The Economic Impact of Arizona’s Rivers, Lakes, and Streams

We’re making an economic case for why we must protect Arizona’s rivers, lakes, and streams —through investments to restore watersheds and wildlife habitat, as well as smart policies that improve Arizona’s water outlook. 

We know that water is life in Arizona. The economic impact provided by the water supplies from our rivers and reservoirs is clear—just look at the large metropolitan areas, acres of agricultural production, and myriad industries supported by water in the West.  

But what is the economic value of water flowing in our rivers, lakes, and streams? 

To get at this question, Audubon worked with Southwick Associates, an outdoor-focused research firm, to analyze the economic contributions associated with water-based outdoor recreation in Arizona, defined as doing the following activities on or along rivers, lakes, and streams in Arizona:  

• Bicycling
• Camping
• Fishing
• Hunting/target shooting
• Picnicking/relaxing outdoors
• Trail sports (hiking, backpacking, trail running, horseback riding, climbing, and mountaineering)
• Water sports (swimming, canoeing, kayaking, rafting, paddle-boarding, boating)
• Wildlife watching 

The new analysis assessed participation by Arizona residents and the time they spent recreating between September 2024 and August 2025. The study also estimated resident and non-resident spending on various water-based recreational activities to measure the economic contributions generated annually from rivers, lakes, and streams throughout the state.