ADWR - Publications

This section contains all Publications ADWR currently has available online. If you do not find the correct document here, try the [Forms] section. Files are in Acrobat .pdf format unless otherwise noted.

Newest Publications

East Valley Water Forum Scenarios for the East Salt River Valley Sub-basin an Application of the Regional Groundwater Flow Model of the Salt River Valley, Arizona - Modeling Report No. 17. The Arizona Department of Water Resources Salt River Valley 1983-2002 groundwater flow model was used to run predictive scenarios developed by the East Valley Water Forum for the East Salt River Valley sub-basin portion of the Phoenix AMA.

This report model 17 (7.5MB) documents the assumptions used in the predictive scenarios and the results. The scenarios were designed to provide information for the development of a water management plan by the East Valley Water Forum. The three scenarios include a “business as usual” scenario, a balance between pumping and recharge scenario, and the last scenario looked at possible solutions to reducing the major cones of depression predicted by the first two scenarios.
Analysis of Historic Water Level Data Related to Proposed Assured Water Supply Physical Availability Criteria for the Santa Cruz Active Management Area Santa Cruz and Pima County, Arizona – Modeling Report No. 18. Proposed new groundwater withdrawals for Assured Water Supply (AWS) purposes in the Santa Cruz AMA must be consistent with the AMA’s dual water management goals of maintaining safe-yield and preventing local water tables from experiencing long-term declines (A.R.S. 45.562.C).

This report model 18 (1.14MB) presents an analysis of available groundwater level data for the Santa Cruz AMA. The analysis includes the calculation of average historical water levels and standard deviations that will be used to evaluate the potential impacts of proposed new AWS withdrawals.
Santa Cruz AMA Groundwater Flow Model - Modeling Report No. 14 - The Arizona Department of Water Resources has developed a regional groundwater flow model of the Santa Cruz Active Management Area that covers a reach of the effluent-dominated Santa Cruz River in southern Arizona.

The model_14 (5.4MB) was developed as a tool to better understand the complex and interdependent stream-aquifer system, and to provide guidance for the management of regional water resources. Water management topics relevant to the Santa Cruz AMA include bi-national water issues and the reliability of water supplies.
Santa Cruz AMA Groundwater Flow Model – Modeling Report No. 15 -The Arizona Department of Water Resources has developed a regional groundwater flow model of the Santa Cruz Active Management Area that covers the “Microbasin” reach of the Santa Cruz River in southern Arizona from the International Boundary to the Nogales International Wastewater Treatment Plant.

The model_15 (5MB) was developed as a tool to better understand the complex and interdependent stream-aquifer system, and to provide guidance for the management of regional water resources. Water management topics relevant to the Santa Cruz AMA include bi-national water issues and the reliability of water supplies.

Salt River Valley Model Geology Update (Provisional Report)

This report documents the Arizona Department of Water Resources recent update of the geologic framework of its Salt River Valley (SRV) groundwater flow model. The purpose of the geology update was to incorporate new geologic information from active growth areas within the model area, and to better define geologic interpretations throughout the model area. The new geologic structure information will be integrated into an ongoing model update that also includes expansion of the model area, re-discretization of the grid into .5 sq. mi. cells, extension of the transient calibration period, enhancement of the stream-flow routing network and the potential addition of subsidence simulation capabilities.

ADWR_SRVmodel_Geology_update_10_18_06.zip

This zip file contains the geology update report, figures and appendices in PDF format along with accompanying databases and text files.
Salt River Valley Coop. Study.pdf The Salt River Valley Cooperative Study Modeling Effort, Long et al. (June 1982)

Prescott AMA Groundwater Flow Model Update Report (Oct 31, 2006)

In 2005, the Arizona Department of Water Resources contracted with Northern Arizona University to update the Department’s groundwater flow model of the Prescott Active Management Area. The specific objectives of the model update included 1) the extension of the model area to include the “Mint Wash” area, 2) re-define the geologic structure in portions of the model area based on newly available data, 3) re-evaluate model parameters based on newly available data, and 4) extend the transient simulation period to include the years 1999-2004.

ADWR_Prescott_model_update_report_Oct3106.pdf

Upper San Pedro Basin AMA Review

Arizona Department of Water Resources Director Herb Guenther has determined the Upper San Pedro Basin will not be declared an Active Management Area (AMA).

The director based his determination on findings that there are sufficient groundwater supplies in the Basin to meet future municipal, agricultural, and industrial needs. In addition, there is no evidence of land subsidence or fissuring, or that groundwater use is resulting in water quality degradation in the Basin.

According to state law, the director may propose to designate an AMA if any of the following criteria are met: 1) active management practices are necessary to preserve the existing supply of groundwater for future needs; 2) land subsidence or fissuring is endangering property or potential groundwater storage capacity; and 3) use of groundwater is resulting in actual or threatened water quality degradation.

The full ADWR report consists of two documents -

- The Upper San Pedro Basin AMA Review Report (a large PDF file - 26 MB). Attention dial-up Internet users: The above file will take over 1 hour to download.

    For easier downloading, this report is divided into:
    Report (15 MB)
    Attention dial-up Internet users: The above file will take over 30 minutes to download.
    Appendices (11 MB)
    Attention dial-up Internet users: The above file will take over 25 minutes to download.

- The Upper San Pedro Basin Groundwater Resources Report (21 MB)
Attention dial-up Internet users: The above file will take over 45 minutes to download.

A full copy of the Upper San Pedro Basin AMA Review will be available soon on CD-ROM from the ADWR Bookstore.

Third Annual Phoenix AMA Comprehensive Hydrologic Monitoring Plan (31.7MB)
Attention dial-up Internet users: The above file will take over 1 hour and 10 minutes to download.

This status report provides the Phoenix Active Management Area (AMA) staff, the Groundwater Users Advisory Council (GUAC), and the general public with information on the progress made by the Hydrology Division in implementing the Comprehensive Hydrologic Monitoring Plan for the Phoenix AMA. This status report discusses the progress made since the Arizona Department of Water Resources and the GUAC approved the plan in September 2001. It is an accounting of the Monitoring Plan and includes the following:

A list of monitoring activities - 2003-2004.
The 6 tasks worked on.
Future Work and Planning.

ADWR Transition Report - 2002

The Arizona Department of Water Resources manages the state’s most precious resource. Our mission extends from licensing well drillers, assuring the safety of dams, and developing mandatory conservation requirements for all water use sectors to protecting the state’s Colorado River allocation and facilitating Indian water rights negotiations among tribal representatives, local interests, federal and state officials and members of Congress. For the last twenty-two years, the agency has been quick to respond to changing conditions, to identify key strategic moves to protect the state’s interests and to respond to legislative directives. Arizona’s water supply is more secure today than it was 22 years ago as a result of the efforts of a seasoned and effective staff within ADWR and the partnerships forged with Arizona’s water users and water providers.

ADWR’s long-term view of water management needs has served the state well. However, without adequate staff and budget, Arizona’s water management programs are severely threatened.

Governor's Water Management Commission Final Report

Governor Jane Dee Hull appointed a Commission in June of 2000 to review the 21-year old Groundwater Management Act and recommend changes if necessary to assure that the five Active Management Areas (AMA) within the State of Arizona continue to maintain a reliable and sustainable water supply to meet current and future needs. This report summarizes the activities of, issues reviewed by, and recommendations of the Governor’s Water Management Commission.

GWMC Final Report .pdf (2.4 MB)
GWMC Final Report .doc (5.6 MB) - Word 97®

Active Management Area Virtual Tours (updated 10-08-2003)

This section has been moved to the Water Management section under the specific AMA.

Adjudications

Subflow Technical Report - San Pedro River Watershed

NOTICE : On March 29, 2002 the Arizona Department of Water Resources filed a report entitled “Subflow Technical Report, San Pedro River Watershed.” The methodologies proposed in this report represent the Department’s recommendations to the court for the Gila River System and Source adjudication. The Department’s recommendations are subject to further comment by the parties, and review by the adjudication court. Please keep in mind the methodologies recommended in the Department's Subflow Technical Report have not been adopted by the adjudication court.

2002 NRCS Soil Survey of Cochise County, Arizona (Douglas to Tombstone Part) - (4.2 MB)

Publications & Reports

Second Annual Phoenix AMA Comprehensive Hydrologic Monitoring Plan (16.8MB)
Attention dial-up Internet users: The above file will take over 35 minutes to download.

A list of monitoring activities - 2002-2003.
A list of monitoring plan cooperators.
A description of future work remaining.

Phoenix AMA First Annual Status Report (1.7MB)

This status report provides the Phoenix Active Management Area (AMA) staff, the Groundwater Users Advisory Council (GUAC), and the general public with information on the progress made by the Hydrology Division in implementing the Comprehensive Hydrologic Monitoring Plan for the Phoenix AMA. This status report discusses the progress made since the Arizona Department of Water Resources and the GUAC approved the plan in September 2001. It is a full and complete accounting of the Monitoring Plan and includes the following:

A list of monitoring tasks - 2001-2002.
An accounting of all monies expended from the Phoenix AMA Augmentation Fund for Fiscal Year 2002.
An accounting for the distribution of labor for Fiscal Year 2002.
A list of cooperators having joined this project.
A description of future work remaining.

Update and recalibration of the Salt River Valley (Phoenix AMA) groundwater flow model 1983 - 2002.

View Technical Memo (1.6 MB)

Data Files (zip file)

Revised Groundwater Modeling Results for the East Valley Water Forum Regional Water Planning Study - (1,996KB)

Santa Cruz Active Management Area 1997-2001 Hydrologic Monitoring Report (6.7 MB)
In 1996 the Arizona Department of Water Resources developed a groundwater and surface water-monitoring program for the Santa Cruz Active Management Area in support of the management goal and groundwater modeling effort. The purpose of this report is to present the data gathered between October 1997 and June 2001. The report includes groundwater and surface water monitoring data, USGS stream gaging data, effluent data, gravity studies, historical water use and water quality data for the Santa Cruz River in Santa Cruz County and a portion of Sonora, Mexico.
Generation and Analysis of Likely Hydrologic Scenarios for the Southern Santa Cruz River by the Hydrologic Research Center - (32.8MB) HRC Technical Report No. 4
Attention dial-up Internet users: The above file will take over 1 hour and 10 minutes to download.
Professional Review of the Pinal AMA Groundwater Budget by Burgess and Niple - (963 KB) December 2004 (updated 12-16-2004)
Prescott AMA Modeling Report #12

Updates the original groundwater flow model for the Prescott Active Management Area. The model area covers about 220 square miles of the Upper Agua Fria and Little Chino sub-basins and includes the areas where most of the groundwater pumpage and recharge occur.

2003-2004 Prescott AMA Hydrologic Monitoring Report - This report presents hydrologic water-level monitoring data that have been compiled for the Prescott AMA for 2003 to 2004.
2002-2003 Prescott AMA Hydrologic Monitoring Report - The 2002 precipitation data for the Prescott AMA confirm that the prolonged drought conditions affecting much of the western United States also persist within the Prescott AMA.
2001-2002 Prescott AMA Hydrologic Monitoring Report - published August 21, 2002
Prescott Active Management Area 2000-2001 Hydrologic Monitoring Report - On January 12, 1999 the Director of the Arizona Department of Water Resources issued a final determination that the Prescott Active Management Area was no longer at “safe-yield.”
A Report on the Drilling of an Exploratory Borehole Near Strawberry, Arizona - A Hydrogeologic Investigation for the Northern Gila County Water Plan Alliance. The Northern Gila County Water Plan Alliance (NGCWPA) was formed to address the increasing need for a firm water supply for the northern Gila County area.

Well Owner's Guide - This guide provides useful information and advice to prospective domestic well owner's on their upcoming well construction projects.
Well Construction Estimates: 1980-2001 (updated 6-24-2002)
Table includes total number of Notice of Intention to Drill (NOID) forms received for:
- water production and monitoring/piezometer well construction and
- well abandonment and non-water related well construction

Caution: these figures represent only the number of notices received by the Arizona Department of Water Resources, and should not be taken as representative of the total number of wells drilled and/or abandoned between 1980 and 2003.

Third Management Plans 2000-2010 - all AMA's
TMP Adopted in December 13, 1999.

Third Management Plan Modifications - all AMA's
Modifications were finalized May of 2003.
Bibliography of Reports, Maps, and Bulletins - A list of publications, grouped by type and sorted by publication date.
Interim Surplus Guidelines Agreement - between the State of Arizona and the Metropolitan Water District of Southern California.
Interim Surplus Guidelines Agreement (1.3 MB)

Exhibit 1: Federal Register (148KB) Aug. 8, 2000 (Vol. 65, No. 153 Pgs 48531-48538).

Exhibit 2: Federal Register (117KB) Sept. 22, 2000 (Vol. 65, No. 185 Pg. 57371).

Exhibit 3: Federal Register (95KB) Jan. 25, 2001 (Vol. 66, No. 17 Pgs 7772-7782).
ADWR Report on the Final Decision and Order That the Prescott Active Management Area Is No Longer at Safe-Yield.
Preliminary Determination Report on the Safe-Yield Status of the Prescott Active Management Area - Letter from Director issued August 31, 1998

Conservation Related Information

Click here to find conservation related information including:

Water System Conservation Plans and House Bill 2277, Arizona Water Conservation Programs, Xeriscape Information, Water Wise Technologies, Watering Guides and Other Resources, Low Water Use Drought Tolerant Plant Lists, Plant of the Month & Water Wise Plants, Student Resources, Water Education for Teachers and more.

Floodplain Management in Arizona