua-weather.png)