A history of the restoration of Fossil Creek

Authors: Shaula Hedwall

Year: 2009 (xli)

Abstract

Fossil Creek is a tributary to the Verde River in central Arizona. In 1999, after nearly a century of diverting Fossil Creek’s flow for hydropower, Arizona Public Service committed to decommissioning two powerplants and restoring flows to the stream channel. Prior to flow restoration, biologists recognized the opportunity to restore the stream’s native fish community. Fossil Creek remains a last stronghold for native fish in the Gila River drainage, yet invasion of exotic species has prevented recruitment in native aquatic vertebrates, including ranid frogs. In a collaborative effort between state and federal agencies, including two national forests, universities; and many volunteers, native fishes were salvaged from over 10 stream miles which included designated wilderness. Piscicides were applied to the stream and native fishes were repatriated after exotic fishes were eliminated. A barrier was constructed to prevent future upstream migrations while simultaneously preserving wilderness values. Monitoring results have indicated that native fish increased fifty fold where flow was restored and exotic fish were removed. During planning efforts for Fossil Creek, biologists also included stocking listed-fish species that historically were found in the drainage. Two years after salvaged fish were returned to the stream, five listed species have been stocked. The philosophical outcome of this project was a renewed sense of what can be accomplished when agency mandates to protect native species are supported and conflicting politics are set aside. It also instilled hope and generated excitement for other fish restoration projects in the Southwest that were once considered unachievable because of logistical or political constraints.