Water Resources Research Act Program

Details for Project ID AZ_2024_ Megdal

Native American Water Rights Analysis

Institute: Arizona
Year Established: 2024 Start Date: 2024-09-01 End Date: 2025-08-31
Total Federal Funds: $20,377 Total Non-Federal Funds: $15,101

Principal Investigators: Sharon Megdal

Project Summary: Indian water settlements have been taking place in Arizona since 1978. Today, 11 out of 22 federally recognized tribes in the state have resolved their water claims through water settlements. In order to determine how these water settlements have evolved over the years and how they may be formulated going forward, this study will critically analyze and review the settlements themselves and the academic literature about the settlement process, structure, and outcomes.