Verde River, 89A bridge, Cottonwood, AZ
Verde River–A journey of Discovery, Stewardship, and Reflection
by Heidi Alton
Over the years, I have created many meaningful memories through my involvement with the Sierra Club. From hiking and biking to hands-on service projects, each experience has shaped my appreciation for Arizona’s natural spaces. Of all these moments, my time volunteering with the Water Sentinels along the Verde River has been the most impactful and inspiring.
My introduction to the Verde River began during a Sierra Club service project in Camp Verde, where we focused on cleaning up trash from the abandoned campsites near the river. Working together, our group filled an entire tractor-trailer bin with debris.
The camps were beneath tall Cottonwood trees, and as I moved deeper into the shaded area, the Verde River revealed itself–the sound of rippling water, shimmering green reflections, and a chorus of birds. The river’s beauty quickly captivated me.
With time, I began to understand how essential the Verde River is to the region. The Verde River is the heart and soul of the high desert– an artery carrying life-sustaining resources to communities, wildlife, and plants. As one of Arizona’s few perennial rivers, it supports rare riparian habitats and offers important recreational opportunities. When I first joined these outings, I did not yet realize how many daily threats this vital waterway faces.
My knowledge of the Verde River deepened through continued volunteer work with the Sierra Club’s Water Sentinels, initially under the guidance of the late Steve Pawlowski. My earlier service projects took place at the Rio Salado and involved trash cleanups and Buffelgrass removal. I then joined service outings on the Verde River collecting water samples. After spending several years living out of state, I returned to Arizona and resumed my involvement, this time under the leadership of Jennifer Martin-McLeod, whose passion for conservation has been truly motivating and inspiring.
Our Water Sentinels activities currently include water-quality monitoring at several locations, organized into three teams. We test at Needle Rock in the Tonto National Forest; Beasley Flat, Black Bridge in the Verde Valley, Riverfront Park in Cottonwood,;and the Highway 89A bridge. Using handheld meters, we measure pH, dissolved oxygen, total dissolved solids, electrical conductivity, and water and air temperature, and we collect samples for E. coli analysis. We also evaluate the immediate area for environmental changes or threats that may impact our samples. The collected data is used to identify the river’s condition and helps form decisions on how to protect the Verde River.
What I value most is the community formed around these outings. Volunteers of all generations and backgrounds work together to protect the Verde River. I'm proud to be part of Water Sentinels and many other dedicated groups focused on conservation.
The Verde River faces threats from population growth, groundwater pumping, and climate change. Although its future is uncertain, I–along with many others–remain committed to its protection.
Heidi Alton