Resilient Water Management in San Pedro River, Arizona
The New Mexico Water Dialogue on January 9, 2020, highlighted the importance of sustainable water practices in managing the San Pedro River in Arizona. The discussion revolved around social, economic, and environmental factors affecting water management, emphasizing the need to maintain water quality, meet growing population demands, and implement demand reduction measures. Various stakeholders are working on implementing recharge projects to address the region's long-term water needs and ensure the sustainability of the Sierra Vista Subwatershed. The focus is on maintaining a balance between economic development and environmental conservation in the Upper San Pedro Watershed.
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RESILIENT WATER MANAGEMENT: SAN PEDRO RIVER, ARIZONA New Mexico Water Dialogue January 9, 2020
16 Our Story
Sustainable Yield of groundwater Development and use of groundwater in a manner that can be maintained for an indefinite time without causing unacceptable environmental, economic, or social consequences -U.S. Geological Survey, 1999
Social and Economic Factors Sufficient water supplies for a growing human population Fort Huachuca remains operational and able to assume new missions unless for reasons unrelated to water Cost of living, specifically affordable housing and the cost of doing business, remains within the means of a diverse population Maintain local participation in water management
Environmental Factors Ground-water levels in alluvial aquifer maintained base flow and flood flows maintained riparian condition and springs maintained Regional aquifer storage accretion Sustain water quality
16 WHO: Sierra Vista, Bisbee, Cochise County, Hereford Natural Resource Conservation District, The Nature Conservancy WHAT: Implement a network of recharge projects to meet environmental, social, economic needs WHERE: 8 different projects along 25 miles of the river
CCRN Purpose (2016-2020): 10 ...to implement a regional network of water management projects that meet the long-term water needs of the Sierra Vista Subwatershed
B V B V Zombie Apocalypse CCRN Full Build Out R S R S Lacher Hydrological Consulting PA L PA L 1988-2075 Layer 2 Change in Groundwater Depth (ft): Compared to Status Quo H D H D
The Result 13 Collectively, this network of projects is predicted to sustain baseflows for the Upper San Pedro at or above 2003 levels, through 2075.
16 Lessons Learned
Lessons Learned 15 Define place- based and SPECIFIC social, economic and environmental criteria for sustainability
Lessons Learned 16 Base projects on the best science available. Then learn MORE. Ramachandra and Mujumdar, 2009
Lessons Learned 17 Find win-win projects with multiple benefits
Lessons Learned 18 Start small and learn first when needed. But plan strategically.
Lessons Learned 19 Resist simple water budget approaches for managing groundwater. Where we recharge can be as important as how much.
Lessons Learned 20 Implementing water projects is costly. Leverage limited resources through public/private partnerships Photo courtesy Sierra Vista Herald McCain asks for concrete ways he can help with river issue
Final Thought: INTEGRATED Water Management 21 Urban runoff Combining or coordinating separate elements so as to provide a harmonious interrelated whole Baseflows Floodflows Groundwater Effluent
