The surface water that has sustained thousands of years of human habitation in the Tucson area is mostly gone because of over-pumping of groundwater and the degradation of our creeks, wetlands, and rivers. The current state of our channels and their associated habitat is grim but we can get back some of what we have lost with relatively simple strategies.
This short guide has been developed to help landowners and managers, businesses and homeowners, and others manage stormwater to reduce erosion and benefit downstream riparian areas.
The key action we can take to protect and restore our landscapes and downstream riparian forests and wetlands is to enhance infiltration through slowing, spreading, and soaking in storm water flows as well as reducing our groundwater demands in critical shallow groundwater areas. Most of our restoration and erosion control strategies not only benefit the creeks and wetlands but also help to retain soil moisture for healthy upland vegetation.