Arizona water study points to recharge challenges on Colorado Plateau
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Arizona researchers found that only a small share of the state’s precipitation becomes natural groundwater recharge as warming increases water loss to the atmosphere.
The Arizona Department of Water Resources published a June 25 summary of the Arizona Tri-University Recharge and Water Reliability Project Report. The full report was prepared at ADWR’s request and funded by the Arizona Board of Regents.
Researchers from the University of Arizona, Arizona State University and Northern Arizona University studied ways to capture rain, snowmelt and urban runoff before the water is lost to evaporation, plant use or snow that turns to vapor before melting. The work looked at recharge options under current water rights, laws and policies.
Researchers produced state, regional and basin-level planning data. The project does not name Navajo Nation projects or recommend work at particular sites.
More than 95% of Arizona’s annual precipitation is lost to evapotranspiration, which is water released to the atmosphere through evaporation and plant use.
To read the full article, please see the July 2, 2026, edition of the Navajo Times.
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I-40, WB @ Winslow