Link to the website of the Decision Center for a Desert City Decision Center for a Desert City's WaterSim Model

WELCOME to Arizona State University DCDC's WaterSim Project.

WaterSim is a simulation of water supply and demand for the Phoenix Metropolitan area that integrates information about climate, land use, population growth, and water policy. Adjustable settings allow you to gauge future water-supply conditions in response to climate change, drought, population growth, technological innovation, as well as policy decisions about the nature of the region's built environment, landscaping practices, and recycled water.

Picture of the boundaries of the watersheds that supply water to the Phoenix Metropolitan Area
Enlarge map Legend for the Phoenix Metropolitan Area watersheds

WaterSim contains multiple submodels; these submodels work together to simulate the future of our water. Some of the submodels, like the Colorado River shortage sharing agreement, are unchangeable because of legal or natural constraints; others can be adjusted by you. Here are some of the simulation settings that you can adjust:

  • Water demand based on population and agricultural use
  • Drought conditions on the Colorado River
  • Drought conditions on the Salt and Verde Rivers
  • The speed at which agriculture can be retired


  • Teacher's Guide to WaterSim (278K PDF document)
  • Student Handout for WaterSim (263K PDF document)
    • Link to the WaterSim model tutorial WaterSim Tutorial

    Explore WaterSim with this guided tour.

    		 Link to the web page for viewing example WaterSim scenarios WaterSim Examples

    See example scenarios.
    Link to the WaterSim model explorer WaterSim Explorer

    Choose inputs and see the results of a simulation.

    		 Link to the WaterSim model scenario builder WaterSim Scenario Builder

    Choose two sets of inputs and see the results of both simulations side-by-side.
    Acknowledgement
    & Disclaimer    		 Link to the website of the Global Institute of Sustainability