Watershed Management Group’s River Run Network
Trevor Hare*1, Lisa Shipek2, Catlow Shipek3
1River Restoration Biologist, Watershed Management Group, Tucson, Arizona USA; thare@watershedmg.org; 520 906-9854
2Executive Director, Watershed Management Group, Tucson, Arizona, USA
3Policy and Technical Director, Watershed Management Group, Tucson, Arizona, USA; info@watershedmg.org, www.watershedmg.org
In 2014 Watershed Management Group started the River Run Network to foster support for our 50-year vision to restore Tucson’s heritage of flowing rivers and creeks. The network is made up of individuals and organizations that share this vision and are dedicated to taking action to protect remaining riparian areas and restore those we have lost.
The Tucson basin was divided into streamsheds that are made up of stream reaches and adjacent uplands that most influences the stream and have common characteristics and restoration goals. On our interactive web-based map the public can find their area of interest and see how the area connects to the stream through nearby drainages, arroyos, and shallow groundwater areas; and what the impacts are from nearby groundwater wells, residential and commercial developments, and road infrastructure.
For each streamshed there are specific recommendations on the actions anybody can take to enhance local groundwater infiltration, riparian habitat, and streamflow. Actions focus on conserving water, reducing groundwater demands, increasing recharge, and restoring rivers, creeks, arroyos and riparian habitat. Examples of restoration projects undertaken by WMG will be shared and include work along Tanque Verde Creek and Ciénega Creek.
The River Run Network was recently bolstered by a Bureau of Reclamation WaterSMART grant to support the formation of the Santa Cruz Watershed Collaborative and development of a Santa Cruz Watershed Restoration Plan. The Collaborative is made up of local, state and federal government agencies, conservation organizations, farmers, water providers, and businesses with a mission “To collaboratively restore the hydrological and ecological function of the watershed. By fostering cooperation, SCWC enables watershed leaders to make well-informed management and policy decisions.”