After years of constant breaches and repairs to brewer’s Tunnel Dam, the Freeport-McMoRanmining company finally plans to remove the non-functional scrap metal from the Verde River.
The dam was originally built in 1914 to divert water to Peck’s Lake and the smelter in Clarkdale. In February 2019, the dam was breached by heavy snow runoff and has never been repaired.
According to Freeport-McMoRan Discontinued Operations & Resource Management Department Director Joseph Brunner, the removal is a fairly simple process, but they will have to bring in big machinery and equipment for the project, potentially closing down parts of the river to recreation.
Tracey Stephens, habitat restoration manager for Friends of the Verde River, said that in the long run, this will be a good thing for the river.
“Removal of the dam will have positive impacts on the Verde River system,” Stephens said. “Allowing the river to flow freely through the area gives boaters safe access to navigate the area. Restoring free flow in this area will allow the river to function, keeping the floodplain and riparian area healthy to provide habitat for wildlife. Restoring a healthy floodplain helps to filter excess nutrients and replenish groundwater.”
Friends of the VerdeRiver supports the removal of the dam, as the timing of the project has less effect on recreation, and it should be completed prior to the breeding season for birds that migrate into the area in the spring.
“Dam removal projects throughout the country have shown how quickly natural river systems are restored after dam removal,” Stephens said. “Having healthy river systems helps maintain healthy habitats for wildlife and people to enjoy…. Less than 1% of Arizona is riparian habitat— however, 80% of Arizona’s wildlife species spend all or part of their lives in riparian areas. The removal of the dam will improve wildlife passage and improve riparian vegetation health to provide wildlife habitat.”
Freeport-McMoRan has finished a detailed project design, showing how they will remove the scrap from the river as well as dispose of it.
According to Brunner, the contractor they selected to carry out the work is ready to begin.
The project, according to Brunner, should not take more than three to four weeks, but given the holidays, it could take until January to be finished.
“We’re very interested in moving forward with the project soon,” Brunner said. “From an implementation and a strategic standpoint, we want to do this over the winter when the recreational users of the river are minimized.”
Cedar Gardner can be reached at 634-8551 or email cgardner@larsonnewspapers.com
