Abstract
The Havasu Creek watershed is the second largest watershed in the state of Arizona, and Havasu Creek, the only perennial portion of the watershed, is the second largest tributary to the Colorado River within the Grand Canyon. The aesthetic appeal of the unique aqueous chemistry and geologic formations of Havasu Creek draw large numbers of tourists to the area. Tourism is the main source of revenue for the Havasupai people who permanently reside in the town of Supai, located in Havasu Canyon directly below Havasu springs. The dangers presented by the extreme nature of the watershed’s hydrologic regime and the scale of tourism to the canyon create a unique managerial challenge. Seasonal flash flood events have caused considerable damage to Supai and the surrounding area over the past century; however, in order to maintain revenue, the Havasupai people remain in the canyon and run tourist facilities. This paper will examine the aqueous geochemistry, hydrologic regime, and unique management challenges of the Havasu Creek watershed.