For more than two decades, Central Arizona Project has been offering our annual CAP Award for Water Research, recognizing excellence in graduate and undergraduate water research.
Here, we’ll check out the research produced by first-place winner, Danielle Tadych.
First place: Impact of Groundwater Management on Drought Response in the Southwest, Danielle Tadych, University of Arizona
Abstract by Tadych. Co-authors are Bonnie Colby and Laura E. Condon.
Arizona is an important case study for groundwater management in the southwest due to the complexity of groundwater legislation, land use, and access to surface water. Groundwater levels have been declining across the state. However, where groundwater is regulated or where irrigation is supported by surface water, groundwater levels are more stable.
But is this true everywhere in Arizona?
And how do behaviors change during drought if surface water supplies are limited?
We provide a set of regional and smaller scale case studies on groundwater with different land use, groundwater management, and water portfolios. Our study is based on local well data of groundwater levels to better capture this heterogeneous system.
Data for the period 2000-2022 was filtered to include 15 years of data or more. Linear trends, anomalies, and maximum drawdown for each case were calculated. We define severe drought by using state-averaged Palmer Drought Severity Index and anomalies by subtracting the long-term groundwater level trend.
Our results show Tucson and Phoenix are experiencing less severe drought responses and increasing groundwater levels since 2000. Yuma, a productive agricultural region with senior Colorado River water rights, shows the least severe drawdown but decreasing groundwater levels.
However, high-priority subbasins like Gila Bend identified in the Arizona Governor’s Water Policy Council Report showed the largest decreases in groundwater and worst drawdown compared to unregulated groundwater pumping with little agricultural activity. These areas are groundwater dependent but have had increased agricultural activity in recent years, having concerning implications for sustainability.
Overall, our results highlight the importance of studying groundwater at multiple scales, enabling more holistic groundwater management decisions.
See the paper
About the Student
Danielle Tadych is a PhD candidate in Hydrology at the University of Arizona, where their research focuses on the intersection of groundwater resources and human-environment interactions. Specifically, their work utilizes satellite and well data to analyze groundwater trends with respect to drought, groundwater management, and access to surface water. Danielle holds a B.S. in environmental science and an M.S. in crop, soil, and environmental science from Auburn University. With plans to graduate soon, they aspire to apply their expertise to address local environmental challenges, whether through environmental consulting or in roles within state government. Danielle is passionate about integrating science with community needs and ensuring sustainable water resource management.
About the CAP Award for Water Research
The CAP Award for Water Research is intended to encourage and support water research by students in Arizona colleges and universities and to raise public awareness of water issues impacting central and southern Arizona and the Colorado River. Judging is conducted in a blind process by representatives of CAP’s popularly elected Board of Directors, CAP stakeholders and management, and other members of the water community. The first-place winner received $1,000 and second-place winners received $500.
