How is groundwater managed in Arizona?
Arizona’s Groundwater Management Act, passed in 1980, attempts to limit groundwater pumping in certain areas and stop the expansion of irrigated farmland. The framework sets up Active Management Areas (AMAs) and Irrigation Non-Expansion Areas (INAs). Outside of these areas, there are few or no regulations on groundwater pumping.
What are groundwater basins?
Arizona’s groundwater is divided into 51 basins, which are distinct underground bodies of water. See the maps below to see where the state’s groundwater basins are located in relation to tribal lands.
Where is groundwater pumping regulated in Arizona?
Arizona’s current groundwater code was written for the places that were growing fastest in the 1970s, like Phoenix and Tucson. It was not built for northern Arizona, nor for most rural areas. The result is a patchwork system. If you live in an Active Management Area (AMA), groundwater pumping is managed. If you live just outside of it, even on the same aquifer, pumping can be unrestricted. In the maps below, notice how few areas in northern Arizona have regulations.
What are the risks of unmanaged groundwater pumping?
Unmanaged groundwater pumping can cause declines in wells and springs; impact culturally important waters; and lead to harder, more expensive fixes later. This creates challenges for:
- Rural residents and small water systems that depend on shallow wells.
- Tribal nations whose homelands and water sources are within groundwater basins that are not managed by the state.
- Counties and local governments that are asked to approve new developments without tools to protect existing wells.
Learn about groundwater in northern Arizona
Maps and graphs may be used for non-commercial purposes provided that they are not altered or edited and they are appropriately credited.
All map products should be credited to Stephanie Smith, Grand Canyon Trust, unless otherwise noted. A hyperlink to the Grand Canyon Trust website is appreciated.
For higher quality images or custom sizing please contact our communications director, Ashley Davidson, at adavidson@grandcanyontrust.org
