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Effects of past and future groundwater development on the hydrologic system of Verde Valley, Arizona

Fact Sheet 2013-3016
By:  and 
https://doi.org/10.3133/fs20133016

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Abstract

Communities in central Arizona’s Verde Valley must manage limited water supplies in the face of rapidly growing populations. Developing groundwater resources to meet human needs has raised questions about the effects of groundwater withdrawals by pumping on the area’s rivers and streams, particularly the Verde River. U.S. Geological Survey hydrologists used a regional groundwater flow model to simulate the effects of groundwater pumping on streamflow in the Verde River. The study found that streamflow in the Verde River between 1910 and 2005 had been reduced as the result of streamflow depletion by groundwater pumping, also known as capture. Additionally, using three hypothetical scenarios for a period from 2005 to 2110, the study’s findings suggest that streamflow reductions will continue and may increase in the future.

Suggested Citation

Garner, B.D., Pool, D.R., 2013, Effects of past and future groundwater development on the hydrologic system of Verde Valley, Arizona: U.S. Geological Survey Fact Sheet 2013-3016, 2 p., https://doi.org/10.3133/fs20133016.

ISSN: 2327-6932 (online)

Study Area

Publication type Report
Publication Subtype USGS Numbered Series
Title Effects of past and future groundwater development on the hydrologic system of Verde Valley, Arizona
Series title Fact Sheet
Series number 2013-3016
DOI 10.3133/fs20133016
Year Published 2013
Language English
Publisher U.S. Geological Survey
Publisher location Reston, VA
Contributing office(s) Arizona Water Science Center
Description 2 p.
Country United States
State Arizona
Other Geospatial Dry Creek;Oak Creek;Verde River;Verde Valley;West Clear Creek;Wet Beaver Creek
Projection Universal transverse mercator, Zone 12
Scale 100000
Online Only (Y/N) Y
Additional Online Files (Y/N) N
Additional publication details