Speakers Bureau Speaker
Douglas E. Kupel, Phoenix
Doug Kupel is a historian who has worked for the City of Phoenix since 1988, conducting research for environmental litigation. He is the author of Fuel for Growth: Water and Arizona’s Urban Environment, a book about municipal water use in Arizona. He received a Ph.D. from Arizona State University and a Master’s degree from the University of Arizona, both in history. Dr. Kupel is also a registered professional archaeologist.
Presentations are suitable for high school as well as adult audiences.
Fuel for Growth: Water Challenges Facing Arizona’s Urban Environment
In this presentation, learn about the challenges over water resource development for Arizona’s three signature cities, Phoenix, Tucson, and Flagstaff. These three urban areas could hardly be more different: a growth-oriented metropolis, an environmentally conscious city with deep cultural roots, and an outdoor-friendly mountain town. Despite these differences, their community leaders and public officials have taken similar approaches to developing water resources with varying degrees of success and acceptance. As the urban West tackles progressively more complex tasks of water management, Arizona’s environment will increasingly be tied to that of its ever-expanding cities. The history of urban water use provides a basis for an engaging discussion on the future path of water development in the West’s key population centers.
• Host organization provides screen for PowerPoint presentation.
Not a Drop to Drink: Arizona’s Last Great Drought, 1920-1941
Arizona is facing a severe drought, but this is not the first significant drought Arizonans have had to endure. During a long, dry period from 1920 to 1941, Arizona suffered from a debilitating drought. While there are some similarities to today’s drought, there are differences as well. The most basic difference is that in 1941 the Valley’s water supply system was less developed than it is today, and had less room for error. In 1941, Arizona celebrated the end of the drought with a great "Day of Thanksgiving for Water" in the Salt River Valley. The event marked the first time the reservoirs of the Salt River Project had been completely filled in more than twenty years. Prior to 1941, the last time water had overflowed from the top of Roosevelt Dam was in 1920. The year 1940 was particularly dry, making the abundant rains of 1941 extremely welcome. This presentation explores how Arizona coped with drought in the past, and offers a revealing perspective on today’s challenges.
• Host organization provides screen for PowerPoint presentation.
