Humboldt Well

Location: 

Patagonia Mountains, approximately 6.5 miles southeast of Patagonia Highway along Flux Canyon Road, Santa Cruz County

Date Discovered:

September 30, 2009

Impaired Surface Waterbody:

Humboldt Canyon

Surface Water Quality Exceedances for Designated Uses:

• Cadmium (aquatic and wildlife, ephemeral and aquatic and wildlife, warmwater)
• Copper (aquatic and wildlife, ephemeral and aquatic and wildlife, warmwater)
• Zinc (aquatic and wildlife, ephemeral and aquatic and wildlife, warmwater)
• Low pH

Affected Media:

• Surface Water

What Are My Health Risks?

For Surface Water | Surface water quality standards are established to provide protection for a waterbody’s designated use(s). | Learn more >

ADEQ and AZGFD jointly publish fish consumption advisories | Learn more >

For Soil | There is little to no health risk unless there is contact with skin or ingestion of contaminated soil

For Groundwater | If you are connected to a Public Water System (PWS) there is little to no risk of impact from exceedances because the water is filtered through the PWS for residential and business use | View Drinking Water Notices >

If you have a private well in the vicinity of the exceedance, we encourage you to test the well water. Not sure what to test for? | Learn More >

For Mining Adits/Shafts | If you encounter a mining adit or shaft, do not enter it. The Arizona State Mine Inspector conducts inspections of legacy mines and implements safety measures | Learn more >

Site Summary:

• Artesian groundwater well discharging into Humboldt Canyon, a tributary to Alum Gulch
• Well was capped in early 2000s
• Well casing above ground was subsequently damaged, resulting in discharging well
• ADEQ coordinating with U.S. Forest Service, Army Corps of Engineers, Arizona Department of Water Resources, and Arizona Standard to repair and cap well per A.R.S. §45-602(A)
• Well has been temporarily capped until permanent remediation work can begin October 1, 2021