What We Do
Any river is really the summation of the whole valley. To think of it as nothing but water is to ignore the greater part.
Hal Borland
Home » What We Do »
What We Do
Erosion Control for a Resilient Landscape
Friends of the Verde River works with partners in the Verde Watershed Restoration Coalition such as the Prescott, Coconino and Tonto National Forests, to identify areas where erosion is a concern. Solutions include installing rock structures, thinning juniper trees, closing social trails and seeding with native grasses. These erosion control projects help to slow water as it flows through the landscape. When water slows, it can percolate into the groundwater, refilling aquifers. As water slows down, it also deposits soil, building the resilience of the local landscape. This is especially important in the desert southwest where erosion can harm landscapes for decades. In the face of a changing climate it is more important than ever to ensure the health of upland landscapes to protect the quality of the river as well as the resiliency of our water supply.
Why do we care about erosion?
The topsoil that is eroded flows downstream and pollutes rivers and streams, endangering aquatic life like fish and otters. As this soil washes away, it cuts deep gullies that lower the capacity for the landscape to hold vegetation and retain water. Erosion gullies also harm human life and property as water gains speed flowing downstream towards communities, sometimes with disastrous consequences.
Eroded gully before and after restoration work began.
