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Guest presenter says Cienega Basin appears to recharge beyond the local watershed; committee calls for more study
Summary
Guest presenter Chris Werkhoven showed slides comparing the Santa Cruz AMA and Cienega Creek basins and said existing data are insufficient; he recommended further study to quantify how much the Cienega Basin supplies neighboring areas.
Chris Werkhoven, a guest presenter at the Sonoita Creek Flood and Flow Study Committee’s March 20 meeting, showed slides arguing that the Cienega Creek Basin contributes recharge beyond the local watershed and that no comprehensive water-balance dataset currently exists to answer how much water is available.
Werkhoven presented comparative slides on the Santa Cruz AMA Basin and the Cienega Creek Basin and said his compilation of available data suggests recharge from the Cienega Basin extends to neighboring areas — potentially affecting groundwater assets well beyond Patagonia. He told the committee that, based on his review, "there is currently no water balance data by any organization to answer these questions" and recommended targeted study to quantify supply and recharge from the Cienega Creek Basin.
Committee members listened while Werkhoven described two slides that show regional recharge patterns; the presentation emphasized that understanding the Cienega Basin’s contribution is necessary to plan for supply, demand and storage across the broader region. No formal motion followed the presentation; the committee listed further watershed water-balance study work on the agenda for later discussion.
The committee did not set a study scope or funding source at the meeting. Members indicated the topic will remain on future agendas so that staff and volunteers can refine study needs and potential partners.
