• The Upper Verde River’s flow has declined by 52% due to groundwater pumping.
• Groundwater levels in Del Rio Springs, a vital source, have dropped by over 100 feet.
• Native fish species are vanishing as aquatic habitats shrink and degrade.
• Continued trends suggest parts of the river may go dry within decades.
• Conservation efforts, while helpful, may not address urgent declines in base flow.

November 12, 2024 —  A report about Arizona’s Verde River—a lifeline for people, wildlife, and ecosystems—warns that the river is increasingly threatened by groundwater pumping and climate change. Once a vibrant, ecologically diverse waterway, the Verde has seen dramatic declines in flow. According to a November 2024 report by Dr. Gary Beverly for the Sierra Club and H2O Sentinels, the river’s health is steeply declining, and immediate action is needed to avert disaster.

The Jewel of Arizona.

Stretching over 190 miles, the Verde River is one of Arizona’s few remaining perennial rivers, providing recreation, economic value, and essential water to the region. Dr. Beverly describes the Verde as a “living river,” rich in wildlife and native plant species, and indispensable to Arizona’s environmental heritage. Unfortunately, the river’s flow has halved from pre-development levels due to aggressive groundwater pumping and worsening drought.

Groundwater Crisis at Del Rio Springs.

Groundwater pumping from the Little Chino Aquifer has severely depleted Del Rio Springs, once the main source of the Verde’s flow. “Since the 1940s, water levels have declined by more than 100 feet,” reports Dr. Beverly, and projections indicate that flow from Del Rio Springs may cease as soon as 2025. This reduction threatens the entire upper Verde River, where the river now runs dry for six miles between Del Rio Springs and Verde Springs.

Ecological Impact: A Decline in Native Species.

As flow declines, so does the river’s ability to support diverse wildlife. Dr. Beverly notes that endangered species, including native fish such as the razorback sucker, loach minnow, and spikedace, rely on this fragile habitat. The Arizona Game and Fish Department’s recent study shows a steep decline in native fish populations in the upper Verde, where only one desert sucker—just 0.27% of the sampled fish—was found, compared to a once-thriving population.

Difficult Choices Ahead.

The report warns that the stakes are high. Without intervention, current projections suggest the river’s flow could continue to dwindle, eventually drying up portions within the next few decades. This outcome would devastate local wildlife, potentially irreversibly affecting the Verde Valley’s ecosystem.

Dr. Beverly’s report stresses that immediate action from local and state officials is essential to prevent the Verde from becoming another casualty of Arizona’s water crisis. Conservation projects by organizations like Prescott National Forest, Salt River Project, and The Nature Conservancy offer hope but do not fully address groundwater’s urgent and severe depletion. “We can live here responsibly, enjoying a comfortable lifestyle while protecting our natural areas and our wildlife,” Beverly concludes. The question is whether Arizonans have the will to make difficult choices to save this invaluable natural resource.

The Citizens Water Advocacy Group writes, “The Sierra Club Grand Canyon Chapter Water Sentinels has measured the flow of the upper Verde River every month since 2007. A recent analysis of that data reveals that the upper Verde River is critically endangered and ecologically impaired due to rapidly declining flow. We are now witnessing the destruction of one of Arizona’s last surviving perennial rivers. Fundamentally, the upper Verde is now in an extremely fragile and vulnerable condition. We must act quickly to minimize future disastrous damage to the Verde River by creating a sustainable water future for both humans and wildlife.”

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Image (Public Domain):

“Wetland site with an E-type channel on the Upper Verde River located on the Verde River Ranch headquarters, downstream of the Paulden gauge,” Arizona, USA, November 2013.  Source Chapter 2: Historical and Pictorial Perspective of the Upper Verde River. In: Synthesis of Upper Verde River research and monitoring 1993-2008. Gen. Tech. Rep. RMRS-GTR-291. USDA Forest Service. 2012. page 57. Author Alvin L. Medina, USFS.

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