The Arizona Republic started an in-depth series examining water issues in "rural" Arizona. The basic premise is that Arizona does not currently have sufficient water resources to support anticipated growth. There is concern in the valley that ground water pumping will adversely impact the surface water flows that provide water to the CAP. The series further examines how Arizona water laws allow "dry, wildcat" subdivisions in many unincorporated areas of the state. The use of water is a poignant topic. Prescott and Prescott Valley have recently purchased a ranch exlusively to pump groundwater to growing subdivisions, and the City of Flagstaff is considering similar measures. How should Arizonal manage our water resources to ensure continued, equitable distribution? The Republic stories, now archived, are
Here
Update: The Daily Sun ran a story today about BOR and ADWR conducting a comprehensive study on water availability in Northern Arizona.
Update 2: Today’s Daily Sun discusses the possibility that the Colorado River will drastically drop in production of water and power this century.
