Water Sentinels Measure Flow on upper Verde River Register

Date and Time:
Sat, Mar 22, 2025; 8:30 AM - 3:00 PM  (Mountain)

Organized By: Yavapai Group

Location: 1090 AZ-89, Chino Valley, AZ 86323, USA

Map | Directions

Event Organizers:
Gary Beverly
   gbverde99@gmail.com
   (928) 308-1003
Jenny Lea Cobb
   cobbsrun@msn.com
   (928) 925-1320
Russell Pilcher
   rp1020@sbcglobal.net
   (208) 965-9343

SPECIAL LEARNING OPPORTUNITY:

MEASURE THE FLOW OF THE UPPER VERDE RIVER

The Yavapai Group Water Sentinels invite you to a special community event: help us measure the flow of the upper Verde River flow. The flow monitoring instructors are Jenny Cobb and Russ Pilcher.

While we are measuring the flow, Gary Beverly will explain the significance of 18 years of data and what it implies for the future of the river (and it isn’t good!)

Water Sentinels are citizen science volunteers who do hands-on conservation work to protect Arizona’s rivers and streams. We’re part of the national Sierra Club Water Sentinels program whose mission is to protect, improve, and restore the nation’s waters.

The Yavapai Group Water Sentinels have been measuring the flow on the upper Verde River every month, beginning in December 2006. We measure at three sites: Perkinsville Bridge (mile 25); Bear Siding (mile 18); and at Verde Springs where the river begins from spring water bubbling up from the Big Chino Aquifer. The purpose of our work is to establish a baseline of flow data to help protect the river from pumping for agriculture and development.

Water Sentinels data show the river is declining at an alarming rate, and could be dry in a few decades. You can view a full report at https://cwagaz.org/verde-river-low-flow-causes-habitat-damage

WHEN: Saturday, March 22, 2025

TIME: Meet to arrange carpool at 8:30 am in the Chino Valley Safeway parking lot, west side nearest Hwy 89 just north of the gas station. You can return by noon or spend all day with us.

BRING: Lunch, water bottle, hat, river shoes, sunscreen, cameras, chair, hiking stick

Pre-registration required:

QUESTIONS: email yavapaisierra@gmail.com

Cost: No charge. Donations welcome

Signup Instructions: Hiking level: easy - short walks from trailhead to river.QUESTIONS: email yavapaisierra@gmail.com

Bring: BRING: Lunch, water bottle, hat, river shoes, sunscreen, cameras, chair, hiking stick

Signup Restrictions: Must be able to walk short distances on uneven trail surface.

Additional Directions: Meet to arrange carpool at 8:30 am in the Chino Valley Safeway parking lot, west side nearest Hwy 89 just north of the gas station. We will email full instructions on Weds March 19 - before the event