ADWR’s Arizona Water Atlas, Vols. 1 and 2, Available
The Arizona Department of Water Resources has issued draft versions of the first two volumes of the Arizona Water Atlas; the completed project will consist of nine volumes. The Atlas is described in a press release as “a compilation of currently available water-related information for the State of Arizona.” Much water information is contained therein, to serve several primary purposes: provide an overview of state water supply and demand conditions; to be a source of water resource information for planning and resource development purposes; and to assist in identifying the water-related needs of communities throughout Arizona, particularly those outside the Active Management Areas.

Non-AMA, primarily rural areas receive special attention since such locations are in particular need of water information for planning and management purposes. The Atlas staff seeks to identify issues requiring further study, note water resource concerns facing rural Arizona communities and help find solutions. The Atlas is part of a renewed and more systematic ADWR effort to maintain a rural Arizona database.

That water is managed differently within the AMAs than outside AMAs influences the organization and to some extent the content of the Atlas. The introductory Volume 1 is followed by individual planning area volumes (Volumes 2-7) for each of the six planning areas outside of AMAs. Treated as a separate planning area, the AMAs are described in Volume 8; Volume 9 is a summary volume covering the entire state.
Draft versions of Volumes 1 and 2 are available on the ADWR website: www.azwater.gov Public and professional comment is invited; the atlas will be revised based on received comments. An electronic comment form is available on the website. ADWR plans to finalize the Atlas in early 2007, with printed copies and CD-ROMs available. For additional information, contact: Linda Stitzer, Atlas co-manager: 520-770-3815 or lsstitzer@azwater.gov

Discourse on Water
The summer issue of the quarterly journal Reconstruction: Studies in Contemporary Culture is dedicated to water; its theme is “Water: Resources & Discourses.” The academically orientated journal takes a philosophical or cultural look at the topic. A question asked in its introduction is: “Is there a field of knowledge, a sector of the economy, a practice of everyday life that is not quickened by water and its multifarious uses and significations?” The issue intends to attract the attention of water professionals who will find a nontraditional approach to their interests. The issue is available on-line at http://reconstruction.eserver.org/063/contents.shtml

Research Publications and Presentations on the Binational Upper San Pedro River Basin, Arizona/Sonora 1997-2006
The University of Arizona’s Udall Center for Studies in Public Policy
The above bibliography provides a chronology and synopsis of research on the Upper San Pedro River basin published by Udall Center researchers and their collaborators over the past decade. The documents explore the roots of conflict and cooperation in the basin, focusing on water resources management as identified and examined during the Center’s engagement in the region. Much of the research was prompted by an interest in maximizing opportunities for cross-border cooperation and stakeholder involvement. Researchers interested in these topics, either in the San Pedro River basin or other watersheds, will find the bibliography a useful introductory guide. The document is available at the Udall web site: http://udallcenter.arizona.edu