AHIS provides a comprehensive framework for knowledge management and information discovery using data related to physiographic surveys, hydrologic observations, and water resources monitoring and assessment throughout the State of Arizona. The development of AHIS is a state-wide, collaborative effort led by AWI and involving three state universities (the University of Arizona, Arizona State University, and Northern Arizona University), three state administrative departments (the Arizona Departments of Water Resources, Environmental Quality, and Commerce), numerous federal agencies (e.g., the USGS, the Bureau of Reclamation, the Bureau of Land Management, and the National Weather Service), regional water and power providers (e.g., the Central Arizona Project, the Salt River Project, and local water utilities), county and municipal organizations throughout the state, tribal authorities, nongovernmental organizations, and volunteer observer networks.

The goal of the AHIS initiative is to bring together the information held and provided by these entities regarding all aspects of water availability, quality, and use so that:

1. these data can be more widely disseminated to the user community,
2. the combination of multiple data sources and types may lead to the development of new information and knowledge by correlation and analysis, and
3. the combined wealth of data may be of greater use to stakeholders and decision-makers in water-related communities of practice.

The approach to AHIS development remains inherently multi-disciplinary and addresses the needs of data collectors, providers and consumers in numerous water-related fields from both scientific and engineering perspectives. It is intended that the data clearinghouse and analytical tools made available in AHIS will provide invaluable support to governmental agencies and affiliated policymakers, tribal organizations and groups, private firms and consulting services, and academic research and technology development for hydrology- and water-related planning, education and outreach within Arizona and throughout the arid and semi-arid Southwest.