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April 26, 2019 / Volume 7, Issue 15
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WRRC Releases 2018 Annual Report
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The WRRC is pleased to announce the publication of its 2018 Annual Report, which describes the activities of the Center's programs and highlights some of the year's accomplishments. Available in conjunction with the report is Appendix A, which includes Strategic Plan metrics for 2018 and an accounting of our partnerships. Supplemental information on publications, presentations, and more are included in Appendix B. A
4-page brochure and infographic captures the year in a short, easily digested form.
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 New Possibilities for Energy Storage
On April 23rd, the WRRC Brownbag featured a presentation by Brian Studenka, Grid Development Director at ITC, an electrical transmission company. He described pumped storage, a project being developed by ITC that will recirculate water reservoirs between two systems to generate hydro-electric power on demand. The 2,000 megawatt storage facility is planned for an area located near Seligman, Arizona, giving it close proximity to three grid access points. The project has the potential to allow better integration of renewable energy into the grid because large-scale energy storage enables power utilities to meet their ramping needs more efficiently. Mr. Studenka described energy challenges in the Southwest where large, rapid changes in energy demand are common. He acknowledged concerns about water use and described the water resource needs of the facility, which include a one-time supply for 27,000 Acre-feet (AF) to fill the reservoirs and approximately 925 AF/Year to make up evaporative losses during operation. ITC is currently working with communities and reaching out to stakeholders to discuss various aspects of the project, including efforts to avoid and/or mitigate impacts to groundwater and the Verde River.
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UA Food-Energy-Water Research Showcased in New Video
A new video by the Institute for Energy Solutions and others at the University of Arizona is now available for viewing and distribution. Just short of 30 minutes, the video showcases UA research and related activities that are addressing the challenges of the food-energy-water nexus. It features the unique research resource that is Biosphere 2 and the work being done there, along with many other projects that draw on the combined expertise of UA scientists from multiple disciplines. WRRC Director Sharon B. Megdal is among those interviewed. The video is produced by One World Network. "Imagine Adaptation - Finding Solutions to the Food, Energy, Water Nexus" can be viewed on YouTube . One World is submitting the video for an Emmy Award nomination in the documentary category.
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NREC staff are always easy to spot in their signature neon green apparel. Here pictured with APW director Kerry Schwartz and Pinal County Water Program Coordinator Chuck Dugan are NREC staffers (L to R Jan Zapata, Loralee Wuertz, Jennifer Salcido, and Caroline Harbison)
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Volunteers have always been a critical part of our APW programs. For National Volunteer Month, we would like to honor some of our awesome partners. From Apache Junction to Florence and Casa Grande to the Town of Maricopa, the Natural Resource Education Center (NREC) has partnered with us to provide over 400 hours of service in nearly 20 APW Water Festivals over the last 5 years. In 1996, NREC began introducing Arizona's elementary students and adults to our natural and renewable resources, including water education and stewardship. What began as visits to local classrooms has evolved into a destination field trip to the NREC classrooms and irrigated gardens located on the Signal Peak, Central Arizona College campus. Approximately 5,000 students participate in NREC's six main programs each school year, acquiring 20,000 student agriculture/conservation educational hours annually.
NREC's six skilled presenters have been regular volunteers in APW's four Pinal County Water Festivals. We want to recognize NREC's commitment, and we look forward to continuing this valuable partnership to educate future students about Arizona's resources and water conservation!
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Hydrogeological History of the Gila, Salt, and Verde Rivers
As part of their Untold Arizona series, public radio station, KJZZ has published a piece by reporter Nicholas Gerbis, entitled, "The Untold Arizona: Tracing the Ancient Origins of Arizona Rivers." For the story, Gerbis interviewed Brian Gootee of the Arizona Geological Survey, consulting geologist Steve Skotnicki, and Arizona State University geologist, Steve Reynolds. The story describes the hydrogeological history of several central Arizona rivers and includes panoramic photographs of the Salt River with sliders that you can move to superimpose geologic information onto the photographs. It tells the geologic story of the basin and provides information to help people understand when and how the current river system developed. If you enjoy visualizing river hydrogeology and want to sharpen up your knowledge of Arizona's river evolution, check it out!
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"Reflections" - A Word from the Director
Beginning with the March-April 2002 issue of the Arizona Water Resource newsletter through its final issue in Fall 2018, Director Sharon B. Megdal penned 76 public policy columns focusing on a wide range of water topics. In October 2018, the WRRC compiled a complete
collection of her columns, many of which have remained relevant over time. Today, we are announcing a new series, Reflections, to be published several times a year through the Weekly Wave. Please enjoy Dr. Megdal's Reflections written in honor of Earth Day 2019, which features her opening remarks from the April 14, 2019 International Workshop held at The Hashemite University, located in Zarqa, Jordan. All Reflections can be found here.
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