A possible legal response to developed water in Arizona

Abstract

Since the 1950 1 s, vegetation modification has been studied as a method for augmenting water supplies. The lack of a legal basis for claiming developed water free from the claims of prior appropriators may discourage full scale water yield improvement activities. Creating a legal classification for water developed by vegetation modification would allow a developer first claim to use. This thesis evaluates a legal classification of water for Arizona in terms of general criteria and in the context of the Salt and Verde watersheds. These drainages are the most promising area in the State for watershed modification due to water yield improvement opportunities and growing water demand in the downstream Phoenix metropolitan area. In the Salt-Verde system however, the largest portion of the additional water produced would spill at Granite Reef Dam because of insufficient storage capacity. Additional environmental constraints also limit the feasibility of a full-scale program at this time. Research concerning economic feasibility and environmental tradeoffs should be encouraged. Then, information would be available as augmentation programs are prepared during the second management plan mandated by the Groundwater Management Act of Arizona.