November 1997
Confluence Newsletter
ISOTOPES IDENTIFY HEADWATERS--The source of the Verde River’s headwaters is derived from the southern extension of Big Black Mesa, an area extending from southwest of Ash Fork southeasterly toward the Verde. According to the results of a stable isotope study funded by Arizona’s Water Protection Fund, this area north of the Verde’s headwater region is supplying groundwater southeast toward the Verde headwaters area and may also contribute to wells on the eastern most side of the Big Chino Valley and several wells in lower Big Chino Valley. Precipitation in the Big Black Mesa area infiltrates downward to the west and southeast through the Martin limestone formation, a Paleozoic rock layer similar in age to some of the lower strata in the Grand Canyon. The water perches above the 1.7-billion-year-old Precambrian metamorphic basement rock. The Upper Verde River intercepts the point where these layers contact along what is known as the Great Unconformity. Here the aquifer weepage accounts for as much as a fourfold increase in river baseflow. FOR MORE INFORMATION: L.P. Knauth @ 1-602-965-2867
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WATER MINING WARNING--The Prescott Active Management Area (AMA) may face a declaration of groundwater mining in 1998. If groundwater usage records for 1997 show an overall decline in aquifer levels, the Arizona Department of Water Resources (ADWR) could implement assured water supply rules. A declaration could cause new developments to seek water supplies other than groundwater within the AMA. The possibility of a declaration was raised after groundwater declines were logged in 1995 and 1996. Wells producing less than 35 gpm and irrigating parcels two-acres or smaller would be exempt. FOR MORE INFORMATION: Phil Foster @ 1-520-778-7202
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PRESCOTT AREA UPDATES--Tri-cities officials recently reactivated the dormant Regional Water Steering Committee to address the potential impacts of a possible ADWR groundwater mining declaration. Frequent meetings are being conducted. (520-775-6210) The City of Prescott has picked a tentative March 10th election date to allow voter consideration of a $15-million bond issue which would fund purchase of Watson and Willow Lakes if 51-percent of Chino Valley Irrigation District shareholders approve. Prescott officials have until early January to decide whether to proceed with the election. (520-776-6247) The Town of Prescott Valley has signed an agreement in principle to purchase the Shamrock Water Company for $14.7-million. Legal and IRS issues are now being resolved. Prescott Valley’s population is expected to grow from just under today’s 20,000 to more than 35,000 by 2010. The Town counted less than 10,000 residents in 1990. (520-772-9207)
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PECK’S PROGRESS PRESENTED--Phelps Dodge will hold an Open House from 4-7 p.m. Nov. 12 in Clarkdale’s Clark Memorial Hall to help the public understand ongoing construction at the Verde Valley Ranch housing project at Peck’s Lake. A utility crossing of the Verde River was recently completed using an innovative inflatable diversion dam to significantly reduce instream disturbance and sedimentation. Following the Open House, a public hearing on an EPA permit required for stormwater runoff from the long-planned residential area will be held at 7:30 p.m. in the same location. FOR MORE INFORMATION: Bob Kammerle @ 1-602-234-8160
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WASTEWATER MANAGEMENT CHANGES--Seven Village of Oak Creek area residents are the new Board of Directors of the reorganized Big Park Domestic Wastewater Improvement District. The local group takes over district management duties from the Yavapai County Board of Supervisors. All boundaries, assets, liabilities, fees and permits remain the same. Planning continues for treatment plant expansion in the next few years. FOR MORE INFORMATION: Ruth Kane @ 1-520-284-2875
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SEDONA PROJECTS PROCEED--The Oak Creek Canyon Scenic Corridor Action Plan, a visioning process for the popular tourist mecca, will be aired from 4-8 p.m. Nov. 13 at the Sedona Elks Lodge. Water quality problems, trampled streambanks, crowded recreation sites and traffic congestion are being addressed in a plan which will set the trend for management activities over the next 20 years. Coconino National Forest planners are also gearing up to resume the NEPA process for the Sedona area’s longest running controversial issue--The Alternate Crossing. The City of Sedona recently chipped in $48,000 to supplement $173,000 already provided by Yavapai County for Environmental Impact Statement (EIS) preparation. In house work and selective consulting services will be used to complete the process. Forest Service staff will consolidate and organize existing materials by year’s end. A draft EIS could be produced within a year. Meanwhile, proposed amendments to the Forest Plan in the Sedona area are undergoing a Section 7 consultation with the U.S. Fish & Wildlife Service. FOR MORE INFORMATION: Ken Anderson @ 1-520-282-4119
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NOVEMBER CHAIRMAN’S REPORT--VWA hosted an informative field trip for the Non-Point Source Grazing Advisory Committee. Thanks to rancher David Gipe for helping the group understand effective Best Management Practices on the Verde River. Thanks also to Al Medina for his insights about just what is a healthy natural stream. If anyone needs of range management monitoring information or materials give me a call. It’s time to be well-prepared and get out in front. Attendance was good at the Precott’s October VWA except for the fact that there were only 3 private citizens compared to 22 agency personnel. Perhaps attendance would improve if the Prescott and Chino meetings were combined. VWA Committee appointments have begun and VWA’s public members are needed to man those groups. The Nominating Committee will be appointed in November. Agency people are anxious to serve as advisors but insist on private ownership to be the basis of committee structure. Here’s your opportunity to make a difference. Help get VWA’s job done by signing up for a committee. Let’s do it right the first time. FOR MORE INFORMATION: Jay Wilkinson@ 1-520-778-0528
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TYPICAL FALL RUNOFF--The Verde River produced 12,740 acre-feet of water yield during October or 94-percent of median. The 1997 flow was about two thousand acre-feet larger than last year. River water passing under the Camp Verde bridge is normal for this time of year at about 100 cubic feet per second. The watershed received .84 inches of precipitation, also very near normal for the fall dry season. Horseshoe Reservoir is only 8-percent full while Bartlett holds 58-percent of capacity. SRP’s Phoenix water usage during October was 71,340 acre-feet, 31-percent above median. FOR MORE INFORMATION: Charlie Ester @ 1-602-236-2587
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GEOGRAPHY MYTH DIES--A long-standing legend places the geographic center of Arizona at Squaw Peak, a prominent volcanic promontory overlooking Camp Verde. New work by a California researcher and two Arizona state government Geographical Information Systems experts relocates the Arizona’s centerpoint much farther south in the Limestone Hills of the Tonto Nat’l Forest’s Mazatzal Wilderness. The spot is situated east of the Verde River almost directly across the river from another prominent volcanic landmark: Squaw Butte. The area is south of the Verde’s confluence with the East Verde. FOR MORE INFORMATION: Stephen Joiner--70721.602@compuserve.com
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COORDINATOR REPORT--Salt River Project meteorologist Chuck Dempsey will discuss hydrological impacts of past El Niños at the November VWA meeting. Habitat needs for the endangered Southwest Willow Flycatcher will be outlined by the U.S. Fish & Wildlife Service at a public Open House, 4-9 p.m., January 28 in the Camp Verde Community Center. Updates to the VWA internet home page include a history of the water well which changed Sedona’s future. NOTE: The VWA meeting room at the Village of Oak Creek will open at 5:30 p.m. to allow 90 minutes for additional networking and social contact for members and guests. No food or beverages will be served but "early birds" are welcome to brown bag. FOR MORE INFORMATION: John Parsons @ 1-520-567-6645
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