Water Benefits

CCRN projects provided more than 6,000 acre-feet (AF) of water benefits in 2021 and a total of more than 41,000 AF since 2015. CCRN tracks the cumulative water benefits as recharge, retired historical pumping, and precluded future pumping. Other projects being pursued by individual members are not reflected on the list tracked by CCRN.

Among the 8 sites, the Sierra Vista Environmental Operations Park (EOP) Effluent Recharge project and Three Canyons Conservation Site are responsible for nearly 80% of the calculated water benefits accrued by the network through recharge and retired pumping, respectively.

Since 2015, CCRN project benefits total 41,209 acre-feet (AF) with 31,709 AF of recharge and retired pumping and 9,500 AF of precluded pumping.

The CCRN methodology for calculating the water benefits is generally consistent with the 2014 Biological Opinion for Fort Huachuca. Precluded pumping is calculated from the zoning density of the parcel with an average of 2.5 people per household, at a per capita usage of 118 gallons. Retired pumping is based on acres retired with a water duty of 3.4 AF/acre. (Note this number was revised retroactively in 2021.)

Mission

The mission of the Cochise Conservation & Recharge Network (CCRN) is to implement a regional network of land and water management projects that result in a healthy watershed, flowing San Pedro River, conservation of water resources, and a vibrant local economy.

Member Organizations

The CCRN was formed in 2015. The members are Cochise County, the City of Sierra Vista, The Nature Conservancy, Hereford Natural Resources Conservation District, the City of Bisbee, Fort Huachuca, and the U.S. Bureau of Land Management.