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A flag flies by the dome of the U.S. Capitol.

Water bills for tribes in Arizona to head to President Biden

Dec 23, 2022 The U.S. House approved the legislation on Thursday, just a few days after the U.S. Senate did.
A harvesting machine pulls pecans from trees at Green Valley Pecan Company in Sahaurita.

Arizona restricts farming to protect groundwater supply

Dec 22, 2022 The Arizona Department of Water Resources this week put a limit on the amount of land that can be watered, designating the Hualapai Valley as an irrigation non-expansion area.
Rare desert winter snow on saguaro cactus in the Catalina Mountains.

Winter solstice: Why isn't the shortest day of the year in the deepest part of winter?

Dec 21, 2022 It may be the day with the fewest hours of sunshine for the global north, but there is another source of heat to consider.
Tuesday’s press conference to announce the over $4.7 million USDA grant to UArizona to support and promote 'climate-smart' food production was held at the ENR2’s rooftop garden. The rooftop garden is an example of how native plants can be paired with solar panels to protect plants in an increasingly hot and dry climate while water evaporating from the plants cools and makes the panels more efficient.

USDA awards $4.7 million to new partnership with UA for 'climate-smart' food production

Dec 20, 2022 The funding will help farmers reduce water consumption and carbon emissions.
A Tucson Clean and Beautiful volunteer is putting mulch around a new tree in a neighborhood in South Tucson on Saturday, Dec. 17th. The mulch helps protect the tree from the harsh desert climate.

60,000 trees planted since start of Tucson Million Trees program

Dec 19, 2022 Tucson Mayor Regina Romero announced the program in 2020 and hopes to reach the goal by 2030.
After two decades of drought, parts of Lake Mead that were once underwater have been exposed as the lake falls to historically low levels.

More questions than answers at Colorado River water meetings

Dec 16, 2022 Talk at sessions Wednesday and Thursday has focused on cooperation between users to solve shortages.
Climate change has cut deep into the Southwest's water supply, and policymakers in the seven states that share the river have failed to agree on a plan to significantly reduce demand. That has left Lake Powell, held back by Glen Canyon Dam, at less than a quarter of its capacity.

The “power of aridity” is bringing a Colorado River dam to its knees

Dec 12, 2022 The Glen Canyon Dam faces threats that could soon render it useless after decades as a symbol of American engineering achievement.
The Verde River near the site of a dam that was removed in 2022.

The Buzz takes a trip down the Verde River

Dec 9, 2022 Meet a man who has made saving this unique waterway his life's work
This yard in Mesa was converted to desert landscaping under the city’s Grass-to-Xeriscape incentive program. September 2022.

As the drought grinds on, Maricopa County homeowners take advantage of xeriscape incentives

Dec 5, 2022 Megadrought and low runoff conditions accelerated by climate change have resulted in record low water levels in Lakes Powell and Mead
A Mount Graham Red Squirrel.

Population increase for endangered red squirrels in Arizona

Dec 3, 2022 State Game and Fish Department officials said that the annual survey estimates that there currently are 156 of the rare squirrels, up from 109 last year.
After two decades of drought, parts of Lake Mead that were once underwater have been exposed as the lake falls to historically low levels.

Deadline approaching for drought financial relief

Nov 28, 2022 The federal goverment has money available to offset the cost of the drought.
Lee's Ferry, pictured here, serves as the point where negotiators of the Colorado River Compact divided the river into two basins.

The Colorado River Compact turns 100 years old

Nov 28, 2022 The question is, is it still working?
Since the 1980s Tucsonans have replaced their green lawns with decomposed granite and opted for plants like palo verde trees and cacti, which can endure long periods of drought and extreme heat.

Phoenix and Las Vegas agree to get rid of decorative grass

Nov 18, 2022 The worsening drought brought the agreement from 30 western water agencies.
The Central Arizona Project moves water from the Colorado River to southern Arizona. July 2021

Ex-Reclamation commissioner to head CAP

Nov 5, 2022 Burman led the Bureau of Reclamation from 2017 to early 2021 under the Trump administration.
Water levels are at record lows and still dropping in the nation's largest reservoirs. The federal government began the process of restricting water releases from Glen Canyon Dam, which holds back a shrinking Lake Powell.

Feds want the ability to cut back on Colorado River reservoir releases over the next two years

Oct 28, 2022 On Friday, the Interior Department began the process of revising existing guidelines for water management in the Colorado River basin.
A canal carries water from the Colorado River to tribal land in Arizona.

Lower Colorado River reservoir evaporation the focus of new analysis

Oct 27, 2022 If implemented in its current form, the proposal would translate to significant cutbacks for users in Nevada, Arizona, and California.

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