THE RIO CONCHOS PROJECT Restoring a Desert Lifeline N O N a C - F W W / R E K R a P D R a W D E ©

THE RIO CONCHOS PROJECT Restoring a desert lifeline n o n a C - F W W / R E K R A P d r a w d E ©

WWF Mexico January 2009 CONTENTS

Introduction – a tale of two rivers 1

Life in the desert – the biodiversity of the Chihuahuan Desert and Big Bend National Park 3

Man’s desert footprint – the pressures of modern economy 5

Rivers of change – key threats to the Rio Grande and Rio Conchos 6

Restoring a desert lifeline – WWF’s work to protect the Rio Conchos 8

Going forward – the next phase of our work 12

Appendix 1 Water conservation in the Delicias Irrigation District New hope for the Conchos trout

Appendix 2 Outline of key project requirements A TALE OF TWO RIVERS

The Chihuahuan Desert region is approximately 800 miles long and 250 miles wide. It stretches from the Rio Grande Valley in southern New Mexico to the north of Mexico City and is surrounded by Mexico’s two great mountain ranges – the Sierra Madre Oriental and the Sierra Madre Occidental. Two rivers, the Rio Grande and its major tributary the Rio Conchos, provide the main source of freshwater for millions of people, and a multitude of wildlife species that make the Chihuahuan Desert the third richest desert in biodiversity, and one of the 20 most important ecoregions in the world. The rivers are the lifeblood of the desert. The balance of life here depends on them. Rio Grande – a river running dry The Rio Grande (known as the Rio Bravo in Mexico) runs for 1,865 miles. Its entire basin covers 170,000 square miles – an area the size of Italy. The river rises in the San Juan Mountains of Colorado, flows south through the San Luis Valley into New Mexico, then into Texas, where it becomes an international border with Mexico. At the border town of Ojinaga the Rio Grande is fed by the Rio Conchos. It then cuts through the Chihuahuan Desert on to Big Bend National Park, and heads east to the Gulf of Mexico. Maps still show the Rio Grande flowing through the Chihuahuan Desert and down the US/Mexican border to the Gulf of Mexico, yet in reality the river has been divided into two. Downstream of the Mexican city of Juárez, the Rio Grande dries up for 200 miles, becoming little more than a collection of seeps and Rio Grande, Big Bend Region. © WWF / Jennifer MONTOYA pools locals call the “forgotten reach”. Even the underground springs and water holes that help keep it flowing through periods of drought, are drying up. Rio Conchos – a river of hope The Rio Conchos rises in the mountains of the Sierra Madre Occidental then flows northeastwards across the Chihuahuan Desert through the city of Chihuahua and the dramatic Pegüis Canyon, before reaching its confluence with the Rio Grande. Here, the replenishing waters of this vitally important river restore between 70-90% of the Rio Grande’s flow. Rio Conchos. © Edward PARKER / WWF-Canon

BACKGROUND | 1 Mexican wolf (Canis lupus baileyi). World’s second largest cactus (Carnegiea Crevice spiny lizard (Sceloporus poinsetti). © PROFAUNA Manolo Ochoa gigantea, Saguaro). © Chris Martin BAHR / WWF-Canon © Edward PARKER / WWF-Canon

Bighorn sheep (Ovis canadensis). Julimes pupfish (Cyprinodon nsp Julimes). Female Bison and calf (Bison bison). © Edward PARKER / WWF-Canon © WWF / Juan Miguel ARTIGAS AZAS © Fritz PÖLKING / WWF-Canon

Cactus (unknown genus), Tehuacán Valley. Burrowing Owl (Athene cunicularia). Female pronghorn antelope (Antilocapra © Anthony B. RATH / WWF-Canon © Bruno PAMBOUR / WWF-Canon americana). © Rob OATES / WWF LIFE IN THE DESERT

The Big Bend region encompasses a huge sweep of the Northern Chihuahuan Desert, and supports an exceptional array of wildife. More than 1,200 species of plants, 600 vertebrate animal species and around 3,600 insect species are found here. Mule deer, pronghorn antelope and grey fox roam the fertile river valley. Roadrunners scurry after earless lizards in the desert scrub. Golden eagles soar above the cool mountain tops. The region is also an important haven for migratory species such as monarch butterflies. Once a year these delicate insects make the amazingly long migration from Canada to southern Mexico. During their trip they are responsible for the cross pollination of thousands of plants in this region. Mountain lion (Puma concolor). © KLEIN and HUBERT / WWF Endemic species Bird species The Chihuahuan Desert is home to almost 1,000 Common bird species include the greater roadrunner, species found nowhere else in the world. These scaled quail, black-throated sparrow and cactus wren. include butterflies, spiders, ants, lizards, snakes, fish Numerous birds of prey also inhabit the desert, such and almost one-fifth of the world’s cacti. Endemic as the great horned owl, elf owl, burrowing owl, turtles include the Bolsón desert turtle, Coahuilan box Aplomado falcon, ferruginous hawk, and the rare zone- turtle and several softshell turtles. tailed hawk. Plants Fish Prickly pear, claret cup and pitaya are just some of the There are 110 native species of fish, including cactus species that add a splash of colour to the particularly unusual ones such as the Julimes pupfish, desert. Other flowering plants include the desert which lives at temperatures above 104ºF. Another marigold, desert willow, bluebonnet, ocotillo and unusual fish is the Amazon Molly, an all-female species desert sage. named after the warriors of Greek mythology. In 2005, a breeding population of the Conchos trout was Mammals rediscovered in the upper tributaries of the Rio Conchos The desert supports the most complete assortment of giving hope for this highly endangered native fish. large mammals in North America. They include black All of these incredible wildlife species have one thing bears, mountain lion, Mexican wolf, collared peccary (known locally as the javelina), bighorn sheep, black- in common – they depend on a perennial water tailed jack rabbit and kangaroo rat. The region also source for their survival. It is vital that the Rio Grande contains small wild populations of the highly maintains healthy instream flows to sustain riparian endangered American bison and Mexican prairie dog, habitat and protect the natural ecosystem. WWF is as well as the common prairie dog. carrying out a range of different projects to ensure this happens, so that the natural balance of life Reptiles is maintained. Further details can be found from The Texas horned lizard, Texas banded gecko and page 8 onwards. several species of spiny lizard are found here. Snakes include the Trans-Pecos ratsnake, Texas black-headed snake, and several species of rattlesnake.

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Evidence of past human life can be found all over the including maize, winter wheat, alfalfa, cotton, pecans Chihuahuan Desert. Prehistoric rock carvings, old and cash crops. This agriculture is largely dependent presidios, ghost towns and ancient ruins such as the on the water that flows into the Rio Grande from the mysterious city of Paquimé are proof that people Rio Conchos. The Conchos itself irrigates over have survived here for millennia. Despite the harsh 220,000 acres of crops in three irrigation districts and environment they have been able to create is the main source of water for 1.3 million people in Chihuahua. livelihoods in the desert. Population today The need for water In 2005, 692,000 acre feet of water were diverted from Today over 10 million people live in the Rio Grande the middle of the river – equivalent to one Olympic- basin, and 33% of the Chihuahua State population sized swimming pool every two minutes. Extraction on inhabit the Rio Conchos Sub-Basin. Economic this scale means virtually nothing is left for nature, expansion is drawing more people to the area. To meet particularly in drought years. Much of the water stored human needs for water, extensive networks of water in dams evaporates under the hot sun, or is lost en diversions and dams control the flows in both the route to the farms, with only 40% of water actually Rio Grande and Rio Conchos. The largest of these is reaching the crops. Even then, it is often wasted La Boquilla, which provides the main water supply for through inefficient practices such as flood irrigation. the large irrigation district near the town of Delicias. The huge storage capacity of the dams is not only to supply freshwater for industry, agriculture and people. A treaty made with the US in 1944 means that tributaries of the Rio Grande, particularly the Rio Conchos, must supply water to water users living further downstream on the Rio Grande.

Cuidad Juárez and El Paso on the Mexican/USA border. Much of the water used is extracted from the Rio Grande and aquifers under the Chihuahuan desert. © Edward PARKER / WWF-Canon A growing economy Economic activity within the Rio Conchos basin accounts for over 40% of Chihuahua’s Gross State Product and is closely linked to agriculture, mining and forestry activities. Agriculture now takes up to 90% of Francisco I Madero Dam, where water saving irrigation practices the Rio Grande’s water. A variety of crops are produced have currently been put in place. © WWF /Jenny ZAPATA

PEOPLE AND THE PRESSURES OF MODERN ECONOMY | 5 RIVERS OF CHANGE

The once mighty Rio Grande is in danger of running Destroyed by invasive species dry. Drought, pollution and the effects of As a result of low water levels, pollution has become unsustainable water use are depleting its waters at more concentrated, seriously affecting the health of the an alarming rate, leaving little to sustain the river’s ecosystem. The lower Rio Grande is suffering ecological balance. Unless strict water conservation from increasing salinisation, with coastal species measures are adopted by communities along the invading as far as 200 miles upstream. Saltcedar, an river, the future of the Rio Grande looks bleak. invasive plant species, is becoming more widespread and has completely choked almost 200 miles of the Depleted by modern day need river corridor from downstream of El Paso to where the The health of the Rio Conchos is key to maintaining the Rio Conchos joins the Rio Grande. flow of the Rio Grande. Yet this river too is under threat. Its flow fluctuates throughout the year – at times flooding, then drying to a trickle in a matter of months. A prolonged period of drought and low flows from 1994- 2006 meant water available for agricultural irrigation dwindled to less than 10% of the historical annual average. Desperate farmers resorted to pumping more and more water from underground aquifers without knowing how much – or how little – remained.

Flood irrigation of Pecan plantation. © WWF / Rob SHORE

Vulnerable to climate change Saltcedar (Tamarix ramosissima) The semi-arid climate of the Chihuahuan Desert and Native to Eurasia and Africa the relatively low availability of dependable surface Evergreen tree that grows to 20 feet tall. Long tap roots intercept waters make dramatic changes in rainfall patterns (in deep water tables and interfere with natural aquatic systems. particular another prolonged drought) a major concern. The plant monopolizes limited sources of water, disrupts the structure and stability of native plant communities and degrades The region is considered to be among Mexico’s most wildlife habitat. vulnerable ecosystems to climate change, making dramatically improved water management even more Ariel view of Saltcedar in the Forgotten Reach. © WWF of a priority for both wildlife and people. Tipping the balance of nature As the rivers dry, the Chihuahuan Desert’s once unparalleled variety of cacti and other desert plants are gradually disappearing, as are the deer, bears and jaguars that once inhabited the region. At least a third of the region’s native and endemic fish have When the Rio Grande ran dry disappeared and the dried up wetlands and lakes can no longer play host to migrating birds. Upstream of the Big Bend region the Rio Grande runs dry for 200 miles before the Rio Conchos restores its flow. Locals call this People are suffering too. Farmers are finding it harder place the Forgotten Reach. But that is not the only place the river and harder to grow their crops. In recent years, extremely runs to desert. In the summer of 2001, a 320 ft. wide sandbar completely blocked off the Rio Grande from the Gulf of Mexico. harsh conditions and water scarcity have forced many The sandbar was subsequently dredged, but it re-formed almost growers out of business. This has wide reaching immediately and lasted for five months before summer flows consequences not least for the thousands of Mexican washed it away. For much of the next two years the sandbank workers whose income relies on crop harvesting. returned, literally turning the river into desert. Dry Rio Grande near the Forgotten Reach. © WWF / Rob OATES

KEY THREATS | 7 RESTORING A DESERT LIFELINE

The pressures facing both the Rio Grande and the Rio Conchos are numerous and complex, yet despite the threats there is still hope. Since 2002, WWF-UK has been working with Mexico to monitor and protect the health of the Rio Conchos. Our aim is to establish sustainable ways of managing water resources here to ensure vital year-round flows continue to reach people and wildlife in the wider Rio Grande basin. Our work so far High in the Sierra Tarahumara, source of the Rio Conchos, we are working with indigenous communities to establish protected areas, implement community-based problem solving workshops and processes. We have also funded local water Distributing communication materials in the Sierra Tarahumara. © WWF / Citlali CORTES conservation projects. Further downstream we are assessing a payment agriculture. This will be used for environmental scheme that can help water users fund better purposes, such as protecting wetlands and securing upstream water management to protect their supplies. in-stream flow, to ensure the health of the river and Along the mainstream of the river we are working with maintain a sound ecological environment. In addition, commercial agriculture producers to develop water we are working with local people to eradicate the conservation techniques for cotton, pecan and invasive Saltcedar tree that has proliferated through alfalfa production. large areas of the Big Bend region. We have already restored floodplain habitat that had become infested At political level we are focussing on creating with this species. institutions and legal mechanisms, as well as identifying sources of funding to acquire water saved in The mayor of Ojinaga during the multi-stakeholder meeting to review the Rio Conchos IRBM strategy in 2007. © WWF / Jenny ZAPATA The following outlines of some of our key projects Achieving these reforms will ensure that future and our aims for the future: planning decisions respect the needs of the environment. This will open up many exciting Irrigation improvements in the possibilities to improve river basin and water Delicias district management throughout Mexico. WWF has been working with farmers and the government in Delicias to develop sustainable water Analysing the 1944 water treaty management practices. Traditionally, farmers have WWF is analysing the 1944 treaty which controls the irrigated their fields by flooding them with vast quantities use of water from the Rio Grande. We are identifying of water. By using high pressure sprinklers and drip federal roles and opportunities to ensure that the irrigation, water is applied evenly and in lower volumes. ecosystem of the Big Bend region receives optimum Results so far show a 60% saving in water levels and an quality, quantity and distribution of water. A white increase in production levels of up to 50%. paper will be written outlining possible solutions such as dam re-operation, the creation of water trusts and We need to continue to build on the success of our other policy initiatives. work in Delicias and expand our work into other regions, to help farmers improve their irrigation Securing environmental flow to the Big Bend region methods and use water more efficiently. is of vital importance to the indigenous communities NB: See appendix 1 – water conservation in the and wildlife it sustains. Delicias Irrigation District

Leaders of the Irrigation District Producers’ Association meeting with WWF. © WWF / Jenny ZAPATA

Creating a River Basin Organisation The Inter-Institutional Work Group comprises people from all over the Rio Conchos basin who work together with the government on water management and land Farmers from the Delicias irrigation district during a research use. WWF is working to support the group and build consultation. © WWF / Jenny ZAPATA them into a fully functioning River Basin Organisation. We need to develop a legal strategy to reactivate the Introducing a water bill in Mexico Rio Conchos Basin Committee and include water To lay a firm foundation for improving water security goals. management in Mexico, WWF is lobbying for reforms to the 1992 Mexican water law. These include integrating water resource management across areas such as forestry, increased water-use efficiency, and ensuring public participation in water management decisions.

WWF’S WORK | 9 Restoring Natural Protected By actively demonstrating the impacts of industry Areas at Pegüis Canyon and and other pressures on water flows, we can positively influence planning decisions. Pandeño Springs Pegüis Canyon resembles a small Grand Canyon and Reducing the impact of Saltcedar is one of the most dramatic yet relatively undiscovered WWF is training local communities in the management sites in the region. Pandeño Springs are hot springs of this highly invasive species. near Julimes, home to the endemic Julimes pupfish, We are also monitoring the effects of the Saltcedar thought to be the hottest freshwater fish in the world. Leaf Beetle, which was introduced as a natural Working with local people, WWF has helped initiate biological control. community protection and ecotourism schemes in these areas. We need to continue our monitoring in order to gain We need to continue our work to ensure Pegüis an understanding of the beetle’s impact on Canyon and Pandeño Springs become formally vegetation, river channel, and other species. recognised as a Natural Protected Areas. This will Soil conservation and attract more tourists to the region and provide local restoration work communities with a sustainable, alternative income. WWF has been working with local communities to Conchos trout conservation project restore land that has been lost through soil erosion by This project aims to save the recently rediscovered and building gabion dams – rock structures built into critically endangered Conchos trout from extinction. heavily eroded river channels. These dams trap The first phase aims to ensure the viability of the sediment and gradually restore the land to its original breeding population found recently in the upper state, replacing land for local farmers and improving tributary of the Rio Conchos and to implement a the quality of in-stream habitats. One local community management plan for the conservation of the species. appreciated WWF’s help so much they named their dam after us! See appendix 1 for further details about this project. Improving the lives of people Assessing the health of the and wildlife ecosystem An important factor in the success of our pilot projects WWF is monitoring the health of the freshwater is our work with local communities to help them control ecosystem throughout the Rio Conchos basin by invasive species, replant native vegetation and studying hydrodynamics, water quality, and biotic increase water flows. This has not only helped ensure conditions including changes in fish assemblages and people get the water they need. Just as importantly, it macro-invertebrate communities. Results are stored on has also restored a more natural river channel and the Rio Conchos website. floodplain habitat which supports a rich variety of The website holds all the data collected on land and wildlife – from flowering plants that attract bees and water use and is a valuable information resource for butterflies, to fish that use the floodplains for breeding and nursery areas, and the large mammal populations water users. that depend on a year-round supply of water Hydrological monitoring to survive. WWF is currently developing and fine-tuning water management models for the Rio Conchos. By overlaying different development scenarios, such as new industry or climate change, we can investigate the impact on water flows and use the results to influence authorities in their decision making. Gabion dam, named after WWF. New drip irrigation system in Delicias Irrigation District. © WWF / Jenny ZAPATA © WWF / Rob OATES

Community rainwater collection system. Grey fox (Urocyon cinereoargenteus). © WWF / David Lauer READ © Anthony B. RATH / WWF-CANON

WWF’S WORK | 11 GOING FORWARD

The successes we have achieved so far are meant that water was not in short supply and people heartening. Our close partnership with Mexico’s were willing to come to the table to discuss resource National Water Commission (CONAGUA) means the allocation. After several years of work, WWF now has conclusions of our work in the Conchos basin with the data to ensure the correct decisions can be made local communities and at policy-making level, will and the most effective solutions put into place. We be fed directly into the review and updating of must not let this opportunity go by. national legislation. A project of global relevance By getting environmental considerations built into Our work is not just relevant to Mexico. By water management systems we can help ensure the demonstrating effective solutions in the Rio Conchos, ecosystem receives the quality, quantity and WWF can not only fundamentally change the way distribution of water it needs to flourish. The pilot water is managed here, we can help inform and projects we have carried out so far show that clearing develop water management practices globally, and invasive species, replanting native vegetation and improve the lives of people and wildlife all over increasing water flows helps restore a natural river the world. channel and floodplain habitat, which creates a biodiverse ecosystem. We need to build on this It is vital that we continue success and repopulate wider areas of the basin with The challenges facing the Rio Grande are complex, but natural vegetation. we are making significant progress. Now we must keep pushing forward to increase the momentum we have A window of opportunity built at both community and government and ensure The time is right for change. During September 2008 real and sustained change takes place. This level of Chihuahua experienced unusually high rainfall, which commitment will take time and money and we urgently resulted in the flooding of several agricultural and need to raise £245,000 in order to continue our work. urban areas and was exacerbated by poor management of water storage facilities. This NB: The money raised will be used in many ways, highlighted the importance of implementing a revised from establishing National Protected Areas, to river management approach that is in concordance installing wastewater treatment facilities in small with environmental flows, and uses sound information town and villages. See Appendix 2 for further to set patterns of storage and release of water. information on how the money raised will be used. Previous to this flooding, two years of good rainfall

Water Conservation in the Delicias Irrigation District

Farmers in the Chihuahuan Desert region of Northern Mexico have been working with WWF and the local water authorities to improve their irrigation systems. They are now seeing positive results in both water savings and increased productivity.

Mauricio De La Maza, WWF-Mexico’s Chihuahuan Desert Director, explained how lining irrigation channels with concrete, channelling water in pipes and improving irrigation techniques has helped farmers save water. Previous irrigation methods meant much of the water evaporated or soaked into the earth before it reached the crops.

© WWF / Jenny ZAPATA De La Maza explains: “Traditionally, farmers flooded their fields, so much of the water was lost. Now they have installed high-pressure sprinklers and drip irrigation to water alfalfa, cash crops and pecan tree plantations. This allows water to be applied more evenly and in lower volumes. In the case of pecan plantations, water use efficiency has improved by 90 per cent.”

A wide variety of techniques have been introduced to save water. Lasers are being used to level fields so that instead of pooling, the water soaks in evenly. Traditional earthen channels have been replaced by low-pressure plastic pipes. These prevent seepage and contain individual gates that control the flow of water to the plants so that it soaks straight into the roots.

Results are heartening. In 2007, Delicias Irrigation District succeeded in reducing its water usage to 830 million m3 – a lot lower than the 1 billion m3 of a year ago, and 62% less than the 2.2 billion m3 being used fifteen years ago. This successful water saving project is being heralded as a model case for other agricultural regions across Mexico. New hope for the Conchos trout

The Conchos trout is a native, endemic and highly endangered trout species, and the only known Mexican trout from a river that drains into the Atlantic Ocean.

In 2005, the mountainous terrain of the Rio Conchos upper tributaries was extensively searched, and a breeding population of Conchos trout was rediscovered. This comprised 200-300 individual fish isolated in 1.5 © Joe TOMELLERI miles of stream.

WWF’s collaborative Conchos Trout Conservation Project aims to ensure that this extremely vulnerable population remains viable. We are working with the Raramuri tribe, the original indigenous people of the region, on a range of conservation programmes. The Raramuri are actively protecting this area as a result of the pride they have in being the only place where this rare fish species is currently found.

The next phase of our project involves implementing a conservation management plan and further extensive surveys of more Rio Conchos tributaries to search for other possible ‘lost’ populations. We are also investigating means to protect the remaining fish from invasive species, and exploring opportunities to develop local ecotourism and Conchos trout husbandry programmes to provide the local community with sustainable incomes. APPENDIX 2

Rio Conchos Project – Outline of Key Requirements 2009/10

The following is a break-down of the various ways in which funding could be used to strengthen conservation work in the Rio Conchos basin, and to ensure that our environmental research and analysis, documentation and lobbying can continue.

£1,000 could help fund a workshop to develop a responsible ecotourism network in the Rio Conchos basin.

£1,500 could be used to help establish and restore Protected Areas in Pegüis Canyon and Pandeño Springs.

£1,750 could help strengthen the capabilities of the local grassroots organisation responsible for long- term environmental stewardship of Pandeño Springs.

£2,000 will go towards installing appropriate wastewater treatment facilities for small towns and villages in the middle of the Rio Conchos basin. This will reduce the amount of untreated waste polluting the river system.

£2,500 could be used to help support local water users in the Rio Conchos basin by helping them to work together and engage with authorities on water use and their needs.

£4,500 could go towards securing the water needed to conserve the unique Julimes pupfish at Pandeño Springs.

£5,000 could go towards monitoring the effects of the Saltcedar Leaf Beetle on the highly invasive Salt Cedar that has choked almost 200 miles of the Rio Grande.

£7,500 could help produce a white paper of recommendations on how to secure optimum quality, quantity and timing of water to Big Bend in order for it to flourish.