Fossil Creek Watershed
and Riparian Restoration


photo: Ian Reed, U.S. Forest Service

About Fossil Creek

Fossil Creek has had the vast majority of its flow diverted to the Childs-Irving Hydroelectric Facility for the past 100 years. That changed on June 18, 2005, when Arizona Public Service Company (APS) decommissioned the power plants and returned full flows of approximately 46 cfs (cubic feet per second) to FOssil Creek. 

Fossil Creek is a unique warm-water perennial stream that flows from a complex of springs 14 miles to the Verde River (see map below). Located in the Mazatzal Mountains in central Arizona, Fossil Creek flows through remote and rugged terrain including a portion of the Mazatzal Wilderness. Fossil Springs produced a constant supply of water that is approximately 70 degrees Fahrenheit and the creek is known for its travertine pools.

The restoration of full flows at Fossil Creek provides one of the best opportunities for stream and riparian restoration in the Southwest where over 90% of wetland and riparian areas have been lost or severely degraded over the last century.

Research and monitoring prior to and after the return of full flows at Fossil Creek is being conducted by many entities including: U.S. Forest Service, Coconino and Tonto National Forests; Northern Arizona University; Arizona Game and Fish Department; U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service; and U.S. Bureau of Reclamation.

This webpage will provide a venue for the public, agencies, scientists, and conservation organizations in Arizona and throughout the country to have convenient access to information about the restoration of Fossil Creek. Information will include baseline data collection, public meetings, a comprehensive monitoring plan, the State of the Watershed Report, science-based and social-based recommendations, and a summary of lessons learned. This site will serve as an archive of the restoration, research and monitoring at Fossil Creek conducted by all organizations involved in bringing about the restoration of this unique area. Significant funding for this project comes from the Nina Mason Pulliam Charitable Trust.

Recent Information Concerning Fossil Creek

Coconino Forest Plan Revision
The Coconino National Forest is currently revising their Forest Plan. If you have comments regarding management of the Fossil Creek area, now is the time to let the Forest Service know. Go to the Coconino Forest Plan Revision Website to find out about public meetings, how to submit comments, and review documents and maps.

Documentary to be Shown on PBS Stations Around the Country
The story of how students, scientists and businesses joined forces to return a creek to its full and natural force is told in A River Reborn: The Restoration of Fossil Creek.  A River Reborn is scheduled to air on KAET Arizona Public Television and other PBS stations around the country in 2007. A DVD will be available in January 2007. Visit www.RiverReborn.org for more details on the documentary and when it will be shown on PBS.  For more information about the documentary A River Reborn, read the one-page summary of the project:
Executive Summary

Wild and Scenic River Designation Bill Introduced
Representative Rick Renzi and Senator John McCain introduced a bill on July 28, 2006 to designate Fossil Creek in the National Wild & Scenic Rivers System. Designation would protect the free-flowing condition and "outstanding remarkable values" of Fossil Creek. To qualify, a river must be free-flowing and must be deemed to have one or more "outstandingly remarkable" scenic, recreational, geologic, fish and wildlife, historic, cultural, or other similar values. Only 165 rivers in the U.S. have been designated, with a stretch of the Verde River representing the only Wild and Scenic River in Arizona.

According to the Arizona Wilderness Coalition, since the bill's introduction, Trent Franks has signed on to co-sponsor as well as Congressman Vic Snyder from Arkansas and Senator John Ensign from Nevada. Locally, the towns of Camp Verde, Clarkdale, and Cottonwood have either passed resolutions or written letters in support of the wild and scenic designation. Republicans for Environmental Protection, Arizona Wildlife Federation, and The Nature Conservancy have come out publicly supporting the designation.

Currently, the Arizona Wilderness Coalition indicates that they have been informed that the congressional calendar is extremely full and there are many bills that are in line in front of the Fossil Creek bill. If the Fossil Creek bill does not pass this year, then Senator McCain and Representative Renzi will immediately reintroduce the bill in the 110th congress.
Read Rick Renzi's Press Release

Figure from: Draft Environmental Assessment, Native Fish Restoration
in Fossil Creek, U.S. Bureau of Reclamation and U.S. Forest Service, 2003.

Overview
Baseline Conditions
Long-Term Plan
Participatory Meetings
Facility Decommissioning
Management Recommendations
Fossil Creek Info
Native Fish Restoration
Research
Photos
Links
 

Last updated: 02/06/2007