perennial stream near community state arizona tributary flows rim meet larger stream near near upwards gallons minute flow creek year round calcium water springs creates dams deposits miles downstream system fourth largest producer united_states streams arizona included creek corridor provide habitat wide variety flora fauna listed endangered power plant complex listed national historic district restoration stream natural flow increase recreational visits raised concerns led road restrictions course arises elevation feet sea level rim north miles creek flow intermittent high rim creek runs generally north entering immediately continues north wilderness confluence intermittent stream enters right turning west creek receives intermittent stream right head reaches creek boundary stream left right remains boundary way perennial stretches stream begin river mile river kilometer fossil springs wilderness elevation feet springs creek flows west southwest passing remnants dam unnamed intermittent streams enter left right reaches leaves fossil springs wilderness plant enters wilderness forest road follows creek miles stretch crossing creek fossil creek bridge enters right turns sharply south stretch right left creek enters left turns west enters discharge flow water estimated range cubic feet second gal year round emerges underground constant united_states geological survey installed stream gauge fossil creek bridge maximum daily discharge station cubic feet second february minimum cubic feet second august geology feet deep varies width miles mile places downstream rocks canyon vary age north springs canyon cuts rocks including south springs canyon rocks volcanic dark gray yellow gray source percent water issues close proximity base rim rim southern edge water limestone layers rim laden dissolved carbon dioxide calcium water emerges springs begins release carbon dioxide gas calcium form found hot springs national park release affected stream factors occur continues downstream nineteenth century observers creek reported seeing naturally occurring dams deep pools study conducted identified eroded remnants dams creek natural flow restored hundreds new dams began form mile stretch short tons day deposited stream rate deposition makes fourth largest system united_states larger systems history early archaeologists found evidence prehistoric use watershed possible people lived long years ago recently peoples lived area 19th century appeared maps arizona 1860s governor passed region members group noted rocks twigs looked like fossils hydroelectric plants streams arizona flow large steady remote stream seen early 20th century good place produce electricity copper mines gold silver mines construction began plant authority later project included creating diversion dam feet high creek feet concrete carried water dam plant artificial reservoir lake held water plant operating normal capacity days system closed maintenance company constructed second plant hydroelectric power plant built arizona supplying percent power phoenix complex named national historic district stream restoration invasive species removed creek maximize native fish survival fish barrier miles mouth prevents invasive species swimming upstream assessing costs plants low output goodwill generated stream restoration closed power plants removed diversion dam president barack_obama signed legislation designating long campaign legislation passed congress protects miles stream mile segment confluence stream leaves fossil spring wilderness wild mile stretch wilderness boundary recreational remaining miles stream wild streams arizona wild scenic segments fauna flora creek zone support species birds mammals reptiles amphibians list includes special status species southwestern willow leopard frog watershed supports species migratory birds sage species common black hawk rated sensitive mammals found near include beaver variety bats species reptiles amphibians arizona monster native fish include desert added native barrier special status fish listed endangered threatened sensitive federal state agencies addition species live watershed fossil listed sensitive zones provide high quality habitat plant species native area include deciduous trees arizona wide variety shrubs grasses plants species diversity higher site power plant dam especially near acre plot dam set aside fossil springs botanical area plant taken identified plant species botanical area species flowering plants larger area recreation steady flow warmth deep pools small attract visitors wade swim float waters named hiking paths intersect corridor mail trails allows dispersed camping parts area parts zones limits overnight stays activities area include wildlife viewing photography fishing visits remains infrastructure restoring stream area hour drive phoenix highly popular recreational use increased trash human waste damage forests stream banks problematic times closes parts forest road limit danger traffic jams prohibited dry bed restrictions apply working comprehensive management plan
Fossil Creek