How much water flows down the Verde River? SRP installs 650-pound flume to find out

Salt River Project (SRP) has successfully installed a 650-pound flume in a remote canyon to enhance measurements of water flow in the Verde River watershed. This innovative device features a heater designed to melt ice during the winter months, thereby improving measurement accuracy amid Arizona's freeze-thaw cycles. The flume will track water flow from Sycamore Creek to the Verde River, which is crucial for SRP's management of approximately 244 billion gallons of water supplied to over 2. 5 million residents in metro Phoenix. In addition, SRP collaborates with Arizona State University to study the effects of forest thinning on water yield in the watershed.

Zach Keller, an SRP hydrographic scientist, highlighted the significance of precise measurements for effective water management, noting that previous methods often led to inaccurate flow estimates. The remote canyon was selected based on a decade's worth of data showing it carries more water than nearby sub-basins, providing a better chance for reliable long-term records. For now, the flume stands as a unique experiment, with plans to monitor its performance for potential future installations across the Verde and Salt River watersheds. Crews implemented safety measures to minimize wildfire risk and secured the flume to the canyon's bedrock.