The sulphur springs water alliance, in collaboration with the willcox-SAN simon natural resource conservation district, will develop a watershed restoration plan that will lead to future water…

The Bureau of Reclamation awarded $299,765 to the Arizona Association of Conservation Districts Inc. (AACD) on November 28, 2025, under the Cooperative Watershed Management Program (CFDA 15.554) to develop a comprehensive watershed restoration plan for the San Pedro-Wilcox and Rio de Bavispe watersheds in southeast Arizona. In collaboration with the Willcox-San Simon Natural Resource Conservation District and the Sulphur Springs Water Alliance, AACD will facilitate a stakeholder engagement process involving local businesses, school boards, agricultural interests, local government, and utility companies to address groundwater depletion and related environmental concerns affecting 12 sub-basins across the Douglas and Willcox groundwater basins.

The primary deliverable is a watershed restoration plan that will serve as a foundation for future water recharge and conservation projects. This planning effort addresses critical regional challenges including unsustainable groundwater withdrawals, land subsidence, erosion, infrastructure damage, and anticipated conflicts exacerbated by climate change. The project is scheduled for completion by March 31, 2028, and represents a collaborative approach to developing sustainable water management solutions through comprehensive watershed-level planning and stakeholder coordination.

The sulphur springs water alliance, in collaboration with the willcox-SAN simon natural resource conservation district, will develop a watershed restoration plan that will lead to future water recharge and conservation projects in 12 sub-basins across the SAN pedro-wilcox and RIO DE bavispe watersheds in southeast arizona. This watershed area overlays the douglas and willcox groundwater basins, which are decreasing in elevation due to unsustainable groundwater withdrawals. This groundwater depletion has resulted in significant conflict between water users within the region and land subsidence, resulting in worsening erosion, earthen fissures, and damage to property and infrastructure. Conflicts over groundwater in the region will likely increase with climate change, as temperatures are predicted to increase and precipitation to decrease. The alliance will initiate a collaborative process between stakeholders representing local businesses, school boards, agricultural interests, local government, and utility companies to address these concerns through community outreach the development of a comprehensive watershed restoration plan.