Bringing Back Fossil Creek

Phoenix, AZ—14, February, 2005—Fulfilling a commitment made five years ago, Arizona Public Service (APS) continues working through the regulatory process required to decommission Arizona’s first hydroelectric power plants and restore uninterrupted water flow through Fossil Creek. APS had hoped to begin dismantling the plants by the end of 2004, but weather delays related to fish restoration and other federal requirements have pushed the timeline into 2005.

“We are working with a variety of state, county, local and federal agencies,” said Mark Fallon, spokesman for APS. “Since nobody has ever voluntarily surrendered a power plant in working order, it is a learning process for all of us.”

The Nature Conservancy presented the shut-down proposal to APS in 1997 as a historic conservation opportunity. This unprecedented event took place through the cooperation of APS, the Conservancy and American Rivers, in partnership with five environmental organizations making up the Fossil Creek Environmental Partners.

Nestled along the Verde River between Strawberry and Camp Verde, Fossil Creek’s origin is a cluster of springs that contribute up to 50 percent of the Verde’s water during low-flow periods. It has a healthy native fish community and a diverse native plant community above the diversion dam, but the 14 miles of river downstream are affected from reduced flows. The return of full creek flow will cause large travertine deposits that create fish habitat, as the creek did prior to the dam’s construction.

APS is spending $13 million to restore the creek’s habitat, where highly mineralized water will result once more in the formation of breathtaking travertine dams, pools and waterfalls. When fully restored, the creek is expected to become a model for native fish habitat in Arizona. Salvaging native species from an area between Fossil Creek Spring and the Irving plant, biologists are returning these fish to their original habitat in the upper reach of Fossil Creek.

Reintroduction of native fish—including speckled dace, roundtail chubs, Sonora suckers and desert suckers—are integral to the stream restoration process. To prepare for the reintroduction, exotic fish were removed from the creek last year to maximize native fish survival.

Fossil Creek now has the opportunity to become one of the few native fisheries in the Southwest. Meanwhile, the creek’s cascading turquoise travertine pools—much like the Grand Canyon’s Havasu Falls—will return to provide lush habitat for other native wildlife.

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