Statewide Planning

Welcome to the Rural Programs / Rural Water Studies website. The information provided here is intended as a resource for people living in the 87 percent of Arizona located outside the state’s five Active Management Areas (AMAs).

Active Management Areas

During the past 20 years, the Arizona Department of Water Resources has created the five AMAs to monitor urban, agricultural, industrial, and mining activity stemming from the heavy concentration of population and water use in certain parts of Arizona. The AMA numbers are striking:

Rural Programs

The Department's Statewide Planning Section has worked with rural groups to implement the Rural Watershed Initiative Program. The Arizona Legislature has provided funding since FY 1999-2000 and several million dollars have been leveraged from other governmental agencies as the watershed programs have evolved.

Click here for Watershed Partnership Interactive Map

Agua Fria River photos courtesy of Cliff Hersted

Statewide Planning

Over the past years, the Department has provided substantial planning assistance to rural areas with expanding populations, limited groundwater resources and unique environmental features. The Department has assisted citizen organizations and local governments by providing technical information and analysis, administrative support and advice on water issues.