Please ensure Javascript is enabled for purposes of website accessibility

tom buschatzke

Jan 31, 2019

Ducey signs ‘historic’ Colorado River drought plan legislation

The governor and lawmakers celebrated passage of the Drought Contingency Plan bills as a “historic” moment that showed the state could work together to head off drastic water shortfalls on the Colorado River.

The Hoover Dam and Lake Mead
Nov 30, 2018

$100 million water deal will include $30 million from state, Ducey vows

Gov. Doug Ducey vowed Thursday to work with the state Legislature to allocate $30 million to water mitigation efforts so the state can sign onto a multi-state plan to stabilize water levels in Lake Mead, which could soon face a water shortage.

Nov 26, 2018

No Arizona drought plan in sight as deadline looms

After months of drought plan negotiations and as the deadline for Arizona to produce an internal agreement on water reductions nears, the state’s water interests have nothing to show for their efforts yet.

The calcium markings on the rock formations in Lake Mead, a Colorado River reservoir, show the impact of a 18-year drought on water levels. If the level drops below 1,025 feet, a state report says Arizona will lose access to 480,000 acre-feet of water from the Colorado River, or enough water for about a million family households for one year. (Photo by Alexis Kuhbander/Cronkite News)
Oct 29, 2018

Drought’s cost: Less water in Lake Mead, higher rates for consumers

If the lake levels dip too low, Arizona could lose about a seventh of its annual water allotment to the Central Arizona Project, which supplies much of the state’s water.

Apr 5, 2018

Water agency director insists lawmakers can give him forbearance authority

The head of the state’s water agency insists that, contrary to the conclusions of a legislative attorney, lawmakers can authorize his department to “forbear” the use of water from the Colorado River.

(Photo by Ellen O'Brien)
Oct 3, 2017

In the end, Arizona must speak with one voice

Coming to agreement on how best to marshal the state’s water resources and to create sustainability for future Arizonans is among the toughest challenges that leaders in our region can take on. Arizona has chosen to act now. We are opting to improve on the work of previous generations of state leaders to ensure that the word “crisis” remains banished from Arizona’s water lexicon.

Horseshoe Bend near Page is a scenic point of the Colorado River, which is a major source of water for Arizona. (Photo courtesy of Central Arizona Project)
Oct 3, 2017

Water conservation efforts avert shortage – for now

In the 24-month report released by the United States Bureau of Reclamation in 2016, the bureau predicted a more than 50 percent chance of a water shortage in 2018. This August, the Bureau of Reclamation report reduced that projection to zero.

The Colorado River is a major source of water for Arizona. The management of its supply involves numerous stakeholders and agencies.
Oct 3, 2017

No end near after 4 decades of water rights litigation

After 44 years, the adjudication of water rights in Arizona is still far from being resolved, and water policy experts say that resolving these competing claims is essential to providing certainty about water rights.

Lake Pleasant, located approximately 42 miles northwest of central Phoenix, serves as a reservoir in the Central Arizona Project. Photo courtesy of Central Arizona Project.
Sep 8, 2017

Water policy remake stirs fight unlike others in state history

With Republican Gov. Doug Ducey convening water giants into meetings this summer, it’s become all the more apparent that major water players in Arizona, namely the state’s water department and its canal system, the Central Arizona Project, are at odds.

The Hoover Dam and Lake Mead
Jul 17, 2017

Conservation district wary of governor’s proposals on water

Arizona water bigwigs are meeting with the governor’s staff in an attempt to unify the state’s voice on water issues and come up with new ideas to conserve and manage water.

Jun 8, 2015

Arizona water outlook not as dire as neighboring California

Gripped by a prolonged drought, Arizona faces possible cuts to its main water supply in the next 18 months. Residents, however, face none of the restrictions that neighboring California has imposed this year.

Hikers make their way along the banks of the Colorado River in Black Canyon south of Hoover Dam, Sunday, April 14, 2013, near Willow Beach, Ariz. (AP Photo/Julie Jacobson)
Jun 3, 2015

Arizona hopes for more control of its water as drought deepens in West

Arizona wants more control of its water resources as the ongoing drought in Western states brings the likelihood of further shortages to the region, a state official testified Tuesday.

Subscribe

Get our free e-alerts & breaking news notifications!

You don't have credit card details available. You will be redirected to update payment method page. Click OK to continue.