Big Chino Pipeline

Banner Photo: Big Chino Water Ranch / Jeffrey R. Kennedy, US Geological Survey

Beneath the grassy surface of the Big Chino Valley, abundant groundwater resources tempt cities and towns to harvest water for growth. The problem is that Big Chino groundwater supplies over 80% of the base flow of the upper Verde River, which is a significant ecological resource for the southwest.

This very short video, narrated by CWAG's Gary Beverly, PhD. tells the story of how the Big Chino aquifer formed and gave birth to the Verde River. Now human activity threatens to dry the upper Verde.

The proposed Big Chino pipeline is legally authorized to deliver 8,068 acre-feet per year of groundwater from the Big Chino aquifer to Prescott and Prescott Valley. Since the current annual over-pumping of our region’s aquifer is more than 21,000 acre-feet per year (and growing), this is not enough to close the gap and balance our aquifer. Plus, Prescott and Prescott Valley may use Big Chino water to support additional growth, not to replenish our region’s aquifer.

Unmitigated groundwater pumping to supply the Big Chino Pipeline will dry up the first 25 miles of the Upper Verde River, destroying some of the finest riparian and wildlife habitat in Arizona and degrading the entire river down to the confluence with the Salt River near Scottsdale.

For over 20 years Prescott and Prescott Valley had envisioned piping groundwater from the Big Chino Valley to support a vastly increasing population. As stated in Prescott Valley’s 2035 General Plan, the town is pulling out the stops to obtain Big Chino water. The fact remains that construction of the pipeline would leave taxpayers footing the bill and exportation of Big Chino groundwater would eventually devastate the year-round flow of the uppermost Verde River.

During a study session on April 23, 2024, the Prescott City Council heard a presentation on the updated cost of the Big Chino Water Ranch. More than $35 million of local money has gone toward the Big Chino Water Ranch over the past 20 years, and Prescott City Council members learned that another $261.6 million or more could be needed to bring the project to reality.