Pinto Creek (Arizona)

Pinto Creek is a tributary of the Salt River in Gila County, Arizona, within the Tonto National Forest. The creek winds for 28 miles (45 km) northward from the Pinal Mountains, through the Sonoran Desert, before emptying into the tail of Theodore Roosevelt Lake.[1] Since the 1980s, the Pinto Creek watershed has been the site of environmental disputes over water rights and mining operations.[2]

Pinto Creek
The US 60 bridge over Pinto Creek in 2018.
Location
CountryUnited States
StateArizona
CountyGila County
Physical characteristics
MouthTheodore Roosevelt Lake, Salt River
 • coordinates
33°38′20″N 110°59′57″W
Length28 mi (45 km)
Basin features
River systemColorado River
LandmarksPinto Valley Mine, Carlota Mine

Historically, the lower Pinto Creek was a rare desert riparian stream that supported sycamore, cottonwood, willow, and ash trees, and a diversity of wildlife.[1] The creek started drying up in 2013 as a result of increased groundwater pumping by the Pinto Valley Mine, despite the Forest Service holding instream flow rights. As of 2022, mining continues while much of Pinto Creek remains dry year-round. Groundwater repletion is expected to take at least 100 years.[2]

Mining

Pinto Valley Mine
Main article: Pinto Valley Mine

In 1999 the Forest Service obtained an instream flow right to Pinto Creek, granting it the ability to require a minimum water flow from mining companies.[2]

Carlota Mine

The Carlota Mine is an open pit copper mine located abreast of Pinto Creek about 15 miles (24 km) upstream from its outlet, encompassing both private and Forest Service lands.

The mine's copper deposit was discovered in the mid-1990s.[3] The environmental impact statement for the mine was completed on June 22, 1997, while the plan of operation was completed in 1998. The mine began production on December 18, 2008, under the ownership of Vancouver-based Quadra Mining Ltd.[4] In 2010, Quadra Mining merged with FNX Mining Company Inc. to form Quadra FNX Mining. In 2012, KGHM Polska Miedź acquired the Carlota Mine through its acquisition of Quadra FNX.[5] In 2021, KGHM had plans to divest from the Carlota Mine.[6]

In response to the original proposal for the Carlota Mine, American Rivers designated Pinto Creek as one of America's Most Endangered Rivers in 1996,[7] 1997,[8] and 1998.[1] While the Carlota Mine extracted water from the Pinto Creek watershed, the Forest Service required the operation of devices to feed water back into the creek. These kept portions of the target area watered year-round.[2]

References
  1. "America's Most Endangered Rivers of 1998" (PDF). American Rivers. April 1998. Retrieved 12 August 2023.
  2. McGlade, Caitlin (13 April 2022). "The Forest Service was supposed to protect Pinto Creek from mining. Critics say it looked the other way". The Arizona Republic. Retrieved 17 August 2023.
  3. "Mining Information". United States Forest Service: Tonto National Forest. Retrieved 16 August 2023.
  4. Lake, Ted (12 September 2017). "Then and now Carlota Copper Mine". Silver Belt. Retrieved 17 August 2023.
  5. "Carlota". KGHM Corporate Website. KGHM Polska Miedź. 28 October 2014. Retrieved 17 August 2023.
  6. Ellichipuram, Umesh (8 March 2021). "Polish miner KGHM intends to divest two copper mines in US". Mining Technology. Retrieved 17 August 2023.
  7. "1996 Most Endangered Rivers report #8 Pinto Creek". amrivers.org. American Rivers. Archived from the original on 2 July 2003. Retrieved 12 August 2023.
  8. "1997 Most Endangered Rivers report #6 Pinto Creek". amrivers.org. American Rivers. Archived from the original on 2 July 2003. Retrieved 12 August 2023.
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