Volume 10, Number i

Earliest North AmericanCanals Found in Tucson

"XIork continues as researchers seek addi-tional information about a series of prehis-toric irrigation canals recently discoveredalong the Santa Cruz River in Tucson thatinclude the oldest canals ever found north ofMexico. Radiocarbon dating on charcoalfragments found in the canals and on plantremains in the different layers of the site in-dicate the series ofcanals were constructedbetween about 3,000 and 2,000 years ago.

"The discovery is significant because wehave not found canals this old before in theSouthwest," says Jonathan Mabry of DesertArchaeology, Inc. "The oldest canals previ-ously found dated to about 2,000 years ago.This discovery pushes them back another1,000 years."

It is not just their antiquity that setsthese canals apart from others studied in thearea. They also shed light on aspects ofHohokam culture that has long puzzled ar-cheologists.

"The Hohokam are famous for buildinghundreds ofmiles ofcanals in the PhoenixBasin," Mabry says. "The Hohokam canal sys-

Continued onpage i2

Water Resources Research Center

A R E Z O N A

WATER RESOURCEJuly-August 2001

The above aerial view ofa recent archaeological excavation near the I-lO/ma Road interchangein Tucson shows a 3,000-years old canal in the deepest level ofsite. See sidefeature. (Photo:

AdrielHeisey)

Do Waterborne Pathogens Pose Risksto Wastewater Workers?Awastewater treatment plant is in the business of processing sewage, sludge anduntreated wastewater, and this can be a risky business for workers at the plant. Waste-water treatment workers confront a variety ofpotentially hazardous on-the-job con-ditions including exposure to toxic gases, chemicals and physical hazards.

One other obvious possible job hazard is contact with waterborne infectiouspathogens. A sample ofraw sewage from a municipal sewage treatment plant couldpotentially include representatives ofall the pathogenic microorganisms that have ahost in that locale.

Airborne, waterborne, foodborne, bloodborne, and sexually transmitted patho-gens can be present, along with human viral, bacterial, fungal and parasitic patho-gens. Further, microbial toxins and allergens are found with microbial pathogens in

sewage.A recent announcement promoting sale ofa work safety video for water/waste-

water treatment plant personnel states: "The bottom line is quite simple: Water/waste-water workers are exposed to just about every type of occupational hazard exceptnuclear radiation." Allowing for marketing-motivated hyperbole the statement stillreflects a generally acknowledged concern about the safety and health of wastewatertreatment workers

The existence ofpathogens in wastewater is unquestioned. The critical issue iswhether and to what degree these pathogens pose health risks to wastewater treatment

Continued on page 2

College of Agriculture and Life Sciences The University of Arizona

CONTENTSWater Vapors 3

News Briefs 4

AZ WaterCommunity News 5

GuestView 6

Legislation and Law 7

Publications 8

Special Projects 9

Announcements 10

Outside Readings 11

Wastewater workers...continuedfrom page 1

personnel. In evaluating the potential hazard University ofWashington microbiologist Mansour Samadpour says, "To put thesituation in perspective most of the risk in any kind of wastewatertreatment environment results from slipping or falling causingbodily injury. Safety factors and physical exposure are muchhigher risks than microbiological concerns."

Yet pathogens pose sufficient risk to wastewater treatmentworkers to raise concern among microbiologists like Samadpour. Re-search undertaken thus far of the effects of various pathogens have attimes been inconclusive, although in some cases, such as hepatitis Aand leptospirosis, the potential risk is well established.

Other pathogens have received considerably less attention. KarenMulloy of the Program of Occupational & Environmental Medicineof the University of New Mexico writes, "The many pathogenic or-ganisms present in sewage, sludge and untreated wastewater can pro-duce a variety of illnesses among workers who are exposed. However,there have been few epidemiologic studies conducted among sewageworkers in the U.S. to determine the actual prevalence and types of in-fections." Mulloy is especially concerned that, "Few studies havelooked at the long-term health effects of exposure among sewageworkers."

Samadpour describes one of the problems encountered whenresearching the health of on-the-job wastewater treatment workers:'Workers with a weak immunity system continually get sick andtend to leave the job. Those who stay have a good immune systemand continue working. Normal precautions may be sufficient forthese workers who can adjust to the work environment."

According to Samadpour, however, some workers may havecertain physical conditions that justify the recent increased con-cern. He says that with an aging population more workers may beunder treatment for cancer, and as a result of chemotherapy may

Coming Soon: Brochure for WastewaterTreatment Workers

The research project "Waterborne infectious pathogens inwastewater - determination of presence, survivability and risksto wa.stewater treatment plant and collection system workers"includes the task of preparing a brochure. Scheduled to beavailable in about four or five months, the brochure, "Controlof Microbiological Hazards in the Wastewater Treatment Envi-ronment," will be a resource to wastewater treatment plant per-sonnel on issues relating to risk of waterborne pathogens inthe workplace. Principal investigator of the project is MansourSamadpour of the University of Washington's Department ofEnvironment Health, School of Public Health.(mansourcu.washington.edu) His research can be reviewed athis web site (http://faculty.washington.edu/mansour/) by click-ing WWTP. The brochure will be available from the Water En-vironment Research Foundation, the agency funding the re--

search. Check its web site for brochure availability. (http://www.werf.org/)

be immunosuppressed. Also an increased number ofwoman areworking in the field, and a mild form ofimmunosuppression mayaccompany pregnancy.

Samadpour says "Once you become immunosuppressed an en-vironment that was perfectly OK may now not be OK and couldcause sickness." He adds, "There has to be recognition in the fieldthat special circumstances like immunodeficiency and immunosup-pression call for consultation with an occupational physician."

Vaccination has been considered as a preventive measure fortwo pathogens known to pose risk to wastewater workers, lep-tospirosis and hepatitis A. In developing countries, leptospirosishas posed a decreasing threat over time. For this reason and be-cause ofthe adverse effects associated with revaccination, leptospiralvaccination is not recommended. Engineering controls and per-sonal protection equipment are considered sufficient to provideworkers protection against leptospirosis.

Whether sewage workers should be vaccinated for hepatitis Ahas sparked debate, even controversy. Although the Center for Dis-ease Control does not include wastewater workers as an occupation-ally exposed group, many in the occupational medical field believesuch workers should receive the hepatitis A vaccine. It is consid-ered a very safe vaccine, its administration posing no excessive risk

Endotoxins are receiving much recent attention as a potentialhealth threat to wastewater workers. Present in gram-negative bacte-ria and released at the time of death and autolysis by the organism,endotoxins have been historically linked to various diseases withoccupationally descriptive names: brown lung, mill fever, weaver'scough, mattress makers' fever, grain fever and bible printers' fever.

A recent article in the Water Online Newsletter carries theheadline, "Endotoxins: a new concern for workers in the wastewaterindustry." The article goes on to discuss how many respiratoryhealth effects experienced by wastewater workers may have been in-correctly diagnosed. The actual cause according to the author maybe directly related to exposure to large doses of endotoxins. Thesituation has prompted some occupational health researchers tosuggest that recommended exposure limits be set for endotoxins.

Not all researchers however are convinced that endotoxinspose a potential health threat to wastewater workers. Most studiesof airborne endotoxin levels have been conducted at agriculturalsites and cotton mills, with few such studies actually conducted atwastewater treatment plants. Samadpour even questions the accuracyof the methods used to measure airborne endotoxins.

Does the situation call for new federal regulatory action toprotect the health of wastewater workers? Mulloy thinks not: "Idon't think any new federal regulations are needed, specifically forsewage workers. They fit very well under OSHA regulations."

Samadpour also does not believe in a need for new federal regu-lations. He says the solution instead is to screen treatment plants toidentify exposure areas and to quantify exposure 'We look at thetreatment plant, at the entire process, and we take air samples at dif-ferent stages, to identify areas of concern."

"This screening process can be done quite easily and at very littlecost. A combination of engineering and administrative controls andpersonal protection can then be applied to solve most microbiologicalproblems."

2 Arizona Water Resource July-August 2001

Exotic Species, a Threat toNatural Law and Order

Eoj species are often outlaws in their ef-fect on water. Ruthless, ecological misfits, re-sisting methods to control or arrest theirgrowth, exotic species can usurp water fortheir own use, making life difficult for theflora or fauna of an area. They also are saidto be invasive which again emphasizes theirmarauding, reckless ways.

No doubt, exotic species can be atreacherous lot, outrageously well equippedto take charge of an area. For example, theAsian swamp eel has been sited within amile of Florida's Everglades National Park,to the consternation of federal wildlife offi-cials. The eel sounds like a creature out of awork of science fiction. The three-foot-longeel apparently eats anything in its path, hasno known enemies, survives in salt andfresh water and on land, can change gendersin order to facilitate year-round breeding,lays 1,000 eggs at a time, and is so durablethat one lived in a wet towel for sevenmonths with no food or water.

The exotic species plaguing Arizonawaterways and water bodies may not be asawesomely formidable, although they canbe aggressive in their own ways. Tamariskor salt cedar line riparian areas, replacingnative trees and releasing valuable waterinto the atmosphere. Salvinia molesta has beensited in Arizona and, if it takes hold, couldspoil recreational activities, threaten fish andwildlife and interfere with irrigation and elec-trical generation. Crayfish have wroughthavoc in the state's high country lakes andstreams by devouring stream vegetation andtiny aquatic animals. There is concern that thezebra mussel will make an appearance in thestate.

Exotic species also can affect water af-fairs in less direct and dramatic ways. Forexample, there is the Africanized Bee orKiller Bee, a celebrity among exotic species,and a nuisance at times to water utility work-ers as is shown in the following story.

Bees in Box Pose Threat toMeter Readers

Consider the plight of the water meterreader, on the front line between water pro-vider and consumer, collecting essential datafor the final reckoning, the settling of scoresbetween utility and water users; in short, theyread meters to tabulate water bills. If that isnot burden enough along come killer bees.

The number of African "killer" beeshave been increasing in the state, showingup in various locations including meterpits or boxes, those subsurface casementscontaining water meters. The damp, dark,cool conditions within the boxes are to thebees liking. As might be expected the beescomplicate the work of the water meterreader.

Encountering bees at meter boxes hasgotten to be a fairly regular occurrence.Sharon Norden, water operations superin-tendent/business services division at TucsonWater, says that last year 148 work orderswere issued to investigate bee problems atmeters. She adds that this numbers doesnot include problems handled by radiocall or direct summons to an exterminator.

Jane Smith, the assistance customer ser-vices administrator for the Phoenix watercustomer services department, is not sure ofthe exact number of bee incidents at citywater meters but says, "I would say we re-spond several times a week."

Standard operating procedures have

C Duector Dr. Pcter Wercrng

been established to handle bee problems.Norden says, "If meter readers notice anybees they don't read the meter. We sendsomeone out later to follow up on it. Ofcourse, if it is in a highly trafficked areawhere it may pose a health or safety threatto the public we call an exterminator imme-diately. We like to try to take care of it our-selves."

The Phoenix water department at firsttried the humane approach by workingwith professional bee keepers. Smith says,"We had limited success with the bee keep-ers. We would call, and they would usuallygo at night when the bees are quieter andtry to remove them because they wantedthem for honey. But since they were work-ing gratis they did not always respond asquickly as we needed. We now have a con-tract with a pest control outfit."

Bees are not the only unwelcome crit-ter that may be found lurking in the darkof a meter box. Norden says, "Anythingyou have in the desert Southwest that likesdark, cool, moist conditions might occupya meter box - scorpions, spiders and evensnakes."

The bees could pose problems forother water workers besides meter readerssince they travel near water, with colonieslikely to be established close to canals,drainage ditches, retention basins and otherwater ways. Workers involved in such areasneed to be on the look out for unwelcomecolonies.

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July-August 2001 Arizona Water Resource 3

News B

25 AZ Small Systems Fail toMeet EPA Reporting Laws.

Operators of 25 small community watersystems in Arizona recently received warn-ing letters from the U.S. EnvironmentalProtection Agency for failing to distributewater quality reports to their customers.The systems were notified that they have 30days to distribute the reports to their cus-tomers or face possible penalties up to$5,000. Mandated by the Safe DrinkingWater Act, the report informs the publicabout the source of their drinking water,detected contaminants and what, if any, ac-tions were necessary.

Before the due date for the first re-port, October 19, 1999, the Arizona De-partment of Environmental Quality mailednotices in April and again in September1999 reminding community water systemsabout the requirement and the pendingdeadline. The first report was to cover1998. In April 2000, ADEQsent warningnotices to water systems that had not com-plied.

All those receiving EPA letters are smallutilities. Tim Edwards, executive director ofthe Arizona Small Utilities Association, sug-gests why. "Any new regulation puts a bur-den on ali systems but especially the smallersystems. Some operators may not under-stand the requirement, but mostly it comesdown to affordability."

Edwards says ASUA makes an effort toensure that members are aware of the re-porting requirement, even offering a tem-plate to guide operators in providing thenecessary information for the report, alongwith other services.

The following water systems face EPAfines for failing to distribute their waterquality reports (number of customers in pa-renthesis): Arizona Windsong Water Co.,Sanders, (400); Leslie Canyon Water Users,Douglas, (60); Lacosta Water Users Assoc.,Douglas, (56); Sunrise Mobile Home Park,Sierra Vista, (22); Kachina Village MHP,Kachina Village, (240); Ash Creek WaterCo., Central, (1050); Eagle View Village!Maton Farms, Aguila, (200); P.A.I. Domes-

tic/Matori Farms, Aguila, (120); OatmanWater Co., Oatman, (536); White Hills Wa-ter Co., Bullhead City, (130); Joshua HillsWater Co., Dolan Springs, (200); White Mt.Lakes Estates, 'White Mountain Lake, (950);Running Bear Mobile Resort, Lakeside,(150); Rillito Water Users Assoc., Rillito,(213); Decker Community Water, Tucson,(29); Bidegain Water Co., Kearny, (49);Kelvin-Simmons Co-op, Kearny, (33);Hong Kong Water Co., Superior, (30);Maricopa Mt. Water Co., East Maricopa,(660); Maricopa Mt. Water Co., NWMaricopa, (225); Davis Ranch Landowners,Marana, (46); Hidden Valley Farmettes,Maricopa, (74); Hacienda Acres Water Sys-tem, Wittman, (80); Buffalo Run MobileHome Park, Camp Verde, (180); BeverlyGardens, Prescott, (150).

Poll Assesses RiverAwareness

esthetics may outrank science in a recentsurvey as Americans overwhelming supportthe protection and conserving of rivers butlack a good understanding of the workingsof a watershed.

In a recent poli 98 percent of respon-dents said it was important to protect andconserve American rivers. Only about halfthe respondents, or 56 percent, however,were able to describe a watershed as a geo-graphic area defined by the flow and move-ment of surface water toward a commonriver or other body of water.

Other results further gauged Americansunderstanding of rivers:

Only 36 percent were aware thatnonpoint-source pollution - contamina-tion from varied sources that is carried byrunoff - is the prime source of water-qual-ity problems for rivers.

Just 15 percent knew that the actionsof individuals is the greatest source of riverpollution. 44 percent incorrectly identifiedindustrial sources as the biggest polluter ofthe nation's waterways.

Only one-third correctly recognizedland use and urban sprawl as the most seri-ous threat to watersheds.

59 percent were unaware that agricul-tural runoff causes more river pollutionthan what derives from industrial sources.

42 percent incorrectly believed that wa-ter entering storm drains is treated at watertreatment plants.

About half the respondents thoughtthat dumping a quart of oil down a stormrain would result in an oil slick 100 feet orless, whereas the actual figure is two acres or6,000 square feet.

Commissioned by National Geo-graphic the "River IQ study is part of aprogram that will include students, teachers,families, and communities in projects topreserve rivers and conserve water. The goalis for Americans to become responsibleriver stewards.

Other sponsors of the program in-clude Coca-Cola, the Conservation Fundand the River Council. The latter is madeup of various organizations includingAmerican Rivers, Izaak Walton League ofAmerica, River Network, Trout Unlimited,and Waterkeeper Alliance

The national telephone poli targeted750 adults and 250 chìldren, and the mar-gin of error was plus or minus 4 percentagepoints.

Special Events Mark SRP's2003 Centennial

SRP's centennial in 2003 will be an occa-sion to inform Arizona citizens about theproject, its history, growth, and achieve-ments during its 100 years of operation.Planned events include the publication of ahistory of the SRP, from its inception tothe present day. SRP historians FredAndersen, Katherine May, Marc Campbelland Shelley Dudley are working on theproject, to be published in fall 2002.

Various museums will host travelingand semi-permanent exhibits devoted to theSRP. The SRP Heritage Program will beworking with Phoenix Museum of Historyin developing a SRP historical perspective,to be exhibited from October 2002 to De-cember 2003. Exhibits also will be displayedat Pueblo Grand and the Arizona Historical

4 Arizona Water Resource July-August 2001

Museum in Papago Park. Other exhibitsites also will be identified.

A highlight of the SRP centennial yearwill occur in April 2003 when the ArizonaHistory Convention takes place in Tempe.The main focus of the conference will bethe history of the SRP. A call for paperswill be issued in about a year. Other topicscan be addressed, but conference organizershope to attract many papers discussing thedevelopment of Central Arizona and SRP.Prominent western historians PatriciaLimmerick and Donald Pisani will partici-pate in panel discussions.

For more information about eventsplanned for the SRP Centennial contactShelly Dudley, SRP archivist, 602-236-6627,or Bruce Dingus, Arizona Historical Soci-ety, Tucson, 520-628-5774.

Value of Water Tanks forMigrants Questioned

'The effectiveness of water stations estab-lished to save the lives of border crossers isbeing questioned after the recent death of aMexican citizen. Despite obtaining waterfrom two stations within Organ Pipe Cac-tus National Park Jorge Alonso Mirelesdied from heat exhaustion. Alsonso waswithin a group of eight illegal immigrants.

The incident reinforces some U.S. Bor-der Patrol officials belief that the stationsestablished to provide relief from extreme

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thirst may in fact be creating a false sense ofsecurity. The agency is concerned that someundertake the trek with undue confidenceknowing water is available. The Tucson-based humanitarian group, Humane Bor-ders, set up two 60-gallon water tanks in thepark in March in an effort to reduce fatali-ties among border crossers. Thirty-foot flag-poles mark the location of the tanks.

The Rev. Robin Hoover, co-founder ofHumane Borders, defends the project say-ing that Allonso's death is not reason toquestion the value of the water tanks. Hesays many others have obtained water fromthe tanks and continued their journey withno ill effects.

The availability of water would notnecessarily save those too dehydrated tobenefit from drinking. At a certain stage ofdehydration a person is unable to drinkand keep it down.

The U.S. Border Patrol videotaped aninterview with Fidel Alonso, brother ofJorge, and an agency spokesperson says theinterview bolsters the contention that thewater tanks represent a hazard. In the videoFidel describes how the water enabled themto continue their journey. At one point hesays, "There was more than enough waterbut he (Jorge) couldn't make it."

At the time the water tanks were in-stalled the Border Patrol's Tucson Sectorwent along with the project, instructingagents not to lie in wait at the stations. Al-

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Above is the cover and two pagesfrom "Desert Wash Saf«y, "a coloring bookfeaturingZach Rabbitand Lenny Lizard. Its intent is to warn children that desert washes can be danger zones. In a littleoveryear, two Tucson youth have lost their lives in washes. The most recent case was on August 1

when a 14-year-old boy was sucked through a storm drain and washed a halfmile downstream. Thecoloring book, available in English and Spanish, can be orderedfreefrom the Tucson Transportation

Department's Storm water Section (phone: 520-791-4372) and is online at www.cLtucson.as.us/pdf/

washsafq'y.pdf

though this policy is to continue the recentincident has intensified the agency's con-cern that border crossers are taking in-creased risks because of the availability ofwater.

WaterCommunit

EWGoy. Jane Hull has appointed Brad Hill,Peoria's water resources manager, to theArizona Water Resources Advisory Board.Hill becomes one of 15 board membersknowledgeable about state and local waterresource issues who make recommendationson water resource planning, policy and leg-islation to the director of the Arizona's De-partment ofWater Resources.

The Nature Conservancy of Arizona hasappointed a new state director, PatrickGraham, and moved the position fromTucson to Phoenix. Graham explains, "Thefeeling was to have the state director in amore central location." The Tucson office,however, will remain the largest in terms ofstaff.

David M. Esposito has been named man-ager of the Arizona Department of Envi-ronmental Quality's southern regional of-fice in Tucson. He was formerly director ofthe ADEQs Waste Programs Division

Arizona State University Professor WendellLee Minckley died June 22. Minckley isconsidered to have contributed more thananyone else to fish preservation in theSouthwest, while mentoring generations ofgraduate students sharing his interest.

Larry Linser died June 17. He had servedas deputy director of the Arizona Depart-ment of Water Resources before leaving theagency in 1995 for a private consultingpractice. Linser initiated the process of de-ciding surface rights for streams and nego-tiating Indian water rights. His interestsalso included flood control, dam safety andthe development of state water banks.

July-August 2001 Arizona Water Resource 5

6 Arizona Water Resource July-August 2001

Guest View

Arizona's Rural Water Future: Meeting the ChallengesDoug C Nelson, Ph.D. contributed this Guest View. Dr. Nelson is a natu-ral resource economist and attorney specializing in utility and water law. Heserves as executive vice president oftheArizona Rural WaterAssociation.

These remarks are those ofDr. Nelson and not theArizona Rural WaterAs-sociation.

Rura! Arizona is experiencing challenges in meeting water de-mands. "Rural water," for purposes ofthis article, is the water sys-tems outside the service area of the Centra! Arizona Project. Corn-peting water demands, between rural areas and among water users,are more controversia! than selecting a stadium site.

Water is difficult to manage, in part, because water suffersfrom misconceptions. Many perceive water as being "free," even ifthey pay more for "designer water" than the gasoline in theirSUVs. Some think people will stop coming if there is insufficientwater. And some believe that "their" water will be available for"their" future use. Water, as a "fugitive" resource, has a tendency towander away, unlike say copper or a stand of trees. Water also has adomino effect: pumping groundwater or drawing water from astream affects others who may be some distance away.

An intricate body of law and tradition once protected waterrights. With growing metropolitan demands, expanding NativeAmerican uses, and increasing environmental requirements, therights to future water use are eroding away. Economic and politicalpressures now more than ever dictate entitlements to water.

Groundwater in rural Arizona is largely unregulated andhighly variable. Geological and hydrological conditions differ ex-tensively among and within watersheds. Annual runoff can vary tre-mendously from year to year.

The courts, with an expansive view of subflows, are adjudicatingsurface water rights. Reduced pumping from wells that affect streamflows, such as along the Verde and Gila rivers, will likely diminishconsumptive rural water supplies. Some Indian settlements provideleased water for metropolitan cities without addressing the water de-mands of rural communities.

Not surprising, water options rest with federally supported or-ganizations, such as the Salt River Project and the CAP. Water usersin those areas have the luxury of deciding whether to use Colo-rado River water, regional surface water from rural watersheds, re-use treated effluent, or leased tribal water. They have the flexibilityof "banking" water for the future and the ability to tap a local ordistant groundwater source during extended droughts.

The Arizona Legislature has appropriated funds for local wateractivities called "water initiatives" in rural areas, through the Ari-zona Department of Water Resources. Continued support isneeded for these efforts. However, financing of these studies is notenough. What happens to the results if there is no plan or frame-work to implement solutions? Will the "shelf-life" of the study ex-pire before an implementing organization is created? Rural Arizona

needs the continuity of transforming studies into planned solu-tions.

Creating Active Management Areas in rural Arizona will notsolve water supply problems. The AMAs address the use of lower-cost groundwater during the abundance of Colorado River andother water sources. Rural Arizona generally lacks alternative watersupplies. Regulations do not create water. Conserving water resultsmore from common sense, education and budgets than mandatedby rules. Without the administrative weight ofan AMA, forminglocal or regional water organizations will best address the uniquechallenges ofeach area.

Rural communities have begun to see the importance of plan-ning their water futures. Local water providers and other stakeholdersshould be able to organize a water organization without seeking spe-cial legislation. Each rural area could select from a menu of activitiesand powers, under a state authorized Rural Water Authority (RWA).

Estimating water supplies and projecting future demands iscostly and controversial. Harboring fact-gathering responsibilitieswith regulatory obligations creates suspicion. The position of StateWater Engineer was dissolved with the formation of ADWR andthe receipt of CAP water. The time has come for creating a StateWater Engineer office to provide technical information and assis-tance to rural water organizations.

Local water providers and governments would be able to forma RWA by filing a petition with the State Water Engineer. Depend-ing upon the desires of the petitioners, the Authority may merelyengage in planning while other watersheds might invest in regionalwater systems and levy taxes to support those projects.

Dedicating groundwater for future rural uses by the ArizonaLegislature is an ideal worth exploring. After adopting a waterplan, the local RWA would file its report with the State Water En-gineer. As rural watersheds develop more slowly than the AMAs,rural counties and communities would have the assurance of an ad-equate water supply.

In addition to securing the water future of our California andNevada neighbors, Arizona policies should encourage "water bank-ing" for the benefit of rural Arizona. Considerable resources aredevoted to protecting Arizona's Colorado River allocation duringinterstate negotiations. Similarly, Arizona should invest in explor-ing water banking, exchange and recharge opportunities in ruralArizona.

Financing of solutions presents the greatest challenge.Partnering with the federal government, which owns about 43 per-cent of the land in Arizona, created the water foundation for ourmetropolitan cities. Similar collaborative efforts should assist ourrural communities in augmenting their water supplies and preserv-ing their lifestyles and economic futures. Investing in a safe and de-pendable water supply is more desirable than funding more regula-tions or responding to future water crises.

TTTTGovernor's Commission Takes on Tough Job, Makes Progress.The task at hand was to review the workings of Arizona's Ground-water Management Act, noting its deficiencies and shortcomings,and to develop recommendations to better achieve its goal of pre-serving the state's groundwater resources. To take on the formi-dable task, Governor Jane Hull appointed a Governor's Water Man-agement Commission.

It was undoubtedly an ambitious plan, to bring togetherwithin a commission various representatives and interests to workon water issues, a perennially contentious topic, with the goal ofachieving some kind of consensus about the future course of theGMA. The GWMC has now labored over a year and is in the pro-cess of finalizing preliminary recommendations for public reviewand comment in the fall. A final report is due Dec.l, to includerecommendations to the Arizona Legislature to consider duringthe 2002 session.

Although the GWMC is still on the job, enough work hasbeen done to ask: Has the process worked to ensure a thoughtfulrevision of the GMA? With 47 members on the GWMC, variousviewpoints prevail, but some common concerns emerged from in-terviews with a number of commission members.

One major concern was that the commission had too much todo in too short a period of time, a problem with varied conse-quences. As the work of the commission got started members wereto peruse background materials. Considering the tight time line itsoon became evident that efforts to absorb background informa-tion was consuming valuable time needed for the commission'smain task of reviewing the GMA.

Much of the work was done by various committees, subcom-mittees, workgroups and sub-workgroups. These were formed atvarious times to work at different tasks, often in response to a shiftin program direction. Some members complained it was difficultto keep track of the various committees and their tasks. The largesize of the commission also was noted as causing problems.

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Some members are frustrated by an awareness that what needsto done will not likely get done within the established time frame.The complexity ofthe issues further complicates efforts at maintain-ing a predictable work schedule, with the result that some deadlinesare not being met. For example the commission's original plan ofadopting recommendations injuly and August proved unworkable.

The issue oftime constraints gathers additional concern when itis seen as a possible factor influencing the commission's actions anddecisions. For example, some members felt the commission did notalways provide due deliberations ori various issues before making de-cisions. In response, others claimed that commission members didmake an effort to properly debate each issue, but time constraints re-stricted lengthy discussion and delìberation.

Others who believe the commission slighted some issues have aless benign view of the its intent and actions. They claim that corn-mission members representing particular interests often protectedtheir own turf by emphasizing certain issues over others. As a re-suit some concerns attracted less attention than others. Still otherssay that a balanced view was taken and that perceptions of what gotdue attention are often in the eye of the beholder.

The impartially of the commission was a concern as the pro-cess began. At the outset members were encouraged to practicestatesmanship, to rise above their particular interests to work forthe general good, with common gain over individual advantage.Some members questioned whether this ideal of statesmanship wasin fact achieved.

They say leverage was lacking to guide the commission to take ontroublesome, more complex issues, often with broad public policyimplications. They complained that non-controversial issues, thoseof the lowest common denominator, tended to get broad commis-sion support, to the neglect of more weighty matters.

Some members agreeing that the commissions' recommenda-tions may not be deep, probing or earth shattering say it is be--

cause the process has not been driven by a perceived sense of crisisor even urgency. Commission members therefore lacked the moti-vation for major GMA overhauling. This situation greatly contrastswith circumstances that motivated passage of the GMA in 1980.

Commission members generally feel, however, that some im-portant issues have been identified and addressed and that the leg-islative recommendations can be the impetus for significant andpositive changes to the GMA. Regret was shared that other issueswill not make it on the agenda due to time constraints.

Commission work is still in progress, with a true test of its ef-fectiveness up ahead when recommendations are finalized for legis-lative consideration. Recommendations OK'd for public reviewwill then receive greater scrutiny. At that time, difficult decisionswill have to be made, with give and take negotiated, before a finalvote. The commission's performance of this task will be its finaltest and legacy.

July-August 2001 Arizona Water Resource 7

Publications

Water Quality: Better Data and Evaluation ofUrban RunoffPrograms Needed to Assess EffectivenessGovernmentAccounting Office

This GAO document was prepared to report on 1) the amount ofrunofffrom urban areas, particularly from roads, highways andother impervious surfaces, and its effects on water quality and (2)the programs that federal regulations require local governments todevelop to address urban runoff and the costs and effectiveness ofthose programs. The review was performed from August 2000through May 2001 and can be accessed at GAO Report web site:http://www.access.gpo.gov/su_docs/aces/aces i 60.shtml

Envisioning the Agenda for Water Resources Research in theTwenty-First CenturyNational Research Council

With the intent ofoutlining a roadmap to guide policymakers theWater, Science and Technology Board held a series ofdiscussions atseveral ofits meetings in 1998-2000 about the future of thenation's water resources and the appropriate research needed toachieve their long-term sustainability. An outgrowth of those dis-cussions, this report discusses major research questions related tothe critical water issues that face the nation. It lays out an interdis-

Irrigating India: My Five Years as USAIDAdvisor

SoiResnick, as told to ElaineMinow Resnick

Complications developed when Resnick requested wheelbarrowsand shovels for an irrigation project. "Wheelbarrows? Is Resnickcrazy," exclaimed a Washington official. "We'll send youearthmovers. Just tell us what you want"

A brief incident within the book, the event might representthe style and substance ofResnick's work in India. He requestedthe wheelbarrows and shovels for a small-scale village irrigationproject, to be built by the villagers themselves. At a time whenIndia was undergoing profound historical changes Resnick real-ized that the best tools to serve the needs ofvillages were thosethe village could use themselves. Real change does not comefrom above and beyond but from within the village itself.

In his book Resnick describes his work in Indian Villages,with a keen eye on local life, but also commenting on the waysofthe more privileged classes. His work also brings him intocontact with various government officials, both American andIndian. He meets and gains the support ofChester Bowles, U.S.ambassador to Indian, and Indian Prime Minister Nehru.

Narrated and transcribed as a series of"Sol stories," thememoir holds together as a unified work, the view of a sensitiveand compassionate man coping with the complexities of Indianculture and committed to improving the lives ofvillages. (See

ciplinary research portfolio for the next 20 years and recommendsagenda-setting processes that can maximize the nation's ability toprioritize and conduct water resources research. The publicationidentifies 43 research issues within three main topical areas: wateravailability, water use and water institutions. Additional fundingfor water research is called for since problems cannot be solvedwith the current level of investment in water resources research.Copies of the report can be obtained from Western Science andTechnology Board, National Research Council, 2101 ConstitutionAve., N.W. Washington, DC 20418

A Primer on Climatic Variability and Change in the SouthwestRobert Merideth

Focusing on Arizona and New Mexico, this primer provides anoverview ofthe role and relevance ofclimate to the Southwest's so-ciety, economy and environment. Intended for decision makers,stakeholders and interested citizens this publication attempts toshow how climatic variability and change affect the lives and liveli-hood those living in the region. For a copy of this primer or re-lated reports contact Udall Center for Studies in Public Policy,University ofArizona; phone: 520-884-4393; web site:udallcenter.arizona.edu

Village woman working on a diversion project.

page 1 1 of this newsletter for excerpts from the book.)Sol Resnick is Professor Emeritus Hydrology and Director

Emeritus of the Water Resources Research Center at the Univer-sity ofArizona. In 1998, the Arizona Hydrological Societyawarded him its Life Time Achievement Award. A water expertof international repute, Resnick has worked for USAID and theWorld Bank and has taught at universities in the United States,Israel, Brazil and Thailand.

The book is available online at amazon.com, in select book-stores or call 520-529-2122; fax 520-529-6345; email:eburtonworldnet.att.net

8 Arizona Water Resource July-August 2001

SpeçiàiProjèas

USGS Program Expands Streamfiow Data CollectionThe U.S. Geological Survey operates about 7,000 streamfiow-gag-ing stations throughout the nation to serve as river sentinels, gath-ering and recording information about the flow in the nation'srivers and streams. Transferring streamfiow into a flow of informa-tion, the gaging stations provide accurate and valuable data toserve the needs of many organizations. For example, the Salt RiveProject uses this data to manage its reservoirs on the Salt and Verderivers.

The great majority ofthese stations operate as joint ventures,with more than 800 state, local, tribal or other federal agenciessharing costs. USGS is the senior partner, operating the system forthe benefit of all and widely and freely distributing data. Arizona has220 such sites within the USGS system, with about 35 entities signedon as co-sponsoring partners.

The system that functioned well over time is now reaching a criti-cal point, its current capabilities inadequate to meet growing demandsfor varied and expanded information. Cooperators have dropped outof the program, often with the result that streamgages are discontin-ued at a time when emerging issues and technologies have increasedthe need for reliable streamfiow information. Also technological up-grades are needed to improve system reliability and decrease costs.

In response to such concerns the National Streamfiow Informa-tion Program was established, to upgrade the streamfiow-gaging net-work and ensure a stable and modern river monitoring system. NSIPwill enhance operations by supporting the following activities: inten-sive data collecting during major floods and droughts; periodic as-sessment and evaluation of streamfiow characteristics to determineimpacts of climate and land-use change; development of an effectivesystem for delivering data to users; and implementation of a researchand development program. NSIP's first year of funding was FY2000.

NSIP establishes a two-tiered approach to streamgaging, withthe ongoing cooperative network now joined by a newly estab-lished federal network. NSIP will boosts the cooperative networkby enabling USGS to pay the fixed cost of the system, thereby de-creasing cooperators' per-streamgage cost by about 40 percent.

NSIP's federal network is a system of streamgages strategicallypositioned throughout the country, in various states, to provide anational perspective. Mostly identified from among those withinthe present network, these streamgages represent a subset of the to-tal number. Totally funded by USGS, this selected core will deliverreal-time information, uncompromised by varying support fromfunding partners. Its continuous operation ensured, the federalnetwork will pursue specific objectives relating to interstate and in-ternational waters, flood forecasts, river basin outflows, sentinel wa-tersheds and water quality.

The NSIP network will eventually consists of 4,421 streamgages,with most identified from the roster of active USGS streamgagesbut also including inactive USGS streamgages or streamgages oper-

ated by other agencies. At times new stream gages may be con-structed or added to the NSIP network. In Arizona, 85 sites havebeen identified to be included in the NSIP federal network, 57 ofthem currently active.

Arizona's streamgaging sites have special importance since thestate has a higher number ofunregulated streams than most states.Uncontrolled by reservoirs, the unregulated streams can be gagedto better determine long-term river conditions, thereby promotinga fuller understanding ofsuch issues as climate change, flood fre-quency and water quality. Information from unregulated streamsalso can be used to devise equations for use with ungaged streams,for such purposes as estimating 100 year floods, etc.

Another NSIP benefit is the funding of remote sites that donot attract the interest oflocal sponsors. In Arizona, such sites maybe located for example within the Grand Canyon. NSIP fundingcould be used to support such sites if they contribute to a nationalperspective.

Arizona received funding this year for two sites. The fundingwill be used to rebuild the infrastructure of a streamgage on theSanta Cruz River. A cableway on the river at Nogales was used tomeasure high flows until it was condemned because of deteriora-tion. NSIP funds are being used to repair the cableway at this keysite which should be back in operation by the end of the year.This site enables verification of high flows to ensure adequate floodwarning. Funding also was used to install a temporary streamgagingstation on Centennial Wash upstream of the town of Wenden toensure adequate response time in the face of a possible flood threat.

NSIP will not only enable more and increasingly varied infor-mation to be collected but will provide the means to transmit, storeand distribute the information via the Internet. NSIP funds sup-ported development of NATWEB, a national system of redundantweb servers designed to ensure data delivery in times of high cus-tomer demand, heavy Internet traffic or local failures in power orcommunications systems. Another advance in data delivery is the sys-tem called NWIS-Web (http://water.usgs.gov/nwis), designed toprovide the entire storehouse of USGS data to the public.

Data delivery will be further refined by expediting the process ofproviding streamfiow data collected at frequent - usually 15-minute- intervals. This is expected to be accomplished in FY 2002. FinallyNSIP plans include new web-based applications to allow users to se-lect any location on any stream and use GIS interfaces and existingstatistical models to compute streamfiow characteristics.

NSIP also will support research and development. In its questfor new approaches to streamgaging, NSIP will invest $5 millionper year to improve the understanding of streamflow and the wayit is measured and analyzed.

The web site http//water.usgs.gov/nsipprovidec additional informationon the NSIP program including a map showing st reamgaging sites mAri-

zon«, induding new/proposed sites.

July-August 2001 Arizona Water Resource 9

Announcements

New Mexico Water Institute Host 46 AnnualConference

The New Mexico Water Resources Research Institute will be con-ducting its 46th annual water conference in Santa Fe, Nov. 5-7. Theevent is co-sponsored by the New Mexico Watershed Coalition andthe New Mexico Riparian Council. The theme of this year's confer-ence is "New Mexico Watershed Management: Restoration, Utiliza-tion and Protection." For additional information about the con-ference including preliminary program and costs check the WRRIweb site: http://wrri.nmsu.edu

Grants Available for Wetlands Conservation

The Fish and Wildlife Service seeks proposals for matching fundsfor wetland and wetland-associated upland conservation projects.The awards provide up to $50,000, to be matched by at least a 1:1contribution of non-federal funds. The grants may be used onlyfor wetlands acquisition, creation, enhancement, or restoration.For additional information contact: Keith Morehouse, Div. ofBird Habitat Conservation, U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service, 4401 N.Fairfax Dr., Suite 110, Arlington, VA 22203. phone: 703-358-1784;fax: 703-358-2282; email: keith_morehousefvs.gov; web site: http://northamerican,fws.gov/NAWCA/grants.htm The deadline for ap-plications is Nov. 30.

Native American Forum on Environmentand Natural Resources"D

Duilding Native Nations: Environment, Natural Resources andGovernance" is an international conference and forum organizedby the Morris K. Udall foundation and the Udall Center for Stud-ies in Public Policy at the University of Arizona. Topics includeinstitution building, economic development, traditional knowledgeand science and technology. The conference/forum is scheduledfor Dec. 11-13 in Tucson. For additional information contact 520-884-4393.

Nominations Sought for Endangered Rivers

The American Rivers organization is in the process of compilingits list of America's Most Endangered Rivers of 2002. The selectionprocess includes accepting nominations from grassroots organiza-tions, and nominations are then judged by criteria including themagnitude and imminence of the threat to the river, and the likeli-hood that major action during the coming 12 months could eitherintensifr or lessen the threat. Nomination must be submitted byOct. 1. Nomination papers are available online atwww.americanrivers.org Questions can be addressed to RebeccaSherman, phone: 202-347-7550; email: outreachamrivers.org

EPA Asks Comments on Arsenic Standards

The U.S. Environmental Protection Agency is requesting publiccomment through Oct. 3 1 on a new arsenic-in-tap-water standardbefore deciding the issue early next year. Comments are sought onwhether the arsenic standard should be set at 3 ppb, 5 ppb, 10 ppbor 20 ppb. In addition, the agency asks commentators to submitnew information for review. For background information on theissue see the web site: http://www.epa.gov/safewater/arsenic.htmlComments are to be submitted to the W-99-16-VI Arsenic Com-ments Clerk, Water Docket, (MG-4101) U.S. EPA, 1200 Pennsylva-nia Ave., NW, Washington DC 20460 or submitted via email to:ow-docketepa.gov This fall, the agency will publish another no-tice to request public comment on the reviews that are underway.

Proposals Invited for AZ/New MexicoHistory ConferencelEIistorians involved in western water may be interested in an in-vitation for proposals for papers on any aspect of New Mexico orArizona history for presentation at the New Mexico-Arizona JointHistory Convention, to be held April 11-13, 2002 in Las Cruces,New Mexico. Of special interest are two cash awards to be pre-sented for papers. A $200 prize will be awarded for the best paperdealing with the territorial period of Arizona history. Papers deal-ing with Arizona geography, broadly defined, or cartography areparticularly encouraged. Also the Arizona Humanities Council, aspart of its "Moving Waters: The Colorado River and the West"project, is offering $200 for the best historical paper addressingany aspect of the Colorado River. All proposals must be submittedby Oct. 1 to Bruce J. Dinges, c/o Arizona Historical Society, 949E. Second St., Tucson, AZ 85719. Upon proposal acceptance, pre-senters competing for a prize must submit a completed paper ofno more than twelve double-spaced, typed pages (exclusive ofnotes) to Bruce Dinges by February 1, 2002. Papers not being sub-mitted for a prize must be in hand no later than March 1, 2002.

Border Conference Calls for Abstracts

.Although the conference, "Integrated Transboundary Water Man-agement," is to be conducted in Michigan not far from Canada, itsfocus also includes the southern U.S. border with Mexico. Sessionsare expected on contrasting transboundary water issues on bothnorthern and southern U.S. borders. A call for abstracts has beenissued for the conference, with abstracts due Oct. 1. The conferencewill be held in Traverse City, Michigan July 23-26, 2002. Con fer-ence sponsors include the Universities Council on Water Re-sources, National Ground Water Association and the U.S. ArmyCorps of Engineers Institute for Water Resources. For additionalinformation check the web site: http://www.uwin.siu.edu/ucowr/

lo Arizona Water Resource July-August 2001

More to "Irrigating India" Than Irrigation"Outside Readings" induites reprints or abstracts ofeditoria4,feature.c artides

or otherpublished materials that appeared in varioztspzthlications.

Following are excerptsfrom "Irrigating India, " bj Sol Resnick (Seepage 8

for information about the book) Trainedas a civil and agricultural engi-neer, Resnick realizedthat more than technicaiskills were needed when

working with villagers unfamiliar with modern advances in health and k-drology. Resnick worked in India for theAgency ofInternational Develop-

mentfrom 1952 -57.

Villagers often relied on the old ways when needing water, and Resnick

found that the effectiveness ofthe old ways sometimes depended upon scient i/ic

understanding albeit dubiously applied.The villagers needed a water supply, usually a well or a tank.

When they needed to dig a new well, they sought help from a fa-mous local water diviner, The diviner was a rather clever but lazyman who figured out a way to do his divining from home. Thevillagers walked twenty or thirty miles to his village bringing withthem carefully drawn maps of their own village. The diviner spreadthe maps on the ground. He made sure they included the locationof every banyan tree in the village. Then he took out his oldpocket watch. The watch no longer told time, but did tell wherethe water was located. He'd hold the watch by its chain and dangleit over the map, slowly moving it in circles until the watch beganto shimmy. "There," he'd say. "Dig there and you will find water."And he was right. He knew that wherever the big banyan treesgrew, there had to be a good water supply. He'd make sure thewatch shimmied over the biggest tree and sent the villagers hometo dig.

Other water diviners went from village to village. They knewthe trick was to find a big tree. They would invariably tell the vil-lagers to dig on the west side of the tree so that the women wouldhave shade as they did their laundry at the well in the morning.

Resnick's efforts to expose villagers to the outside world could leave them feel-

ing incredulous. Returningfrom New Delhi he would bring back magazines

acquiredfrom embasy staff Village woman would then find out about theworld beyond their villages by looking at pictures in Good Housekeeping

Better Homes and Garden, and House BeautifuLAfter dinner I brought my magazines out to the campfire and

the village women gathered. They took a magazine and sat on theground, paging through, looking at the pictures. I guess theycould figure out what a chair or bed was, but if they came to a pic-ture of a dishwasher, they would come to me and say, "Sah, Sab,what is this?"

How do you explain a dishwasher to a person who doesn'teven know what a dish is? The women lived in one-room huts andcooked in a corner or outside on an open fire. They owned a fewcooking pots and utensils and some small wooden bowls, but ateoff leaves with their fingers. How do you explain an electric stove,a toaster, a Mixmaster? They carried their water from wells or the

river. How do you explain faucets on a sink? They washed theirclothes in the river or at the well and left them to dry on rocks.How do explain a washing machine and dryer? I did my best andthe women oohed and aahed.

Word spread that the American had magazines with wonderfulpictures. Women from the villages walked in to see the now-famousmagazines. They sat in small groups around the campfire with thelocal village women who with their new knowledge about the out-side world, explained the intricacies of the modern Americankitchen to their friends who also oohed and aahed. But the newwomen couldn't believe what they were hearing. The local womenwould call out, "Sab, Sab come here and tell about the dishwasherto my friend. She does not believe me." And I moved from groupto group in response to "Sab, Sab," and explained how a dish-washer worked

To combat a severe cholera outbreak Resnick had wells drilled to provide an

alternative drinking water supply to the polluted river. Villagers initially re-

fused to use the pure well water.I got in touch with the state engineer who brought down a

drilling rig. We dug more wells and, as always, tested the well water.It was pure. When the villagers refused to use the well water, theAID public health doctor had an idea. He assembled all of the vil-lagers for a meeting on the cricket field.

He stood in front of the people and asked, "You know howwhen your wives menstruate, they are impure? How they cannotcook your food? How you separate them from the rest the village?How they live alone in their separate little huts when they are im-pure?" The villagers solemnly nodded yes. He continued, "The samething happens to the River Goddess. She is menstruating and herwater is impure. You cannot use her water to bathe or drink untilshe is clean again." You could see the light grow in their eyes asthey comprehended what he said. They got the message. As they be-gan to use the well water, they found that they actually liked it bet-ter than the river water and continued to drink it after the choleraepidemic subsided.

The Arizona Water Re.source is financed in part by the followingagencies:

Arizona Department ofWater ResourcesErroll Montgomery & AssociatesSalt River ProjectUnited States Bureau of ReclamationUSGS Water Resources DivisionUrban Water Utility

Their contributions help make continued publication of thisnewsletter possible.

July-August 2001 Arizona Water Resource 11

12 Arizona Water Resource

Canals...continuedfrom page 1

tems are the largest pre-Columbian earth works in North Americaif you calculate the volume of earth moved to make them, and ar-cheologists could not find any precedent for them. It looked likefull-blown canal technology right from the beginning."

In uncovering canals 1,000 years older than the Hohokam ca-nais, archaeologists now realize irrigation technology developed inthe Sonoran Desert over a longer time period than was previouslythought. "For the first time we have a precedent in the SonoranDesert for the complex irrigation systems the Hohokam builtlater," Mabry says.

The canals also are helping settle questions about the influenceof Mexican cultures on the development of irrigation technologyin the U.S. Southwest. Southwestern cultures farmed crops that de-rived from Mexico, including maize, squash and beans, and it was alogical inference that knowledge of canals and irrigation also mi-grated northward from more advanced Mexican civilizations.

Yet the canals in the Tucson area were more complex than thecanals in Mexico, even those of the same age. 'Whereas the Mexicancanals were designed to capture slope runoff, the canals in this areadiverted a perennial river flow. The Tucson canals were traced overa quarter mile, and their alignments and gradients indicated theyconveyed water from the Santa Cruz River, which flowed mostlyyear-round during that time period. "The Tucson canals were big-ger and involved more complicated tasks than canals of a similarage in Mexico," Mabry says.

As a result researchers now speculate that the early farmers ofthe Sonoran Desert may have developed irrigation technology ontheir own, in response to their needs. Mabry says, "There is nowthe possibility that canal irrigation was a home-grown technologyin the Sonoran Desert."

Arizona WaterResource

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July-August 2001

Conditions along the Santa Cruz and other southeastern Ari-zona rivers better supported the early development of irrigationtechnology than sites within the Phoenix Basin, although the latterlocation is where the Hohokam later constructed their most theirimpressive canal systems. In the north, the Salt and Gila rivers arelarger and more powerful rivers than the Santa Cruz River, andtheir regular flooding would have washed out any efforts to con-struct canals within the flood plain.

Mabry says the Hohokam learned to cope with this situation."They learned the trick of diverting the Gila and Salt rivers andbuilt their canals up on terraces above the floodplain, out ofharm's way from the floods." This enabled them to effectively irri-gate with these unruly rivers.

The Phoenix area has not many sites older than Hohokam.Mabry explains that few wild foods grew in the area, and a culturetherefore needed a highly productive irrigated agriculture before itcould settle the area. The Hohokam developed this irrigation.

Mabry says perhaps the early farming culture in the Tucsonarea first figured out canal irrigation. "This knowledge was passedon and developed from generation to generation. The Hohokamthen took it a step further and were able to later successfully colo-nize the Phoenix Basin."

The discovery of the canals was made in 1998 as a result of anarchaeological excavation carried out in advance of an Arizona De-partment of Transportation highway construction project. Archae-ologists from Desert Archaeology, Inc. identified the canals at thesite of Las Capas ("The Layers"), at depths between two and six feetbelow the surface of the former floodplain of the Santa CruzRiver. The researchers plan to submit a report on the significanceof the canals to the journal Science.

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