East Verde River facts for kids
Quick facts for kids East Verde River |
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Gila River basin, including Verde River
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| Country | United States |
| State | Arizona |
| Region | Gila County |
| City | Payson (town) |
| Physical characteristics | |
| Main source | Mogollon Rim near Washington Park, Tonto National Forest 7,003 ft (2,135 m) 34°27′01″N 111°15′08″W / 34.45028°N 111.25222°W |
| River mouth | Verde River near Cedar Bench, Tonto National Forest 2,470 ft (750 m) 34°17′11″N 111°39′54″W / 34.28639°N 111.66500°W |
| Basin features | |
| Basin size | 331 sq mi (860 km2) |
The East Verde River is an important river in the state of Arizona, United States. It is a smaller river that flows into the larger Verde River. The East Verde River starts high up on the Mogollon Rim, near a place called Washington Park.
From its start, the river flows generally southwest. It travels through Gila County and the beautiful Tonto National Forest. The river passes about 5 miles (8.0 km) from the town of Payson. It also flows through parts of the Mazatzal Wilderness, which is a protected natural area.
Why is the East Verde River Important for Water?
The East Verde River is a key source of water for many people. The Salt River Project (SRP) helps make sure there's enough water. SRP adds water to the East Verde River from the Blue Ridge Reservoir. This reservoir is located in Coconino County.
The water travels 17 miles (27 km) through a pipeline to reach the East Verde River at Washington Park. From there, it flows towards the Verde River. This water eventually reaches the SRP reservoir behind Horseshoe Dam.
A lot of the water released from Blue Ridge Reservoir, about 11,000 acre-feet (14,000,000 m3) each year, is given to communities. These communities are located along or near the East Verde River. For example, the U.S. Congress has set aside 3,000 acre-feet (3,700,000 m3) of water each year for the town of Payson. Another 500 acre-feet (620,000 m3) is set aside for other communities in northern Gila County. This shows how important the river is for local water supplies.
What Fish Live in the East Verde River?
The Arizona Game and Fish Department keeps track of the fish in the East Verde River. You can find several types of fish here. These include rainbow trout and brown trout. You might also spot smallmouth bass and different kinds of sunfish. The river's healthy waters make it a good home for these species.
