West Clear Creek is an iconic Arizona stream that drains a rugged mountain wilderness area before flowing into Arizona’s Verde River valley. It is one of the few cold and clear streams draining into central Arizona, and it provides some of the most intact aquatic habitat in the region. However, so much water is diverted along the lower reaches of West Clear Creek that parts of the Creek are completely dry throughout much of the year.

The West Clear Creek Irrigation Efficiency Project converts inefficient flood irrigation systems into increasingly efficient drip, micro jet, or sprinkler systems to reduce on-farm use of water at properties irrigated with water diverted from West Clear Creek. By reducing on-farm application of water through increasingly efficient application of water, this project reduces the amount of surface water diverted from West Clear Creek.

In concert with other irrigation modernization projects that include ditch piping, head-gate upgrades, conversion to drip or micro-jet irrigation systems, and/or shifts to less water intensive crops, this project restores flow throughout lower West Clear Creek.