Researchers are investigating resilient agriculture-water-community systems from many perspectives and with the tools of multiple disciplines. 

Guided by system-science modeling-based tools that enable targeted local interventions and West-wide knowledge sharing, researchers engage in:

• Community engagement, building on existing projects to conduct in-depth analysis and support strategic actions
  
• Community research, based in collaborative interactions that build long-term, effective relationships between stakeholders and researchers.
• Agricultural research that improves farm-scale agricultural water efficiency and profitability, coupled with eco-hydrologic and agro-economic policy analysis at the basin and regional scales.
• Data-driven field water budgeting at community sites in three states to help develop future resilience scenarios using remote sensing, regional models, and decision tools.

Dissemination of new knowledge for resilient futures.

The RAWCS goal is resilient agricultural systems with less water, balanced surface water and groundwater systems, and resilient community systems that rely on agriculture and water.

The team will support water management education with targeted videos, water technician training, and an interactive water management game to reach students and other stakeholders and future stakeholders.

The Western Water Network (WWN) will connect stakeholders, researchers, and decision-makers across local, regional and Westwide scales to share and receive successful community water management experiences and develop stakeholder, researcher and policymaker collaborations.

Published Research Findings

2025

Idhirij, S. & Ward, F. A. (2025). Water management innovations for adapting to climate water stress: new evidence from the American Southwest. Journal of Hydrology. 663A:134220. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.jhydrol.2025.134220.