Runoff peaked

[montezumawell]

Note added 3/11 at 2:19 p.m.--Hydrographs show the runoff flows have peaked. See update message at most recent post.

Water's flowing everywhere in Arizona right now. It's been many years since there's beenthis much water flowing. Hundreds of thousands of people have moved to Arizona since the last time this much water flowed. We'd suspect some readers of this topic have never seen much water flowing anywhere in Arizona. When water flows in the desert, it is a magical event and, for the hiker/viewer, it can often be a magical experience! It doesn't happen often enough to suit us. But, who's to quibble? When it does happen, the challenge is getting out to as many places as possible to see it flow and fall before it disappears again. After our prolonged drought, we're trying to "go to water" every day. Who knows when this much water will flow again? Recent experience proves it could be YEARS before it takes place again.

Here are some conclusions based on today's USGS flow summary:

The normally dry falls of Sycamore Canyon are probably really pumping right now. The Upper Verde shows peak flows over 1,000 cfs and odds are most of that is coming from Sycamore!

Granite Creek near Prescott is running 40 cfs. That pretty well means all the little creeks and stream in the Bradshaws are runnig good enough to produce photo-op waterfalls.

Oak Creek peaked last night near 1,000. That means the Upper Canyon would have some waterfall opportunities. Accessible places in Pumphouse Wash would be great bets for waterfall action. You might have to snowshoe in, though.

West Clear had an overnight peak of 1,200. All those tributaries that feed it will be filled with small waterfalls.

The East Verde has been running a steady 500-600 for days. That pretty well says all those little creeks and streams tucked up Pine-Strawberry way was really beautiful right now.

Wet Bottom Creek is running a steady 70-100 cfs. That says drainages around the Mazatal Wilderness and running. Even Sycamore Creek on the Lower Verde is running 42 cfs. For a low desert creek to still be running that big says you can pretty much find lfowing water in all those little drainages down there.

The Black River is running about 600. That means all the accessible White Mountain creeks are running really big now.
The Salt at Highwway 60 is running between 1,000-2,000 so those Falls right off the highway are spectacular. The Salt into Roosevelt is more than double the Hwy 60 reading so that means Cibecue and Canyon Creeks are pumping huge flows.
Even lowly Cherry Creek is running consistently over 100 cfs. That's amazing!

Tonto Creek has been cranking out 600-800 cfs for days. That means Horton, Christopher and all their cousin drainages are plump, full and filled with sights and sounds you will never forget.
Now would be the time to look at those falls right off of Highway 260.

On the east side of the state, the Blue is running 125, the San Francisco 200, and Eagle Creek about a hundred. People who know that region will tell you that means plenty of waterfall action!

Up I-17, even the Agua Fria has been running good. This morning, it's still 129 at Rock Springs.
You could hike in on that Badger Springs trail and see some great water action right now.

No matter where you go, you're practically guaranteed to see awesome water right now. The NWS says temperatures will peak Thursday. We'd hazard an educated guess that the peak flows statewide are being made right about now and/or during the next few days. If you've ever longed to see big water in the desert, call in sick and go get well watching water flow!

Here's the USGS flow page:

http://az.waterdata.usgs.gov/nwis/current/?type=flow

Happy Trails

J&S

[Sredfield]

Sycamore Creek flowing would make that hike into Taylor Cabin a pretty one. We did it this winter and there was no water at all. That would be a great weekend b/p trip right now.

[montezumawell]

Today's USGS hydrographs shows a trend that indicates a 90% chance that flows in the Northern Arizona creeks and streams has peaked. Barring further snowfall and subsequent runoff (or a heavy rain on the residual snow) the peak flows last night and today will be this year's peaks.

The flows will begin to taper off now for a few days before they begin their steep decline back to spring minimums and summer lows. There's still time to see some great water flowing but the peak is past at this point.

J&S