Bridges of the Verde Watershed

Vehicular bridges of the Verde Watershed

Below is a list of the vehicle-capable bridges which cross the perennial rivers and streams of the Verde watershed located above the reservoirs in Maricopa County.

It is important to note that at least one tributary of the Verde--Granite Creek--is perennial near its headwaters. Several bridges cross this perennial trickle in that region. However, we used a definiteion for perennial which is "perennial at the confluence with the Verde River". This eliminates several bridges which you might be likely to count into the total.

Another tricky example is the Sullivan Lake Bridge. Even though Sullivan Lake is often thought of as the beginning of flow for the Verde, the flow there is definitely NOT perennial so that bridge is not counted.

Verde River Bridges

Perkinsville
Tuzigoot
Dead Horse Ranch State Park
Highway 89A near Cottonwood
Southbound I-17
Nourthbound I-17
The Camp Verde Black Bridge
The Camp Verde White Bridge

Oak Creek

Pumphouse Wash--NOTE: This choice has been called into question by those who feel Pumphouse Wash is not perennial. From personal observation over tha past 20 years there appears to be perennial water within a few yards of the technical confluence and therefore the bridge was counted.

Slide Rock

Highway 179

Red Rock State Park--NOTE: This is a "trick" bridge as few people know about it and only a handful are authorized to use it. However, it is capable of carrying vehicular traffic and must be counted.

Page Springs

Cornville

Beaver Creek

Forest Service Road 618 at Beaver Creek Campground

Lake Montezuma

NOTE: None of the five Dry Beaver Creek system bridges were counted because it is not perennial at its confluence with Wet Beaver Creek. Likewise Walker Creek bridge on 618 was not counted for the same reason.

West Clear Creek

Highway 260 at Camp Verde

Fossil Creek

Fossil Creek near Irvine Power Plant

The East Verde River

Highway 87 North of Payson

Note: All other East Verde crossings are "low water" style concrete ramps

Note: There are many other notable vehicular bridges, several swinging foot bridges, numerous low water crossing and one very expensive replica of the historic "Sheep Bridge". You can also drive across the top of two dams and ford by vehicle, horseback or foot at many locations along the course of the river and its tributaries. Many dry canyons of the watershed have notables bridges--Hell Canyon is perhaps the most spectacular and Midgley Bridge the most famous. There is also one photogenic railroad bridge over the Verde and several other railroad bridges of special note. The list of 19 vehicular bridges above is only a very small and specialized portion of the Bridges of the Verde Watershed. Perhaps someday someone will see fit to do a master's thesis on the construction and use of all formal river crossing. Or perhaps at least a decent photo essay. We hope this trivia has sparked your curiosity about the fascinating world of bridges in our backyard.