With low rains this year, where does Arizona’s water supply stand?
Arizona’s rainfall total this year is significantly below normal.
What does it all mean for the State’s water supply? We asked Sarah Porter, Director of ASU’s Kyl Center for Water Policy.
“This was a record dry year,” Porter said. “I think a lot of us feel as if it was a bone dry year, and it was extra hot.”
The Colorado River supplies about 40 percent of Arizona’s water and the SRP reservoir system in Phoenix supplies around 30 percent, according to Porter. Given the recent dryness and heat, Porter believes both areas are under great stress.
SRP claims that this was the driest year on record for Arizona. The second driest year, in comparison, still had twice as much precipitation as this year.