Oak Creek Canyon
Watershed Based Plan

An interesting phenomenon that occurs with the stream flow in Oak Creek is the increase in flow during periods of no rainfall. This indicates the strong influence springs have on streamflow. The graph below illustrates the phenomenon during the summer of 2000.

Water Quality Characteristics

Water Quality Standards and Designated Uses
Arizona sets numeric and narrative surface water standards for each waterbody based on the uses people and wildlife make of the water. All waterbodies have one of the Aquatic & Wildlife categories and have either a Full Body Contact or Partial Body Contact designated use.

The following table shows the designated uses for Oak Creek and associated tributaries.

From ADEQ, 1996

Aquatic & Wildlife coldwater (A&Wc), and warmwater (A&Ww), Fish Consumption (FC), Full Body Contact (FBC), Domestic Water Source (DWS), Agricuture-Irrigation (AgI), and Agriculture-Livestock Watering (AgL).

Lower Oak Creek (below the 5000 foot elevation) is proposed for a standards change in the next triennial review. Based on macroinvertebrate community type, this section of Oak Creek would be redesignated as Aquatic & Wildlife warmwater (A&Ww).

ADEQ with the approval of the Environmental Protection Agency has developed numeric standards that related to particular designated uses.

Unique Waters Designation

The Arizona Surface Water Quality Standards classify Oak Creek and the West Fork of Oak Creek as Tier II Unique Waters subject to special protection and standards. The uniques Waters designation and associated Antidegradation Rule have been consistently interpreted by ADEQ to preclude any new or additional pollutant sources in Oak Creek or West Fork Creek. Other tributaries including Munds Creek, Dry Creek, and Spring Creek have only "regular” (non-Unique Waters) status and standards, but any sources in these streams may be limited beyond “regular” standards unless it is shown that therewill not be any degradation to Oak Creek.

Because of its Unique Waters designation, the following water quality standards have been prescribed to Oak Creek including the West Fork of Oak Creek.

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