Arizona Towns Struggle as Drought Deepens

Experts warn of tougher years ahead for water-stressed communities

Apr. 16, 2026 at 4:52am

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A sweeping, atmospheric landscape painting depicting the vast, parched expanse of the Arizona desert under a dramatic, hazy sky, conveying the overwhelming scale and severity of the ongoing drought.As drought tightens its grip on Arizona, the state's vast, arid landscapes serve as a sobering reminder of the urgent need for water conservation.Mesa Today

Drought conditions continue to grip Arizona, with small towns like Kearny already feeling the impacts. More than 70% of the state is experiencing drought, and experts say the long-term trend of hotter, drier weather is accelerating water loss. The Water Use It Wisely campaign is urging Arizonans to conserve water through various tips, as rural and isolated communities remain at higher risk of running low on water supplies.

Why it matters

The deepening drought in Arizona is a major concern, as the state's water resources are already strained. Small towns that rely heavily on depleted reservoirs are particularly vulnerable, and the long-term outlook suggests the situation could worsen in the coming years. Water conservation efforts are crucial to help stretch limited resources and maintain quality of life for Arizonans.

The details

Arizona is currently experiencing drought conditions across more than 70% of the state. A lack of winter storms and below-average mountain snowfall have left reservoirs depleted, which is a critical issue for rural towns that rely almost entirely on those water sources. The Colorado River snowpack is only about 20% of where it should be, which has major implications for Arizona and other basin states that rely on that water. As the overall climate gets warmer, the atmosphere will become 'thirstier' and suck up more water from the ground, leading to more intense droughts.

  • The current drought conditions have been gripping Arizona for an extended period.
  • This year's snowpack in the Colorado River basin is one of the driest on record.

The players

Amber Sullins

ABC15 Chief Meteorologist who says this year's snowpack is especially troubling.

Donna DiFrancesco

Helps lead the Water Use It Wisely campaign, which works to educate Arizonans about water conservation.

Demetrius Ferguson

A Mesa resident who says even small changes in daily habits can make a difference in water conservation.

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What they’re saying

“I don't think you can stop it, honestly. I think we're going to run out of water.”

— Mike Gallagher, Mesa resident

“The Colorado snowpack this year is about 20% of where it should be. It's one of the driest we've seen in a very long time. And that has implications for Arizona and all the other basin states that rely on Colorado River water.”

— Amber Sullins, ABC15 Chief Meteorologist

“It's really important for everyone to do their part and to save water for our quality of life here.”

— Donna DiFrancesco, Water Use It Wisely campaign

“When you're brushing your teeth, turn off the water while it's not being used.”

— Demetrius Ferguson, Mesa resident

What’s next

The Water Use It Wisely campaign continues working with municipalities and water providers to strengthen conservation efforts statewide, as Arizonans hope awareness and action can help stretch the state's limited water resources.

The takeaway

The deepening drought in Arizona is a serious challenge that requires a multi-pronged approach, including increased public awareness and participation in water conservation efforts. Small changes in daily habits, as well as larger-scale landscape and infrastructure updates, will be crucial to helping Arizona communities weather the tougher years ahead.