Water Resources

Climate change, rising populations, evolving social values, urbanization and changing consumption patterns for water present unprecedented challenges as well as opportunities. UArizona is known as “Number 1” in water resources science and policy across the globe.

Our research

A look at paleoflood hydrology

The Colorado River Basin has experienced incredibly large flood events in the past. Present-day river deposits can be used to understand the size and timing of floods that have happened within the region.

Global Ocean Circulation Is Speeding Up

The movements of water within the ocean basins has been increasing in speed over the last 20 years, a new study shows, conflicting with prior models of climate change.

Some Droughts Are ‘Perfect.’ Here’s Why

A "perfect drought" happens when major sources of water all experience drought at the same time. It was behind California’s dry spell early last decade, and a new study shows they go back centuries.

From Wastewater to Craft Beer

In an effort to find sustainable solutions for Arizona’s water supply, engineers are bringing environmentally friendly practices to the state’s burgeoning beer industry.

5 Things You Should Know About the Earth’s Warming Ocean

Climate change has caused record-breaking ocean temperatures, and that means more dangerous storms, trouble for coral reefs and big changes for our marine ecosystems.

Researcher takes tree-ring science underwater

See how one UArizona scientist has been using tree-ring science, called dendrochronology, to study climate using the growth increments in bony fishes like salmon and bivalves like saltwater clams. Weirdly, it works very, very well.

Studying Drought In An Enclosed Rainforest

The world's hottest rainforest isn't the Amazon. It's not even in the tropics. It's kept under glass in the desert of Southern Arizona.