
Water for the Santa Cruz River Ecosystem
Bringing water from the Conservation Effluent Pool into action. Good news broke last March at Santa Cruz River Research Days: Pima County received approval to permanently allocate water to sustain river flows benefiting… MORE ›

A Living River: Supplementary Data for Downtown Tucson to Marana 2013 to 2020 water years
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 in wastewater treatment upgrades. This supplementary report summarizes data… MORE ›

Dragonfly Day on the Santa Cruz River
Virtual and in-person sessions FREE Celebrate the colorful dragonflies living along the Santa Cruz River! October 1 Dragonfly Talk 7–8 P.M. Learn about dragonfly ecology with local dragonfly expert, Jeff Babson, in this… MORE ›

Nearly a Foot of Rain this Monsoon for the Santa Cruz River
By all measures, this year’s monsoon is making up for lost time. Historical records from the Santa Cruz River valley are checkered wildly. One year’s entry marks the river as “full of water”… MORE ›

A Living River: Supplementary Data for Nogales Wash to Amado 2008 to 2019 water years
The Living River reports were developed to annually gauge conditions of this valuable ecosystem, the Santa Cruz River. This supplementary report summarizes data from Nogales Wash to Amado from the past twelve water… MORE ›

A Living River: Where Community and Nature Meet
Charting Santa Cruz River Conditions from Northwest Tucson to Marana – 2019 Water Year The Santa Cruz River near El Camino Del Cerro and flowing north into Marana, has been improving for almost… MORE ›

A Living River: Supplementary Data for Northwest Tucson to Marana 2013 to 2019 water years
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 in wastewater treatment upgrades. This supplementary report… MORE ›

Dragonfly Day on the Santa Cruz River
9 – 11:30 AM Virtual event FREE Celebrate the colorful dragonflies living along the Santa Cruz River! Event schedule: 9 to 10 a.m. Meet the Santa Cruz River! Learn about dragonflies and river ecology… MORE ›

Santa Cruz River
The Santa Cruz River has provided life-sustaining water for more than 12,000 years. Climate aridification and a century of overuse has negatively impacted the river, however we can continue to restore its vitality.

POSTPONED: Santa Cruz River Trash Cleanup
8am-11AM Santa Cruz RiVer at El camino del cerro TUCSON, AZ To our wonderful Santa Cruz River cleanup volunteers, We will be rescheduling our April 19, 2020 cleanup event to prevent the spread… MORE ›

A Living River: Supplementary Data for Nogales Wash to Amado 2008 to 2018 water years
This supplementary report summarizes data from Nogales Wash to Amado from the past eleven water years. The report provides details on the water context and data for 12 indicators of river health.

The Difference Between a ‘Ghost River’ and a Living River
Elise Christmon leans in as if to tell a secret. “If you want to see something cool and unexpected, come see the Santa Cruz River. You think you have an idea of what… MORE ›

When You and the River Meet
Numbers and dots on a map do not say everything about the river’s value. The community’s experiences and stories are equally important. —Amanda Smith, Program Coordinator Over the course of several months, I… MORE ›

Caring for the Santa Cruz River: Making Improvements for Nature and Community
Newly Released Living River Report for Water Year 2018 Highlights Aquatic Invertebrate Diversity Increase and Improved Water Quality The health of the Santa Cruz River continues to improve significantly. The return of aquatic… MORE ›

A Living River: Supplementary Data for Northwest Tucson to Marana 2013 to 2018 water years
This supplementary report summarizes data from the past six water years. The report provides details on the water context and data for 16 indicators of river health.

Dragonfly Day on the Santa Cruz River
9 AM–2 PM Crossroads at Silverbell Park 7548 N Silverbell Rd. • Tucson, AZ 85743 (Ramada #2 near baseball diamonds) Celebrate the colorful dragonflies living along the Santa Cruz River! Event schedule: 9am… MORE ›

Creating Flowing, Living Rivers with Aquifer Recharge Projects
Last week, Arizona’s legislature and Governor Ducey approved the state’s participation in a Drought Contingency Plan that enacts voluntary cutbacks in Colorado River water delivered through the Central Arizona Project canal. Prolonged drought… MORE ›

Setting the Course for New Research on the Santa Cruz River
One of the most interesting parts of this year’s Santa Cruz River Research Days was a special panel and discussion session to determine priorities for future research. The speakers, researchers and community leaders… MORE ›

Ten Years of Research to Improve the Health of the Santa Cruz River
Celebrating increased collaboration Yes, the Santa Cruz River has changed since people first entered the region over 12,000 years ago, but the river is certainly not lost. The Santa Cruz is a Living… MORE ›

Sharing Research to Improve Life Along the Santa Cruz
Tenth annual Research Days includes premiere of new online tool and field trip The Sonoran Institute is hosting the Santa Cruz River Research Days 10th Anniversary event, drawing scientists and community leaders from… MORE ›