USGS Water-Year Summary 2024

09511300 VERDE RIVER NEAR SCOTTSDALE, AZ

LOCATION - Lat 33°33'31", long 111°40'07" referenced to North American Datum of 1927, in NW 1/4 NE 1/4 SE 1/4 sec.31, T.3 N., R.7 E., Maricopa County, AZ, Hydrologic Unit 15060203, in Salt River Indian Reservation, on right bank, 0.75 mi north of city of Phoenix water-treatment plant, 1 mi upstream from mouth, 1.7 mi downstream from State Highway 87, and 16 mi northeast of Scottsdale.

DRAINAGE AREA - 6,615 mi² of which 365 mi² probably is noncontributing, including 357 mi² in aubrey valley playa, a closed basin.

SURFACE-WATER RECORDS

PERIOD OF RECORD - Feb. 1961 to current year.

REVISED RECORDS - WDR AZ-89-1: Drainage area. The first period of the water year was unlocked to adjust shifts and gage height corrections.

GAGE - Water-stage recorder. Datum of gage is 1,320.31 ft above sea level. Prior to Oct. 1, 1980, and Jan. 4 to Oct. 3, 1988, at site 1.7 mi upstream on State Highway 87 bridge at datum 31.04 ft higher. Oct. 1, 1980, to Jan. 3, 1988, at Verde Plant intake structure 0.1 mi upstream at same datum.

REMARKS - Records poor. Flow regulated by Bartlett and Horseshoe Reservoirs (see sta 09509500) except during periods of spill or floodflow below Bartlett Dam. About 12,500 acres above reservoirs are irrigated by surface water and ground water. Below reservoirs water is diverted for municipal supply for the city of Phoenix, and for irrigation of an undetermined acreage in Fort McDowell Indian Reservation. Remainder (except during infrequent period of extreme flooding) is diverted at Granite Reef Dam on Salt River, 6 mi downstream, for irrigation in Salt River Valley and for municipal use by the city of Phoenix.

EXTREMES FOR PERIOD OF RECORD - Maximum discharge, 127,000 ft³/s Jan. 8, 1993, from slope-area measurement of peak flow, gage height, 25.37 ft recorded; no flow at times some years.

AVERAGE DISCHARGE FOR PERIOD OF RECORD - 54 years, 574 ft³/s, 415,900 acre-ft/yr.