There are many questions you may have about the Verde River: Some appear basic but are quite complex in explanation. Some appear complex but are actually easily explained by the right expert.
Fortunately, retired U.S. Geological Survey geologist Ed Wolfe has got you covered. The principal author of the recently released Verde River Basin Water-Resources Primer, published by the Verde River Basin Partnership, Wolfe has made finding answers a lot simpler.
“Have you ever looked at the falling rain and wondered where it goes?” Wolfe asked via a March 17 VRBP press release. “Seen a spring emerging from the ground and wanted to know how it is possible? Have you sat next to a flowing river and pondered the vast network of life it supports?”
According to Wolfe, the Verde River is much more than the water you see flowing in its sandy bed — it is a vast network of underground and above-ground fluid interactions, often beginning far away from the familiar Verde riparian system.
“The Verde River Basin Water-Resources Primer gives overviews of foundational topics such as the global water cycle and the basics of hydrology,” Wolfe stated. “It explores the specific hydrology and hydrogeology within the Verde River Basin, focusing on the Upper and Middle Verde River Watersheds. It explains groundwater pumping and its effect on groundwater and stream flow in these watersheds.
“Additionally, the primer offers an overview of the riparian and aquatic habitat of the Verde River ecosystem. The primer concludes with projections of the Verde River’s future flow, forecast by the most recent models and scientific studies.”
The genesis of the textbook was Wolfe’s own interaction with students of the Master Watershed Steward Program of the University of Arizona Cooperative Extension. Upon retiring from teaching, Wolfe realized that his experience with Northern Arizona’s geology could be put to further use interpreting and explaining area water resource issues. He now serves as the chairman of the VRBP.
The one chapter of the 136-page illustrated text not written by Wolfe was penned by Jeanmarie Haney, state hydrologist for The Nature Conservancy with experience primarily in Arizona. According to Wolfe, however, the book would not have been possible without “a number of dedicated individuals including scientists, educators and others, both within and outside the VRBP.”
Wolfe called a river that flows year-round in an arid environment a “marvel,” and encouraged locals to become more familiar with how such a phenomenon is sustained.
From the outset of the project, Wolfe saw it as a way to educate people without a monetary toll. To that end, the primer can be read or downloaded free at vrbp.org/primer as a PDF or an interactive e-book.
