This Arizona Stream Inspired One of the Most Ambitious Dam Removals in Southwestern History

Fossil Creek, Arizona

Fossil Creek pulls off a rare trick in Arizona: crystal-clear water that stays 70 degrees year-round, rolling out of limestone springs at 20,000 gallons per minute.

After being drained for hydropower for nearly a century, this restored waterway is now one of the Southwest’s most important native fish habitats. Here’s more about this environmental success story.

Once supplied most of Phoenix’s electricity

Childs-Irving hydroelectric complex, Arizona’s first hydroelectric facility, provided 70% of Phoenix’s power by 1920. This engineering achievement required moving water through concrete channels to generate electricity. Unfortunately, it also required damming Fossil Creek, which led to it nearly drying up.

The 2005 restoration was an environmental triumph

Arizona Public Service shut down the Fossil Creek Dam in 2005 after it had been running for almost 100 years. This $13 million project was one of the biggest river restorations in the Southwest.

The 25-foot concrete dam, built in 1909, had taken almost all the water through 8,800 feet of flumes to make electricity. After restoration, the full 43 cubic feet per second flow returned to the natural channel.

A Hard-Won Official Designation

Congress named Fossil Creek a Wild & Scenic River in 2009, protecting 16.8 miles of stream. American Rivers, the Sierra Club, and the Arizona Nature Conservancy fought hard for this designation after the creek had been dry for nearly 100 years due to water diversion.

Now it’s jointly managed by the Coconino and Tonto National Forests as part of a river management plan.

The unique mineral deposits created the name

Back in the 1860s, Arizona Territory’s first governor John Noble Goodwin and his team named the creek after seeing what looked like fossils along the banks.

These form when calcium carbonate in the water covers twigs, rocks, and other stuff, making them look like fossils. About 13 tons of these deposits form daily, creating natural dams, terraces, and pools that are still forming today.

America’s 4th largest travertine system

Fossil Creek has the fourth largest travertine system in the United States based on water flow and mineral buildup.

Only Mammoth Hot Springs in Yellowstone, Havasu Creek in the Grand Canyon, and Blue Springs of the Little Colorado River have more travertine. These deposits create a unique stair-step pattern of pools and waterfalls throughout the creek.

Travertine regrew at an incredible pace after restoration

After water flow came back, scientists saw travertine dams growing more than 2 centimeters every year. Just six months after restoration, they noticed significant recovery in the ecosystem.

The agreement to remove the dam was signed in 1999 but took six years to happen, giving everyone time to plan the restoration carefully. The dam was completely removed in 2008.

Living organisms play a key role in Fossil Creek

Algae and tiny bacteria actively help form travertine in Fossil Creek. These microorganisms catch calcium particles and speed up how quickly minerals build up.

Scientists have found specific algae communities that create unique patterns in the travertine. Research from Northern Arizona University shows these biological processes make the travertine grow faster than chemical processes alone would.

The water has a consistent temperature

Fossil Springs pumps out 20,000 gallons (76 cubic meters) every minute from underground springs at a steady 70-72°F (22°C) all year long. This flow equals about 43 cubic feet per second – roughly 410 gallons per second.

The springs come out at the bottom of a 1,600-foot deep canyon, making this one of Arizona’s largest spring systems.

This creek is a native fish conservation success story

In 2004, Arizona Game and Fish Department took out non-native fish and put back native species. Now Fossil Creek has nine native fish species including the endangered spikedace, loach minnow, and Gila topminnow.

A fish barrier 5 miles upstream from the Verde River keeps invasive species out. In 2009, Arizona created the nation’s first catch-and-release-only roundtail chub fishery here.

The travertine areas support richer biodiversity

Research shows that travertine sections of Fossil Creek have 20% higher plant growth and 25% faster leaf breakdown than areas without travertine. Fish are three times more common in travertine areas.

The terraced formations create different microhabitats with varying oxygen levels, water depths, and flow patterns that support various species communities.

The creek acts as a natural leaf trap

Studies show that leaves get caught much more often where travertine forms barriers compared to typical stream sections.

These natural travertine dams trap 80% more plant material than other stream areas. This leaf trapping is important for the water ecosystem, providing food and nutrients that support the creek’s many species.

The area holds deep cultural significance

Western Apache and Yavapai peoples have lived along Fossil Creek for thousands of years, with evidence of human life going back 10,000 years. The tribes see the area as ancestral homeland with important heritage sites.

Today, they still come to the creek to connect with their past and honor their heritage, and they help with conservation efforts.

You’ll find incredible plant diversity here

The 50-acre Fossil Springs Botanical Area has 166 documented plant species. The creek supports 30 types of trees and shrubs, including Arizona ash, velvet ash, and Arizona sycamore that create a thick green canopy.

Over 100 bird species have been spotted in this habitat. Four federally protected plant species grow in the watershed.

Visiting Fossil Creek

You’ll need a $6 permit to visit Fossil Creek between April 1 and October 1, 2025. The area is only open Friday through Sunday during this time.

You can bring up to 12 people, and you must get to the Highway 260/Forest Road 708 junction by 2:00 PM.

Getting there means driving 14 miles on a rough dirt road from Camp Verde via Highway 260 and Forest Road 708. You’ll definitely want a high-clearance vehicle.

To reach the waterfall, you’ll walk 2 miles from the Dixon Lewis Trailhead. The waterfall is about 15 feet tall with deep pools perfect for swimming. You can’t bring pets on the trails, and camping isn’t allowed during permit season.