Beaver Creek is an outstanding area for conducting aquatic studies in Domain 13 because it has the representative hydrology, water issues, and is designated as an experimental watershed and UNESCO Man and the Biosphere Reserve to specifically address water-related issues. It typifies southwestern U.S. hydrological system, with both perennial and intermittent reaches, drought-flood cycles, and hydraulically connected surface and groundwater. Beaver Creek is a major drainage into the Verde River, which then flows into the Salt River, providing water to the expanding Phoenix metropolitan region, the fastest growing urban area in the USA. The growing communities of Sedona, Oak Creek, Lake Montezuma, Rimrock, and Camp Verde all place significant demands on available water. Exotic fishes and crayfish provide a challenge to restoration of the perennial Wet Beaver Creek, while beavers are actively restoring pond habitats in Dry Beaver Creek. There are currently ten active stream gauges distributed in the upper portion of the watershed (Figure 3). Stoneman Lake, a permanent natural lake, is also located in the upper portion of the watershed. Paleoenvironmental work in Stoneman Lake has documented 9,000 years of vegetation change in the watershed (Hasbargen 1994).

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Figure 3. Because of it's status as a designated Experimental Watershed, the Beaver Creek Watershed has 4 active weather stations (2 located at the administrative sites), 10 active stream gauges, and 38 precipitation gauges. Several beaver ponds have recently been documented along Dry Beaver Creek.