Arizona has made huge investments in importing and storing water supplies for the major metropolitan areas, and those investments have significantly buffered these areas from impacts during the current drought. However, drought conditions over the past decade in some parts of rural Arizona have had devastating personal and economic impacts. The most urgent need for drought preparedness is in these growing communities in the rural regions of the state, where alternative water supplies are generally very limited and the economy is strongly affected by drought (particularly farming and ranching, recreation, tourism and forestry-related sectors).

ADWR's Drought Program takes a statewide approach to drought preparedness and response, but assistance is especially focused on rural areas through the programs and activities below. The 2009 Arizona Drought Preparedness Annual Report summarizes drought conditions and drought preparedness activities for water year 2009 (October 2008 - September 2009).

 

USDA Designates 13 Counties in Arizona as Primary Natural Disaster Areas On December 3, 2009, the U.S. Department of Agriculture designated all counties in Arizona except Yuma and La Paz as disaster areas due to drought. Yuma and La Paz will be considered contiguous disaster counties. This designation makes all qualified farm operators eligible for low interest emergency loans from USDA's Farm Service Agency.

 

 

Visit the Drought Status web page for information

on short and long term drought status.

 

 

 

Planning and Reporting for Water Providers

New state statutes established in 2005 require drinking water providers to develop water supply, conservation and drought plans. The requirements also expand annual water use reporting to the entire state (for community water systems). Water providers can visit the community water system web page for further information.

 

 

Drought Monitoring

The State Drought Monitoring Technical Committee gathers and evaluates drought, climate and weather data and distributes that information to land managers, policy-makers and the public. An important goal of the committee is to provide early warning of changes in drought severity. Drought status maps and Drought Monitor Reports can be viewed on the drought status page.

 

 

Local Drought Planning

ADWR is working with local leaders around the state to establish county-level drought impact groups. The goals of these groups are to monitor drought status and impacts in their area, increase drought public awareness, and develop local mitigation and response options.

 

 

Interagency Coordination

The Governor's Drought Interagency Coordinating Group is comprised of state, federal, tribal and non-governmental organizations. Biannually, this group meets and advises the governor on drought status, impacts, and any necessary preparedness and response actions.