The city presented an update on Willow Lake water levels and a draft management plan that staff say is aimed at improving long‑term water quality, habitat and public use.

Jeremy Cordova, Environmental Project Manager for Prescott Public Works, said Willow Lake was approximately 15.5 feet below dam spillway elevation when the report was drafted and recent rain raised it only to about 14.9 feet. He said the lake was deliberately lowered nine feet to provide firm ground for a sewer main infrastructure project; while archaeological surveys required the work to stop, evaporation lowered the lake several additional feet and it remained at the unusually low level.

Cordova described ecological effects: low oxygen and higher pH, accumulation of nutrients and salts, and large stands of invasive tamarisk (salt cedar) and thousands of new vegetation patches establishing below the spillway. He warned that when the lake refills, drowned vegetation is likely to create persistent organic 'muck' that can degrade water quality for years. Cordova said staff are developing vegetation management zones and coordinating with the fire department on fuel‑reduction work to reduce wildfire risk from dried vegetation.

To assess options for recovery and possible modifications, the city has initiated a Willow Lake coring and sediment study to determine how deep deposited sediment is before native background sediment appears, and a Willow Creek functional assessment to analyze erosion and deposition and identify ways to improve groundwater recharge. Cordova noted that the city will follow required notifications (including to SRP) and that environmental assessments would be done prior to any project construction.

Cordova also discussed remediation of the city‑owned Prescott dirt site (within county jurisdiction), saying material removal will follow FEMA rules for regulated zones and that staff plan testing and removal via the transfer station as appropriate. Among potential low‑cost ecological approaches, he said staff are exploring beaver reintroduction to help improve water quality, habitat diversity and flood control pending Arizona Game and Fish approval.

Staff said they will continue multi‑agency coordination, return to council with refined plan goals and deliverables, and pursue targeted studies and field work with Yavapai County Flood Control and ADEQ monitoring partners.