Pima County and Sonoran Institute Continue Work with Lower Santa Cruz
Newly Released Living River Report Demonstrates Sustained Improvements TUCSON, Ariz. (September 11, 2017)– Pima County and the Sonoran Institute have completed the final EPA-funded report in a series entitled A Living River. The… MORE ›
Santa Cruz River Improvements Workshops
Your voice is an important part of the Santa Cruz River! Have you ever thought that your regular route on the Loop trail could use a drinking fountain? Would you rather see… MORE ›
A Living River: Charting Wetland Conditions of the Lower Santa Cruz River (2016 Water Year)
Developed in conjunction with Pima County, this fourth report examines changes in indicators of river health along a 23-mile stretch of the Lower Santa Cruz River in Southern Arizona during the 2016 water year.
River Visioning: Santa Cruz County
Help advocate for and protect the flowing Santa Cruz River within Santa Cruz County. Tell us which elements of the river are most important and meaningful for you and your community. Perhaps your family… MORE ›
Santa Cruz River: Paradise Lost, Paradise Reborn, Will it be Lost Again?
The federally endangered Gila topminnow had not been seen in its native habitat, the Santa Cruz River, for more than a decade. Then, in December 2015 they came back.
Sonoran Institute Calls for Binational Collaboration on International Outfall Interceptor Breach Impacting Santa Cruz River
TUCSON, Ariz. (August 2, 2017) — As the result of a leak discovered last week in the International Outfall Interceptor (IOI) near Nogales, Arizona, raw sewage is spilling into Potrero Creek. Water from… MORE ›
Santa Cruz River Research Days
This FREE annual event is a venue for learning about research and conservation efforts that pertain to the natural and cultural resources along the Santa Cruz River. Our goals for this event are to trigger new research questions, promote… MORE ›
Endangered Fish Thriving in Santa Cruz River
Recycled Wastewater Vital for Ecosystem Recovery The endangered Gila topminnow, which returned to the Santa Cruz River after a 10 year absence, now appears to be thriving. The native Arizona species, listed under… MORE ›
Re-Envisioning the Upper Santa Cruz River
A few weeks ago, the Sonoran Institute hosted a meeting of stakeholders in the Upper Santa Cruz River in southern Arizona to discuss what they value about the river. The gathering is part… MORE ›
Pima County, Sonoran Institute Plan Fish Survey for Lower Santa Cruz River
On November 9, staff from Pima County’s Regional Flood Control District, Regional Wastewater Reclamation Department and Office of Sustainability and Conservation and the Sonoran Institute will take part in a “Fish Survey” at… MORE ›
Lower Santa Cruz River Study Results
Newly Released Living River Report Tracks Changing River Conditions TUCSON, Ariz. (July 12, 2016) – Pima County and the Sonoran Institute have finalized the third EPA-funded report in a series entitled A Living… MORE ›
A Living River: Charting Wetland Conditions of the Lower Santa Cruz River (2015 Water Year)
Developed in conjunction with Pima County, this third report examines changes in indicators of river health along a 23-mile stretch of the Lower Santa Cruz River in Southern Arizona during the 2015 water year (October 1, 2014–September 30, 2015).
8th Annual Santa Cruz River Research Days
What We Do in the Santa Cruz The Santa Cruz River Initiative is focused on restoration of watershed health with an aim to improve local water supplies. Our overall goals are to: secure… MORE ›
Endangered Fish Rediscovered in Santa Cruz River
Return Demonstrates Role of Recycled Wastewater in Ecosystem Recovery “We have seen such an improvement in water quality from a 2009 upgrade to the international wastewater treatment plant that we knew Gila topminnow… MORE ›
Santa Cruz River Coming Back to Life – 09.09.2011
“We had a wake-up call in 2005 when there was a massive die-off of native cottonwoods and willows along eight miles of the Santa Cruz near Rio Rico,” said Emily Brott, Southern Arizona… MORE ›
Seasonal river cleanups could be a new community conservation tradition in Tucson – Arizona Luminaria
“At 10 a.m. Luke Cole, the Sonoran Institute’s director for resilient communities and watersheds, stands atop the ramp that leads down to the Santa Cruz River. Cole looks like the intrepid wildlife explorers you would imagine as a child…”
A Bridge Without Its River
It would be an easy site to miss, compared to nearby attractions like the de Anza Trail and the Santa Cruz River, but this cement ruin means something more to Diana. It was once a pedestrian bridge that spanned the wide Santa Cruz River, and Diana used to walk across this bridge to visit her grandmother on the other side. The bridge has been partially removed and is now almost completely forgotten; the river is no longer wide enough to need it.
A Living River: Supplementary Data for 2013 to 2016
The Living River reports were developed to annually gauge conditions of this valuable ecosystem, the Santa Cruz River, and track the impacts of our community investment. This supplementary report summarizes data from the past four water years. The report provides details on the water context and data for 16 indicators of river health.
A Living River: Supplementary Data for 2013 to 2015
The Living River reports were developed to annually gauge conditions of this valuable ecosystem, the Santa Cruz River, and track the impacts of our community investment. This supplementary report summarizes data from the 2013, 2014, and 2015 water years. The report provides details on the water context and data for 16 indicators of river health.
Here Fishy-Fishy! The 2023 SI fish survey
In late 2023, blue skies and sunshine found Sonoran Institute staff, partners, and friends knee-deep in water for our 16th annual fish survey. Their objective: identify which fish species are currently observed in… MORE ›