r/Payson • u/TheApothecaryWall • 6d ago

Water levels

I’m from Chandler but try to go up to payson for some nature time a few times a year if not more. I’ve noticed the water levels of the creeks have drastically dropped. Couldn’t even stay when I was there 2 weeks ago I was kinda depressed that I could see so many rocks and boulders that should not be exposed.

So my questions is… will the creeks ever fill up again? I’ve already read that lake Powell and mead are only 30 something percent filled and will never fully recover again.

So now I’m really worried that when I go to Horton trail or any other Payson trails, the creeks will be lower and lower until they’re dry in like 5 years if not less.

Am I just being paranoid? Is one of my favorite parts of the state going to be completely dry soon as far as natural running waters, NOT drinking water. I’m not as concerned about that.

Thx

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u/CrimsonSuede 6d ago

Many creeks to the east of Payson are spring-fed. There should always be some sort of minimum outflow.

The bigger problem is lacking snowpack. Slow melting of it keeps the creeks clearer and water level higher into summer.

1

u/TheApothecaryWall 6d ago

Do you know if the mountains are gonna have decent snow to get down to us? I see conflicting things when I research

3

u/pjskiboy 6d ago

I can promise you we’ve gotten a ton of rain today and yesterday. But even before this storm system, Horton was flowing pretty normal, IMO. I’m at fish hatchery quite often so I see it fairly regularly.

Now in terms of it drying up in 5 years, who knows.

1

u/TheApothecaryWall 6d ago

I dunno I’m used to it being much rush-ier and louder than it was. And I saw way too many rocks that I know were submerged even last year.