• Arizona Water Blueprint: User-friendly data tool visualizes complex water information for policymakers and the public.
• Arizona Groundwater Dashboard: Tracks key groundwater data, offering insights into vital but dwindling resources.
• New tools were created in collaboration with water experts and stakeholders.
• Focus on Arizona’s water challenges emphasizes the need for informed decision-making.

May 8, 2024 —The Kyl Center for Water Policy at Arizona State University’s Morrison Institute for Public Policy has taken a major step forward in promoting water stewardship in the state. Through a webinar yesterday, the Center unveiled two innovative online tools designed to increase transparency and understanding of Arizona’s complex water issues.

Data Power: The Arizona Water Blueprint.

The Arizona Water Blueprint positions itself as a one-stop shop for water resource information, aiming to replace the hand-drawn maps and scattered data sources that have previously challenged water-related decision-making.

This data visualization tool incorporates over 50 datasets, covering topics ranging from hydrology to infrastructure to political boundaries. It allows users, even those without specific GIS expertise, to easily explore and learn about Arizona’s water supplies and how they are being used.

The Water Blueprint was made possible through an extensive collaborative process that involved over 200 water experts, community leaders, and educators. This reflects a recognition that addressing Arizona’s water challenges requires collective input and informed decision-making.

Vital Groundwater Insights: The Arizona Groundwater Dashboard.

Groundwater is a critical, but often poorly understood, resource in Arizona. The Arizona Groundwater Dashboard offers unprecedented clarity on this issue by providing key metrics for all 51 groundwater basins in the state. Users can track:

• Rates of groundwater level change
• Water use distribution by sector
• Well installation trends
• Depths of new wells and overall depth to groundwater

This data is crucial for understanding the long-term sustainability of Arizona’s groundwater resources. Over-reliance on groundwater has severe implications, including land subsidence, and ultimately, an irreversible loss of storage capacity.

Addressing Arizona’s Water Challenges.

The Kyl Center’s new tools come at a time when Arizona’s water future is under intense scrutiny. Prolonged drought and population growth put continuous pressure on the state’s finite water supplies. In this context, informed debate and data-driven policy making are more important than ever.

By empowering citizens, water managers, and policymakers with accessible, robust data, the Kyl Center aims to make a significant contribution to ensuring sound water stewardship in Arizona and beyond.

Learn More:

• Kyl Center for Water Policy: https://morrisoninstitute.asu.edu/kyl-center-water-policy
• Arizona Water Blueprint: https://azwaterinnovation.asu.edu/pillars/kyl-center

Image (Public Domain):

The 19,410-acre Aravaipa Canyon Wilderness is 120 miles southeast of Phoenix, Arizona in Graham and Pinal counties. The wilderness includes the 11-mile long Aravaipa Canyon, as well as, the surrounding tablelands and nine side canyons. Within the colorful 1,000-foot canyon walls, outstanding scenery, wildlife, and rich history are all protected. Seven species of native desert fish, desert bighorn sheep, and over 200 species of birds live among shady cottonwoods along the perennial waters of Aravaipa Creek. (BLM Photo by Bob Wick)