Whitewater Draw is located in southern Cochise County. The area is characterized by isolated mountain ranges separated by broad alluvial valleys. Vegetation ranges from grassland in the valleys to pine forest on the mountain tops. Most of the land is used for livestock ranches, wildlife and recreation, with smaller amounts of cultivated land.

Land ownership in the Whitewater NRCD includes private, State, and federal lands, including some wildlife preserves. The District was initially established to address mainly farming problems such as salt accumulations and sulfur and smoke resulting from emissions of the copper smelter in Douglas. Declining water tables were also a problem. Since the closing of the smelter and establishment of a Irrigation Non-Expansion Area, farming has once again increased in profitability and importance over the years. However, the emphasis of the District on rangeland issues has increased over the years, because this is by far the dominant land type.