A FRAMEWORK FOR AN UPPER SANTA CATALINA MOUNTAINS WATER RESOURCE MANAGEMENT PLAN

Abstract

Water is a limited and extremely important resource on the Santa Catalina Mountains with demand likely increasing in the near future. Cooperative management of water resources and implementation of conservation measures could mitigate demand and resulting impacts. Implementation of a water resource management plan minimally would require the cooperation of the Forest Service and Mt. Lemmon Domestic Water Improvement District and resolution of longstanding conflicts between the two providers. Cooperative management of water resources has the potential to improve overall sustainability of resources on the Santa Catalina Mountains. First, an assessment of water resource management issues and opportunities was done. Then, a framework for an Upper Santa Catalina Mountains water resource management plan was developed, focusing on the Sabino Creek Watershed. Existing data, knowledge, and input from the Forest Service, the Mt. Lemmon Domestic Water Improvement District, Pima County, Summerhaven property owners, and other interested stakeholders was incorporated.