Arizona Revisits Plans for Withdrawing Water Reserves

Arizona has excelled at storing water in preparation for future droughts. The challenge now is how cities will access that water when they need it.

1 minute read

August 28, 2018, 9:00 AM PDT

By Elana Eden


Lake Powell

Wolfgang Staudt / Flickr

Arizona has taken advantage of its access to the Colorado River over the years to store more than 3.6 million acre-feet of water, making the state a national leader in saving up water for future dry spells. There's just one problem: how to get it out.

Some of the largest storage facilities in the state have no infrastructure to pump water to the cities they serve. As dry years and water shortages loom on the horizon, access to those reserves is becoming increasingly urgent. Tony Davis reports on the conundrum in the Arizona Daily Star, covering the practical and political questions facing the effort to create a new recovery plan by the end of this year.

Monday, August 20, 2018 in Arizona Daily Star

portrait of professional woman

I love the variety of courses, many practical, and all richly illustrated. They have inspired many ideas that I've applied in practice, and in my own teaching. Mary G., Urban Planner

I love the variety of courses, many practical, and all richly illustrated. They have inspired many ideas that I've applied in practice, and in my own teaching.

Mary G., Urban Planner

Get top-rated, practical training

Red 1972 Ford Pinto with black racing stripes on display with man sitting in driver's seat.

Analysis: Cybertruck Fatality Rate Far Exceeds That of Ford Pinto

The Tesla Cybertruck was recalled seven times last year.

July 2, 2025 - Mother Jones

Close-up of park ranger in green jacket and khaki hat looking out at Bryce Canyon National Park red rock formations.

National Parks Layoffs Will Cause Communities to Lose Billions

Thousands of essential park workers were laid off this week, just before the busy spring break season.

February 18, 2025 - National Parks Traveler

Paved walking path next to canal in The Woodlands, Texas with office buildings in background.

Retro-silient?: America’s First “Eco-burb,” The Woodlands Turns 50

A master-planned community north of Houston offers lessons on green infrastructure and resilient design, but falls short of its founder’s lofty affordability and walkability goals.

February 19, 2025 - Greg Flisram

Screenshot of shade map of Buffalo, New York with legend.

Test News Post 1

This is a summary

0 seconds ago - 2TheAdvocate.com

Red 1972 Ford Pinto with black racing stripes on display with man sitting in driver's seat.

Analysis: Cybertruck Fatality Rate Far Exceeds That of Ford Pinto

The Tesla Cybertruck was recalled seven times last year.

18 minutes ago - Mother Jones

test alt text

Test News Headline 46

Test for the image on the front page.

March 5 - Cleantech blog