February 1998
Confluence Newsletter
CONTAMINATION CASE SETTLED--Arizona Water Company will pay $75,000 in fines and investigative costs and another $25,000 to monitor Oak Creek water quality under terms of recent plea agreements to settle criminal charges stemming from discharge of 120,000 gallons of well drilling fluids into Oak Creek’s Unique Waters near Arroyo Roble Resort in March 1997. A separate civil Consent Judgement requires the company to pay another $75,000 in civil penalties and investigative costs. The water utility also agreed to begin a company-wide environmental management system which includes compliance audits and training, unannounced inspections and employees discipline for environmental law violation. Indictments in the case were issued in Coconino County Superior Court in June 1997. In addition, the company’s Sedona office manager, Raymond Miller, will be sentenced to 100 hours of community service, pay a $2,000 fine and be put on probation for 18 months. Miller also was required to write a letter of apology to the local newspaper, according to a news release from ADEQ and the Attorney General’s Office. FOR MORE INFORMATION: Amy Rezzonico @ 1-602-207-2215
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GROUNDWATER MODEL DESCRIBED--VWA will sponsor two educational seminars to help the public understand a modeling system which is used to evaluate groundwater flow in the Prescott Active Management Area. Arizona Dept. of Water Resources (DWR) hydrologist Edwin Corkhill will present a report which details how a numerical groundwater flow model simulates flows through and between a lower volcanic rock unit and the upper alluvial aquifers of the Prescott AMA basin. The DWR model was developed to evaluate pre-settlement conditions as well as conditions between 1940 and 1993. The hydrogeologic perspectives involved in the modeling simulations factor into determinations which might be made with regard to a possible groundwater mining declaration for the area. Corkhill’s technical presentation will take place at 6 p.m. February 17 in the Camp Verde Town Council Chambers, 473 S. Main St. and at 7 p.m., February 19, in the Glassford Hill Middle School Auditorium, 6901 Panther Pass Road, Prescott Valley. FOR MORE INFORMATION: Jim Holt @ 1-520-778-7202
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NIÑO OR NADA?--Will the much-touted El Niño delivery enough water to fill the Verde River reservoirs by the end of April? As the clock ticks down on the wettest winter months, observers are beginning to ponder how much rain and snowfall will be needed to plump up Horseshoe and Bartlett Reservoirs Reservoirs. Since only 12-percent of the Verde watershed is above 7,000 feet, as much as 6-10 additional feet of snow might be required in those areas to produce sufficient water yield under optimal runoff conditions. This hypothetical figure would vary widely depending on the amount, rate and distribution of rainfall at lower elevations. As of February 1, the two reservoirs held 106,837 acre-feet, more than one-third below median. Normal inflow through April 30 would be 150,000 ac.-ft. and normal releases into the Phoenix metroplex canal systems would be 203,000 ac.-ft. Maximum storage capacity of the Verde system is 310,000 ac.-ft. Therefore, a theoretical 256,400 ac.ft. would be necessary to fill the system prior to the peak demand summer months. Inflow from the Verde watershed into Horseshoe during January was only 22,429 ac.-ft of 54-percent of median. Inflow last year as 39,872. Horseshoe Reservoir is now holding only 10-percent of capacity and the water level is 60 feet down from the top of the dam. Normal February Verde runoff production is 36,700 ac.-ft. Last year, the watershed yielded 26,700 ac.-ft. Record maximum February runoff was 634,000 ac.-ft in 1980 and the lowest ever recorded took place in 1961 at 12,500 ac.-ft. The last similar El Niño in 1983 produced 158,400 ac.-ft. January’s watershed precipitation was barely half of normal. Warm weather drew down the snowpack to well below average going into February. Normal February watershed precipitation is 1.58 inches.FOR MORE INFORMATION: Charlie Ester @ 1-602-236-2587
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DESIGN CONSIDERS TREES--The location of four trees, two large cottonwoods and two mulberry trees has complicated plans to widen Hwy 89A near Cottonwood. As a result, Arizona Dept. of Transportation officials have delayed project bidding 6-8 months to allow more time to discuss the fate of the trees. The issue has received considerable media attention and another opportunity for additional public input will be scheduled soon. The trees are located on the south side of Hwy 89A between a tire business and the Verde River. FOR MORE INFORMATION: Vicki Bever @ 1-602-255-8161
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CHRISTMAS BIRD COUNT--Several surprises surfaced in the Northern Az. Audubon Society’s annual survey of avian species. European starlings once again tallied the highest numbers but bird watchers sighted almost third-thirds (10,000) less than last year. By contract chipping sparrows jumped from 197 last year to 1,250. Over 500 Mountain Bluebirds were sighted around Sedona, more than triple the number of Gambel’s Quail logged in the same area. Fewer owls and eagles were noticed and not one grosbeak of any kind was sighted in any of the five count locations, As usual, waterfowl were most numerous in the Jerome count zone which includes Peck’s Lake. A Hammond’s Flycatcher, Black & White Warblers and a Curved-Billed Thrasher were among the rare birds sighted. FOR MORE INFORMATION: Dottie Hook @ 1-520-567-2381
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