March 12, 2024 — Starting this week, the Arizona Department of Water Resources is beginning a large-scale project to measure the amount of water stored underground in the northwest part of the state. This project will focus on areas like the Virgin River, Grand Wash, and Coconino Plateau.

Groundwater is a vital water source for Arizona. This project will help officials understand how groundwater levels have changed over time. The last time a major survey was done in this region was in the 1970s and 1990s.

The information collected will be used to:

• Track how groundwater amounts change over time.
• Create models to predict future groundwater conditions.
• Make maps showing water level changes.
• Support water planning for the future.