Oak Creek Watershed Council

Oak Creek Watershed Council (OCWC) aids in protecting the beauty and maintaining the health of Oak Creek and its watershed. OCWC implements strategies to “keep the creek clean” through public and classroom education, waste disposal, creek clean-ups and many other projects.  Recreational impacts to Oak Creek result in widespread litter, traffic induced pollution and fecal contamination leading to high E. coli levels. Donations made to the OCWC contribute directly to maintaining clean water for swimming and fishing, creating a legacy of Oak Creek as a riparian sanctuary for plants, wildlife and the recreational enjoyment for our future generations. 


OCWC projects include:

Midgley Bridge Toilet Project- In partnership with the USFS:  Design and construction of a CTX Vault Toilet system. The project components are managed by the USFS. 

Oak Creek Cleanup- This highly publicized campaign is community-driven and involves cleaning 40 concentrated recreational areas in the Oak Creek corridor twice monthly during season by Friends of Oak Creek volunteers.  The goal is to reduce E. coli contamination of Oak Creek. 

Oak Creek Ambassadors Program- Two 2-person teams will be hired and trained by OCWC and the USFS to serve as Water Quality Ambassadors. These two teams will spend the entire summer working on Oak Creek recreation sites in Sedona and the counties talking to visitors, picking up trash, human and dog waste, and making presentations to campground and day-use visitors. 

Pet Waste Projects-  This project includes the installation of 5 Gladiator Pet Waste Stations at designated trailheads in the City of Sedona as well as 15 Stations on private property along the Oak Creek corridor particularly in areas that are maintained by HOA's. Nine stations have already been donated to the City, and our volunteers may possibly be involved in the on-going maintenance.  

Education program with middle school science students at West Sedona School and Big Park School will be developed as a follow up to a similar pilot program in the OCWIP grant.  Students will be taught good watershed stewardship and will participate in field trips.

Watershed Video- A 10-15 minute public awareness video is being produced that demonstrates the origins and impacts of E. coli contamination in the Oak Creek Watershed. The overall look of the video will be stunning beauty of the Sedona Red Rock area and Oak Creek Canyon as well as dramatic footage packed with facts.

Watershed Book is being developed and published to include (but not limited to) how a watershed functions and demonstrate the origins and impacts of E. coli contamination.  Maps and trails around the City of Sedona and Oak Creek Canyon will be featured as well as points of interest, geological formations, flora, indigenous animal life, etc. Book will have 8 chapters and be approximately 160 pages. 

Water Sampling Program- We will conduct a monitoring program of Oak Creek at 5 sites to measure E.coli concentrations.  In collaboration with Friends of the Forest we will also conduct separate sampling of five high concentrated recreational sites on a weekly basis from Memorial Day through to Labor Day.

Other ongoing efforts by OCWC:

• Expand and support Watershed Improvement Commission (WIC). 
• Continue to assist Sedona’s staff on water issues and community outreach.  
• Continue to assist the Sedona Chamber of Commerce in the development of a Green Business Affinity Group and continue to support Sustainable Tourism. 
• Implementation of Oak Creek Community Outreach Program (OCCOP) involving continuing education of residents and visitors in support of eliminating pollution of Oak Creek corridor, including presentations to watershed residents, general public, community groups, students and government entities. 
• Schedule and hold bi-monthly meetings of the OCWC membership in the Vultee Room, City of Sedona Plaza. 
• Upgrade and maintain web/social media sites