Watson Wash Closed

The Bureau of Land Management's (BLM) Safford Field Office completed an Emergency Closure of the Watson Wash hot tub area on May 25th. Watson Wash, located across the Gila River north of Thatcher, is the site of an artesian hot spring on public lands.

While the area's been used for legitimate soaking & camping, it's mainly an all-night weekend party spot, resulting in significant management challenges for both the BLM & local law enforcement agencies. Problems at the site include drug use, alcohol abuse, & violence, some of which have resulted in deaths. Unlawful activities at the hot tub have affected neighbors living in the surrounding area by home invasions & late-night requests for help.

Since '97, the BLM worked to resolve issues related to the site &, in '99, a community-based partnership team began work on a management plan for the site. Other considerations in the planning process included salinity of the well as a potential pollutant to the Gila River, the popularity of the site for therapeutic bathing, a mining claim on the lithium in the water, & past & potential threatened & endangered fish habitat. Due to the complexity of the issues, the team never selected a Preferred Alternative.

In '04-'05, the Gila Watershed Partnership spearheaded efforts to complete the plan with the understanding that, if the community group failed to select a Preferred Alternative, the BLM would likely close the site & cap the well. The team failed to reach consensus &, due to recent escalations in violence at Watson Wash, the BLM closed the site on May 25th, removing the hot tub & capping the well.

"We felt a deep responsibility to those in the area of the tub that have been impacted by the illicit activities taking place in the neighborhood & we are responding to requests from city & county officials & pleas from law enforcement officers asking for a resolution of this ongoing problem," said Safford Field Manager Bill Brandau. A petition had also been circulated in the Gila Valley asking for the site's closure.

For further info about the Emergency Closure, contact Tom, Assistant Field Manager in Safford, at (928) 348-4420, or call Bill Brandau at 348-4461.