Phoenix, Arizona: Salt River Runs Through the Valley as SRP Releases Storm Runoff From Full Reservoirs

The Salt River is running through Phoenix this week, a sight Valley residents rarely see. Salt River Project, the utility that manages the reservoirs east of the city, is releasing storm runoff from its dams after the Halloween weekend storms filled the Verde River reservoirs close to capacity, the Arizona Republic reported on Tuesday, November 3.

SRP said it increased releases to about 54,000 cubic feet per second, about 403,000 gallons per second, from Bartlett Dam on the Verde River and Stewart Mountain Dam on the Salt River. The utility announced the increase on Sunday, November 1, and said the larger flow would reach the Valley by 6 p.m. on Monday, November 2. The releases are expected to continue over the next few days and may increase overnight, depending on how much water flows into the reservoir system, SRP said.

Why the dams are releasing

The Halloween weekend storms dropped heavy rain on the watersheds east and northeast of Phoenix. SRP said the runoff is lining up as a record breaking fall for the Salt and Verde watersheds after three straight low runoff seasons. October and November inflows in the Verde watershed will likely be the highest since 1972, about eight times greater than average, the utility said. The Arizona Republic reported that Horseshoe and Bartlett lakes, the two reservoirs on the Verde River east of Phoenix, were both nearing capacity after the storms, and SRP is releasing water to make room for more runoff.

Through Phoenix and Tempe

From the dams, the water flows over Granite Reef Diversion Dam and into the normally dry Salt River bed, SRP said. It moves through the Valley from east to west, and the Arizona Republic reported it could be seen flowing over the Tempe Town Lake dam and into the riverbed below. Some of the water will reach the Gila River in the southwest Valley. SRP said it works with local governments and emergency managers during the releases. "The public is encouraged to observe any signage on road closures," said Tim Skarupa, SRP senior manager of atmospheric sciences and hydrology.

Roads closed in the riverbed

Several roads in the East and West Valley that were built inside the normally dry Salt River bed will be closed while the water runs, SRP said. Drivers can check current road conditions on the Arizona Department of Transportation site at AZ511.com. The utility did not say when the releases will end. It said the amount depends on inflows, and more rain in the watershed would mean more water coming down the rivers.

Water cities and farmers can use

The extra water is not only a flood control problem. Cities and irrigation districts that take deliveries from the SRP system will get the chance to take the additional water and put it to use, the utility said. Water that keeps flowing downstream in the Salt River also recharges the aquifer below the Valley, which benefits cities and water providers. Farther north, storm runoff into the Colorado River kept pushing Lake Powell higher, the Arizona Republic reported. The reservoir on the Arizona and Utah border has gained nearly 14 feet of elevation since October 1, in part from the heavy rains.