Recent Talk Explores Impacts of Proposed Changes to Bartlett Dam
Photo credit: Salt River Project
On February 19, 2026, the Center for Climate Adaptation Science and Solutions (CCASS) and the Water Resources Research Center (WRRC), co-hosted a hybrid talk by Haley Paul, Senior Director for Policy at Audubon Southwest, and Olivia Galvan, Senior Engineer at Salt River Project, titled Issues and Opportunities at Bartlett Dam: Exploring Impacts.
The Verde River is one of Arizona’s few remaining rivers that flows year-round. Its watershed includes Tribal lands, state parks, trails, national monuments, national forests, and diverse ecosystems. There are also two major dams and reservoirs on the Verde River: Horseshoe and Bartlett. Audubon Southwest and The Nature Conservancy in Arizona launched a StoryMap website to introduce users to the watershed and potential projects that could impact habitats and restoration opportunities: Exploring the Verde River Watershed from the headwaters down to the Valley of the Sun. During the presentation, Paul described the work that Audubon Southwest is doing to assess environmental impacts of a proposed project at Bartlett Dam, which could include loss of riparian habitat along the Verde River.
To read more about the talk and view the recording, click here.