TA Tidbits #84 Soggy & Aromatic
The Not-So-Gone-Soon
Since the end of the 2026 Monsoon Season (9/30/26), the Tortolita Alliance (TA) has recorded 3.89 inches of rain through 11/1/26! Yesterday (11/1/26), 1.81 inches of precipitation was received at the north end of the Tortolita Preserve.
How Much Water Does the Aquifer Get?
This extra precipitation is wonderful for our Sonoran Desert but how much really makes it to the aquifer? The University of Arizona-Center for Climate Adaption Science & Solutions has produced groundwater basin profiles for all the groundwater basins in Arizona. An excerpt from the Tucson AMA groundwater basin profile below shows that only 2.3% of total precipitation in this groundwater basin actually recharges the underground aquifers. Most of the precipiation is lost to Evapotransporation (ET).
Thus the reliance on supplemental supplies like the Colorado River. But as we all know, that source of supply has its own water supply issues, i.e. over-allocation!
Ah, the Aroma!
That distinctive Sonoran Desert aroma before, during and after a nice rain comes primarily from the creosote bush. See lead photo.
The creosote bush leaves are coated with a resin that serves as a defense mechanism and reduces water loss. That's why this vegetation is always green, even in severe drought. The leaf resin contains aromatic compounds that are released during humid and moist conditions. Ah, the aroma!
Note: the creosote used to protect wood products comes from distilling coal tar. The creosote bush got its name because the odor resembled coal tar creosote.