Archived Water News Headlines | Assured Water Supply Issues

The archives below were published in 2003 and 2004.  Because they are dated, some of the links to news stories may be decayed. 

Arizona
Area Water Supply Challenges Told (Aug 2004, Mohave Daily News) - Bullhead City will not have enough water to keep up with its rapid growth, the Mohave Times Reported. City officials believe aggressive action must be taken to secure more water. Purchasing agricultural water for development is being eyed as an option. The paper reports that prices have escalated locally from about $500 an acre-foot in 1995 to as much as $1,800 per acre-foot now.

Nevada
Residents worry about water supply | County banks on $32 million plan to sustain booming growth (Aug 14, 2004 - Reno Gazette Journal) - The Journal reports that groundwater wells for residents in Washoe County are drying up as nearby developments served with large, municipal wells sprout around them. The Washoe County Department of Water Resources estimates that the water table across the area has dropped about 10 feet over the last 20 years and as much as 40 feet in some areas. A $32 million strategy relying on a combination of groundwater pumping and drawing water from the Truckee River and Thomas, Whites and Galena creeks is being eyed as solution. The plan will provide for nearly 15,500 acre-feet of water for municipal use in 20 years, up from 6,765 acre-feet used in 2003.

Arizona
More governments react to McCain Proposal (July 23, 2004 - The Daily Courier) - The Yavapai Ranch land exchange would be the largest federal land exchange in Arizona’s history, according to the Courier. Long term water sources and sustainability were key issues comments submitted by the City of Clarkdale and others. One group, the Northern Arizona Municipal Water Users Association, which includes municipalities throughout the Upper Verde River Basin as well as Flagstaff, Page and Payson, voted unanimously to oppose the draft.

S.849 | Northern Arizona National Forest Land Exchange Act of 2003
View the Bill Summary & Status

New Mexico
Ruidoso to drill new wells (Jan 17, 2004 - Ruidoso News) - Reacting to an ongoing drought, a winter without snow and the prospect of little to no spring runoff, Ruidoso village councilors decided in a closed session to drill new wells under an emergency procurement for backup “wet” water.

California
Resolution: Not Enough Water (Jan 9, 2004, The Signal) - A new board majority of the Newhall County Water District is considering a resolution that would effectively declare the valley's water supply insufficient for any new construction within the agency's boundaries.