Create Paako Pond – a new fishing hole surrounded by cottonwoods

Flagstaff needs more places to fish. Currently, Flagstaff’s main fishing spots are Frances Short Pond, upper Lake Mary, and Lower Lake Mary, where fishing is popular every day of the year. The orange dot on the air photo marks the location of a perennial pond South of I-40 & Sam’s Club. It might be an ancient pond created by a farmer, or it might be a natural sinkhole. It has had water (but no fishable fish) for decades, and could become a valuable fishing hole for residents and visitors.

This pond is a 20-minute walk from Brannen Homes and Rio Homes, neighborhoods, and a 15-minute walk from the nearest car parking area (the street near Sam’s Club). Despite being close to I-40, the site is quiet and scenic, mainly because it is about 100 ft from a perennial stretch of the Rio de Flag.

Arizona Game and Fish Department would probably be an eager partner. The land is owned by the City of Flagstaff. NAU Professor Thomas Whitham worked with Natural Channel Design to draft a plan to create a grove of narrow-leaf cottonwood trees (Populus angustifolia) at the pond, with special emphasis on endangered genotypes of the species. We suggest working with local Native Americans are to select a name for the pond. Because paako is the Hopi word for cottonwoods, “Paako Pond” might be a superb name. Because this area is heavily used by elk, newly planted cottonwoods would need 4 years of fence sheaths around each stem. Partners should develop a long-term vehicle plan; the nearest paved road (Babbitt Drive Extension) is currently only open to Water Service vehicles.

The Rio de Flag Watershed Plan allows us to apply for Bureau of Reclamation grants to implement the plan.

Paako Pond in 2024

Zoomed out photo of the pond that is south of I-40 and north of a major FUTS trail.

Zoomed in photo of the pond that is south of I-40 and north of a major FUTS trail.