Allegations of county dumping debris in "Turkey Creek" have two sides to the story
By Mary Alice Murphy
Lewis Mitchell of Buckhorn has alleged twice in public input at the Grant County Commission at the Tuesday work session and at today's Regular meeting (Sept. 10, 2026) that the county has dumped debris in "Turkey Creek," which flows into the Gila River.
He alleged that chunks of concrete and asphalt from the renovation of the ballfields in Cliff were dumped into "Turkey Creek."
[Author's Note: The creek in that area is Duck Creek, not Turkey Creek - wrong bird.]
The first project this year was when Silver Schools ballfields were turned over to the county to renovate and maintain. The second allegation Mitchell made is about the contaminated soil being dumped into the creek from the parking lot where the on-going construction at the Fairgrounds prepares for the upcoming Grant County Fair Sept. 23-26, 2026.
Mitchell alleged that the debris included concrete chunks that had been broken up from the ballfields as well as asphalt from the road the county rebuilt toward the dugout. He said the debris contaminated "Turkey Creek" with petroleum-based products, therefore contaminating the Gila River.
The other side of the story came from Jason Lockett, Grant County Public Works director.
Lockett referred to the same photos [some of which are shown below] that Mitchell had sent to the Beat and also sent to the county.
"We follow the many regulations set for our work," Lockett confirmed. "We never throw anything into the creek. We do, however, use dirt from projects to build up the berms to help keep the water in the creek from flooding our facilities."
The alleged chunks of concrete are actually natural rocks. Lockett said they were moved from their projects at Bataan Park to use in the landscaping around the ballfields.
The photos of tree debris at the edge of the creek come from a fallen tree and other trees the department trimmed because they threatened to fall into the parking areas at the Fairgrounds. They were used in the berms.
The asphalt alleged to have been tossed into the creek was actually ground up and mixed with base course to rebuild the road at the ballfields, according to Lockett.
"We do not throw anything into the creeks,"Lockett emphasized.
Photos Courtesy of Lewis Mitchell
Adding tree trimmings to the berm
