The WWRC recently released its fourteenth Arizona Water Factsheet, this time for Navajo County. This factsheet highlights key water topics, including the county’s reliance on groundwater, the significance of surface water from the Little Colorado River, and efforts to address water quality issues and wildfire impacts.
It discusses key influences on land and water management in a county where 66% of lands are tribally managed. These influences not only include climate change and increased water demands but also include legal challenges specifically unresolved tribal water rights and issues affecting nontribal entities that shape water allocation and long-term planning.
Navajo County’s water resources support agriculture and tourism, which are vital to municipal and rural populations. The factsheet underscores the importance of collaboration and educational outreach in the development of sustainable water management initiatives aimed at promoting water conservation and enhancing watershed stewardship.