Title: Aquifer overdraft and recharge issues in Pima County and Tucson, Arizona

Author: Leah Weinrich

Abstract: The state of Arizona has had a problem with taking too much water out of the Upper Santa Cruz River Aquifer than is able to be replaced.  The current overdraft is above 2.2 million acre feet per year, and more than half of that is taken from within Pinal, Maricopa, and Pima counties.  In this study, I ascertained whether the increase in population has had a statistically significant effect on the flow of the Santa Cruz River, and well water levels (and thus aquifer levels).  I also researched what the City of Tucson and Pima County were doing to alleviate the overdraft problem.

Key References: Daily Streamflow Conditions. USGS. Retrieved March 1, 2006, from http://waterdata.usgs.gov/az/nwis/rt

Hoffman, J.P., & Pool, D.R. (1998). Causes of sinks near Tucson, Arizona, USA. Hydrogeology Journal, 6, 349-364.

Long Range Water Resource Planning,  City of Tucson: Tucson Water. Retrieved February 20, 2006, from http://www.ci.tucson.az.us/water/longrange.htm

 

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Date: May 2006
Student: lweinric@willamette.edu
ENVR 327: Water Resources
Instructor: Dr. Karen Arabas
http://www.willamette.edu/~karabas/courses/envr327w