WRRC Summer Wave
June 27, 2014 
Volume 2, Issue 23

In This Issue:
  • July 10 Brown Bag: 2014 Monsoon in Southern Ariz.
  • WRRC Director Sharon B. Megdal Publishes NARDeP Policy Paper 
  • C2E Program Launches Conservation Dashboard

... And much more!


Upcoming Events
June 30
July 10
July 30 - Aug. 1
Aug. 5-8
WRRC Brown Bag: Dusty Dry to Sopping Wet? Summer & Fall Climate Outlook for Southern Arizona14th Annual Biennial Symposium on Managed Aquifer Recharge (BSMAR)
WRRC Director Sharon B. Megdal Publishes NARDeP Policy Brief on the Future of the Colorado River Basin

The National Agricultural and Rural Development Policy Center (NARDeP) published a policy brief last week from University of Arizona Water Resources Research Center (WRRC) Director Sharon B. Megdal.

 

"Facing an Uncertain Colorado River Basin Future" addresses in detail how the Colorado River is regionally allocated, and discusses how agriculture and municipalities can work together to close gaps between water supply and demand predicted in the 2012 Colorado River Basin Water Supply and Demand Study.

Dr. Megdal's policy brief poses a number of questions to assist Basin communities in planning their water futures, and calls for each community to examine its water management, infrastructure financing mechanisms, new water demands, interagency cooperation and stakeholder engagement. Click here to read the brief in full

Thursday, July 10
Mike Crimmins

Presentation: Dusty Dry to Sopping Wet? Summer & Fall Climate Outlook for Southern Arizona
Speaker: Mike Crimmins, UA Assoc. Professor & Extension Specialist -- Climate Science/SWES
Time/Location: 12 - 1:30 p.m. (WRRC Sol Resnick Conference Room, 350 N. Campbell) 

Mike Crimmins will provide an update on current drought conditions in Southern Arizona, as well as the prospects for any drought relief through the upcoming summer, fall and winter seasons. A discussion of the main mechanisms that drive weather and climate variability through these seasons, including the El Nino-Southern Oscillation, will help highlight forecast methods and confidence. A developing El Nino event has the potential to impact both the upcoming monsoon season and cool season precipitation patterns later in the year. An update on near-real-time conditions in the Pacific Ocean as well as seasonal climate outlooks will also be covered in this presentation. Note: This presentation will also be webcast live via GoToMeeting.


WRRC Director Sharon B. Megdal Serves as Expert Panelist at UN Briefing

University of Arizona Water Resources Research Center (WRRC) Director Sharon B. Megdal participated in a panel briefing at the United Nations last week on potential solutions to global water challenges. The Jewish National Fund (JNF) and its partners arranged the "Every Drop of Water Makes a Difference" briefing in New York, to discuss water-related issues affecting arid countries with 250 members of Non-Governmental Organizations (NGOs) and U.N. representatives. Dr. Megdal's presentation focused on how transboundary water challenges in the Middle East parallel those in other parts of the world. According to Dr. Megdal, the range of water supply solutions is the same across the globe: reuse, conservation, good governance, desalination, aquifer recharge and more. Learn more about the briefing here.


UA and WRRC Staff Present at 2014 UCOWR Conference at Tufts University

WRRC and University of Arizona researchers gave several presentations last week at the Universities Council on Water Resources (UCOWR) 2014 Annual Conference, "Water Systems, Science, and Society Under Global Change." WRRC Director Sharon B. Megdal, a UCOWR Board member, presented "Decentralized Use Of Grey Water and Treated Wastewater for Agriculture in the Middle East," and UA Prof. Bonnie Colby spoke on "Innovations in Water Banking to Reduce Regional Drought Losses." The WRRC's Kelly Mott Lacroix gave the talk, "Process design for effective stakeholder engagement in water management," while WRRC Grad. Asst. Ling-Yee Huang presented "Groundwater management and governance: A policy perspective," alongside fellow UA researchers Megdal, Robert Varady and Andrea Gerlak.

C2E Launches Free Online Water Conservation Tool: Water Use Dashboard
 

The WRRC's Conserve to Enhance (C2E) program recently announced that its new online water conservation tool -- the Water Use Dashboard -- is now live. The Dashboard is a free, easy-to-use tool for C2E participants to track and monitor their in-home water use and efficiency. A robust, one-stop shop for participants to learn about water resources, the Dashboard also makes it simple to track water use and make donations toward local environmental enhancements.

This free tool provides water customers with a wealth of information about their water use, tips on how to conserve, information about rebate programs, and the opportunity to donate to Tucson or other regional C2E programs. Check it out at conserve2enhance.org.   


 
New York Times: Arizona Cities Could Face Cutbacks in Water From Colorado River, Officials Say
WRRC Director Sharon B. Megdal is quoted in this article on how prolonged drought is affecting the Colorado River Basin.

UA News: Global Experts in Antibiotic Resistance to Attend Workshop at UA
WRRC Assoc. Director Jean McLain co-organized the Aug. 5-8 Antibiotics in Agroecosystems: State of the Science workshop. 

Arizona Alumni Magazine: Parched
This article examines how Arizona is adapting to the effects of climate change on its water supplies.
 
USDA-NIFA Launches Outstanding Food & Ag. Thesis Competition

 

The U.S. Department of Agriculture's National Institute of Food and Agriculture (NIFA), in partnership with the American Association of HIspanics in Higher Education and Texas A&M University-Corpus Christi, recently launched its Outstanding Thesis in Food and Agriculture Competition. The competition is open through Sept. 15 to any U.S. Citizen or U.S. Permanent Hispanic Resident who has completed a thesis that focuses on Food and Ag Sciences, between Dec. 2012 and Aug. 1, 2014. See full details here.

 

Keep up with WRRC News and Events on Facebook, Twitter and YouTube

 

Keep the WRRC in your news feed by liking us on Facebook and following us on Twitter! Get easy access to WRRC news, event notices, videos, photos, awards, volunteer opportunities, and much more. 

 

Past WRRC seminars, lectures and events can be seen on our YouTube page

 

Like us on Facebook to keep us in your news feed at facebook.com/AZWRRC.

 

Find and follow us on Twitter at @AZWRRC

 
"Catch the Rain" for Cash Prizes in the 2014 WRRC Photo Contest 

 

The WRRC 2014 Summer Photo Contest, "Catch the Rain," is under way now through Sept. 26! Photographers are asked to submit Arizona-specific photos this monsoon season in two categories: "Water in Nature" and "Catch and Reuse."

Submitted photos should tell the story of Arizona's uncommon connection with (and use of) the rain through interesting photo perspectives, unique detail shots, fascinating vistas, and people in action. Learn more, see photo examples, and submit photos here.


The University of Arizona Water Resources Research Center (WRRC) - a unit within the College of Agriculture and Life Sciences (CALS) - promotes understanding of critical state and regional water management and policy issues through research, education and outreach. The WRRC works closely with Arizona Cooperative Extension, a CALS outreach organization that  provides a statewide network of knowledgeable faculty and staff that provides lifelong educational programs for all Arizonans. For more information, visit us at wrrc.arizona.edu.