On Dec. 19, 2024, the Arizona Department of Water Resources (ADWR) officially designated the Willcox Groundwater Basin as the state’s seventh Active Management Area (AMA). The date of designation, as defined in A.R.S. § 45-402, took effect on January 1, 2025.

According to the Department, “Pursuant to A.R.S. § 45-416 irrigation users may irrigate only those acres of land within the Willcox AMA which were legally irrigated at any time during the five years preceding October 23, 2024. “Irrigate” is defined in A.R.S. § 45-402 and means to apply water to two or more acres of land to produce plants or parts of plants for sale or human consumption, or for use as feed for livestock, range livestock or poultry.”

To view a copy of the complete Findings, Decision and Order, click here.