The Santa Cruz River Basin flows north from northern Sonora Mexico through southwestern Arizona to just south of the Gila River. The Santa Cruz river had historically perennial reaches, until drought and overuse caused it to dry up in the early 20th century. The Santa Cruz now has perennial flow again thanks to treated wastewater; however that flow is vulnerable to changes in water use and changes in human values. Using scientific study and photographic based visual art we are investigating perennial, temporary, and reborn waters of the Santa Cruz basin. Specifically, how the source and reliability of water affects the look, feel, and biota of a given stream reach; how the human history of a given reach affects the flow and biota and what it means to ‘re-create’ an ecosystem. Does it need to look and feel like the original ecosystem?