Ambient Groundwater Quality of Tlie Douglas Basin: an ADEQ 1995-1996 Baseline Study

Total Page:16

File Type:pdf, Size:1020Kb

Ambient Groundwater Quality of Tlie Douglas Basin: an ADEQ 1995-1996 Baseline Study Ambient Groundwater Quality of tlie Douglas Basin: An ADEQ 1995-1996 Baseline Study I. Introduction »Ragstaff The Douglas Groundwater Basin (DGB) is located in southeastern Arizona (Figure 1). It is a picturesque broad alluvial valley surrounded by rugged mountain ranges. This factsheet is based on a study conducted in 1995- 1996 by the Arizona Department of Enviroimiental Quality (ADEQ) and Douglas summarizes a comprehensive regional Groundwater groundwater quality report (1). Basin The DGB was chosen for study for the following reasons: • Residents predominantly rely upon groundwater for their water needs. • There is a history of management decrees designed to increase groundwater sustainability (2). • The basin extends into Mexico, making groundwater issues an international concern. II. Background The DGB consists of the southern portion of the Sulphur Springs Valley, a northwest-southeast trending trough that extends through southeastern Arizona into Mexico. Covering 950 square miles, the DGB is roughly 15 miles wide and 35 miles long. The boundaries of the DGB include the Swisshelm (Figure 2), Pedregosa, and Perilla Mountains to the east, the Mule and Dragoon Mountains to the west, and a series of small ridges and buttes to * AguaPrieta the north (Figure 1). Although the Mexico DGB extends south hydrologically into Figure 1. Infrared satellite image of the Douglas Groundwater Basin (DGB) taken in June, 1993. Mexico, the international border serves Irrigated farmland is shown in bright red in the central parts of the basin, grasslands and mountain as the southern groundwater divide for areas appear in both blue and brown. The inset map shows the location of the DGB within Arizona. this report. The principal landowners in the DGB DGB's principal water-bearing unit and are private entities and the state of consists of valley basin-fill deposits. Arizona. Bisbee, Douglas, Elfrida, and The upper layer of these deposits McNeal are the major communities contains unconsolidated to poorly within the DGB. Bisbee and Douglas consolidated gravel, sand, and silt. formerly served as copper mining and These alluvial lenses are largely ore processing centers, respectively and intercoimected to form a single aquifer; currently are government, retail, and however, there are considerable spatial service centers. Elfrida and McNeal are differences in water transmissivity, agriculturally-oriented small towns storage, and hydraulic conductivity (3). located near the center of the basin. III. Hydrology "Study results suggest that most groundwater in the DGB is This study examined the water quality suitable for domestic purposes," Figure 2. The Swisshelm Mountains stand of two aquifers: the alluvial and the out across the DGB's broad alluvial valley. hardrock. The alluvial aquifer is the The hardrock aquifer is found in mountainous areas and includes significant expanses of sedimentary Site Exceedances rock with lesser amounts of volcanic, + Primary & Secondary MCL granitic, and metamorphic rock (Figure • Secondary MCL 3). Limited amounts of groundwater are contained in the hardrock aquifer, which O None is most productive in fractured sedimentary and granitic rock (3). Rocl< Types • Recent Alluvium Groundwater generally flows toward the • Sedimentary center of the valley and then south toward Mexico (3). The main drainage • Granitic is Whitewater Draw, an ephemeral • Volcanic watercourse that flows from the • Metamorphic Swisshelm Mountains through the center of the valley before exiting the basin near the city of Douglas. The majority of groundwater pumped in the DGB is used for irrigation; lesser amounts are withdrawn for municipal, domestic, stock, and mining purposes. The sustainable use of groundwater resources for irrigation has historically been a concern in the DGB. In response to annual pumping increases from 5,000 acre-feet (af) in 1938 to 110,000 af m 1964, the State designated most alluvial portions of the basm a Critical Groundwater Area (CGA) in 1965. This prohibited drilling of new irrigation wells within the CGA (2). The CGA evolved into an Irrigation Non-Expansion Area (INA) in 1980 A Agua Prieta with the passage of the Arizona Groundwater Management Act. The Figure 3. Locations of 51 sample sites, including 3 sites exceeding health-based water quality INA limited the acreage that could be standards and 16 sites exceeding aesthetics-based water quality guidelines, are shown in this map. irrigated. During the 1980s, pumping was reduced because of rising energy acquired through unpurities in filters cosmetic or laundry effects, but is not costs and by 1990, annual groundwater during sample processing. considered a health concern. Sixteen of pumpage was only 43,000 af (2). the 51 sites sampled had parameters V. Water Quality Sampling Results exceeding a Secondary MCL (Figure IV. Methods of Investigation 3). Exceedances included fluoride and The collected groundwater quality data total dissolved solids (TDS) (eight sites This study was conducted by ADEQ were compared with U.S. each), pH and sulfate (two sites each), Ambient Groundwater Monitoring staff. Environmental Protection Agency and chloride, iron, and manganese (one This program is based on the legislative (USEPA) Safe Drinking Water quality site each). mandate in Arizona Revised Statutes standards. Primary Maximum §49-225. To characterize regional Contaminant Levels (MCLs) are None of the 152 pesticides or related groundwater quality, 51 sites were enforceable, health-based water quality degradation products on the ADEQ Groundwater Protection List were sampled: 29 grid-based random sites standards that public systems must meet detected at the two sites sampled. One and 22 targeted sites. Samples were when supplying water to their site had a VOC detection of chloroform, collected at all sites for inorganic customers. Primary MCLs are based on a common byproduct of chlorination. constituents (physical characteristics, a lifetime daily consumption of two liters of water. Three of the 51 sites general mineral parameters, nutrients, sampled had parameter levels exceeding These results suggest that groundwater and trace elements). At selected sites, a Primary MCL: arsenic, beryllium, and in die DGB generally supports drinking- samples were also collected for Volatile nitrate each exceeded their respective water uses and seems largely suitable Organic Compounds (V0Cs)(12 sites). Primary MCLs at one site each (Figure for domestic purposes. Groundwater Protection List (GWPL) 3). pesticides (7 sites), and radiochemistry (6 sites) analysis. Sampling protocol USEPA Secondary MCLs are followed the ADEQ Quality Assurance ''Fluoride and TDS each exceeded unenforceable, aesthetics-based water Project Plan (QAPP). The effects of their respective aesthetics-based quality guidelines for public water sampling equipment and procedures on water quality guidelines at 16 systems. Water with parameters data results were not considered percent of the sample sites." exceeding guidelines may be unpleasant significant according to quality control to drink and/or create unwanted data, except for antimony contamination VI. Groundwater Composition control of fluoride through precipitation of the mineral fluorite. Since fluorite In general, the DGB has slightly, solubility is not often attained in alkaline, fresh groundwater. Sample groundwater, hydroxyl ion exchange is sites in both the hardrock and alluvial also an important fluoride control. The aquifers typically exhibited a calcium- exchange of fluoride and hydroxyl ions bicarbonate chemistry. In the alluvial typically increases downgradient as pH aquifer, sodium-bicarbonate, sodium- values rise. sulfate, and calcium-sulfate sites were also present. Groundwater was VII. Groundwater Quality Patterns predominantly moderately hard and Levels of bicarbonate, calcium, hard, though some sites had soft and hardness (Figure 5), magnesium, very hard water. Soft water was found sulfate, and turbidity were significantly in the extreme northeast and south- higher in the hardrock aquifer than the central basin areas. Very hard and hard alluvial aquifer. The opposite trend groundwater was found in hardrock occurred with temperature and pH 15 20 25 30 areas and in the center of the basin near (Kruskal-Wallis test, p < 0.05). Temperature (Celsius) the town of McNeal. Nitrate (as nitrogen) was found at 41 Figure 6. Temperature generally increases percent of sample sites at levels over 3 with increasing groundwater depth below milligrams per liter (mg/1), which may land surface (regression analysis, p< 0.01). indicate impacts from human activities. Areas widi the highest nitrate levels levels that were all, nonetiieless, below include the intensively-farmed areas the 10 mg/1 Primary MCL. near Elfrida and in the foothills of both the Dragoon and Mule Mountains. Mine tailings appear to be contributing to elevated groundwater sulfate levels Most trace elements such as aluminum, found along Mule Gulch, downgradient beryllium, cadmium, chromium, copper, of the town of Bisbee (Figure 7). iron, lead, manganese, mercury, Sulfides in these tailings are oxidized to selenium, silver, and thallium were yield sulfate that is soluble in water. A rarely detected. Arsenic, barium, site near where Mule Gulch enters the Alluvial Hardrock fluoride, and zinc were the only trace Aquifer alluvium of Sulphur Springs Valley had elements detected at more than ten a sulfate level of 1330 mg/1, exceeding Figure 5. Hardness levels are higher in percent of sites at levels above Arizona the
Recommended publications
  • Chiricahua Leopard Frog (Rana Chiricahuensis)
    U.S. Fish & Wildlife Service Chiricahua Leopard Frog (Rana chiricahuensis) Final Recovery Plan April 2007 CHIRICAHUA LEOPARD FROG (Rana chiricahuensis) RECOVERY PLAN Southwest Region U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service Albuquerque, New Mexico DISCLAIMER Recovery plans delineate reasonable actions that are believed to be required to recover and/or protect listed species. Plans are published by the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service, and are sometimes prepared with the assistance of recovery teams, contractors, state agencies, and others. Objectives will be attained and any necessary funds made available subject to budgetary and other constraints affecting the parties involved, as well as the need to address other priorities. Recovery plans do not necessarily represent the views nor the official positions or approval of any individuals or agencies involved in the plan formulation, other than the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service. They represent the official position of the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service only after they have been signed by the Regional Director, or Director, as approved. Approved recovery plans are subject to modification as dictated by new findings, changes in species status, and the completion of recovery tasks. Literature citation of this document should read as follows: U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service. 2007. Chiricahua Leopard Frog (Rana chiricahuensis) Recovery Plan. U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service, Southwest Region, Albuquerque, NM. 149 pp. + Appendices A-M. Additional copies may be obtained from: U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service Arizona Ecological Services Field Office Southwest Region 2321 West Royal Palm Road, Suite 103 500 Gold Avenue, S.W.
    [Show full text]
  • Section 9-Sierra Vista Subbasin of the Upper San Pedro Basin, Arizona
    Section 9.—Conceptual Understanding and Groundwater Quality of the Basin-Fill Aquifer in the Sierra Vista Subbasin of the Upper San Pedro Basin, Arizona By David W. Anning and James M. Leenhouts in Conceptual Understanding and Groundwater Quality of Selected Basin- Fill Aquifers in the Southwestern United States Edited by Susan A. Thiros, Laura M. Bexfield, David W. Anning, and Jena M. Huntington National Water-Quality Assessment Program Professional Paper 1781 U.S. Department of the Interior U.S. Geological Survey ii Contents Basin Overview .........................................................................................................................................145 Water Development History .....................................................................................................................147 Hydrogeology .............................................................................................................................................148 Conceptual Understanding of the Groundwater Flow System ...........................................................149 Water Budget ....................................................................................................................................149 Groundwater Movement .................................................................................................................152 Effects of Natural and Human Factors on Groundwater Quality ......................................................157 Summary......................................................................................................................................................160
    [Show full text]
  • The Depositional Environment and Petrographic Analysis of the Lower Cretaceous Morita Formation, Bisbee Group, Southeastern Arizona and Northern Sonora, Mexico
    The depositional environment and petrographic analysis of the Lower Cretaceous Morita Formation, Bisbee Group, southeastern Arizona and northern Sonora, Mexico Item Type text; Thesis-Reproduction (electronic); maps Authors Jamison, Kermit Publisher The University of Arizona. Rights Copyright © is held by the author. Digital access to this material is made possible by the University Libraries, University of Arizona. Further transmission, reproduction or presentation (such as public display or performance) of protected items is prohibited except with permission of the author. Download date 07/10/2021 12:34:21 Link to Item http://hdl.handle.net/10150/557979 THE DEPOSITIONAL ENVIRONMENT AND PETROGRAPHIC ANALYSIS OF THE LOWER CRETACEOUS MORITA FORMATION, BISBEE GROUP, SOUTHEASTERN ARIZONA AND NORTHERN SONORA, MEXICO by HERMIT JAMISON A Thesis Submitted to the Faculty of the DEPARTMENT OF GEOSCIENCES In Partial Fulfillment of the Requirements For the Degree of MASTER OF SCIENCE WITH A MAJOR IN GEOLOGY In the Graudate College THE UNIVERSITY OF ARIZONA 1 9 8 3 Call N o . BINDING INSTRUCTIONS INTERLIBRARY INSTRUCTIONS Dept. i *9 7 9 1 Author: J ttm ilO Il, K e 1983 548 Title: RUSH____________________ PERMABIND- PAMPHLET GIFT________________ _____ COLOR: M .S . POCKET FOR MAP COVERS Front Both Special Instructions - Bindery or Repair PFFFPFKirF 3 /2 2 /8 5 Other-----------------------------— . r- STATEMENT BY AUTHOR This thesis has been submitted in partial fulfill­ ment of requirements for an advanced degree at The University of Arizona and is deposited in the University Library to be made available to borrowers under rules of the Library. Brief quotations from this thesis are allowable without special permission, provided that accurate acknow­ ledgement of source is made.
    [Show full text]
  • State of the Coronado National Forest
    Douglas RANGER DISTRICT www.skyislandaction.org 3-1 State of the Coronado Forest DRAFT 11.05.08 DRAFT 11.05.08 State of the Coronado Forest 3-2 www.skyislandaction.org CHAPTER 3 Dragoon Ecosystem Management Area The Dragoon Mountains are located at the heart of development. Crossing Highway 80, one passes the Coronado National Forest. The Forest through another narrow strip of private land and encompasses 52,411 acres of the mountains in an area enters the BLM-managed San Pedro Riparian some 15 miles long by 6 miles wide. The Dragoon National Conservation Area. On the west side of the Ecosystem Management Area (EMA) is the smallest San Pedro River, the valley (mostly under private and on the Forest making it sensitive to activities state land jurisdiction) slopes up to the Whetstone happening both on the Forest and in lands Mountains, another Ecosystem Management Area of surrounding the Forest. Elevations range from the Coronado National Forest. approximately 4,700 feet to 7,519 feet at the summit of Due to the pattern of ecological damage and Mount Glenn. (See Figure 3.1 for an overview map of unmanaged visitor use in the Dragoons, we propose the Dragoon Ecosystem Management Area.) the area be divided into multiple management units ( The Dragoons are approximately sixty miles 3.2) with a strong focus on changing management in southeast of Tucson and thirty-five miles northeast of the Dragoon Westside Management Area (DWMA). Sierra Vista. Land adjacent to the western boundary of In order to limit overall impacts on the Westside, a the Management Area is privately owned and remains visitor permit system with a cap on daily visitor relatively remote and sparsely roaded compared to the numbers is recommended.
    [Show full text]
  • Availability of Additional Water for Chiricahua National Monument Cochise County, Arizona
    Availability of Additional Water for Chiricahua National Monument Cochise County, Arizona By PHILLIP W. JOHNSON HYDROLOGY OF THE PUBLIC DOMAIN GEOLOGICAL SURVEY WATER-SUPPLY PAPER 1475-H Prepared in cooperation with the National Park Service UNITED STATES GOVERNMENT PRINTING OFFICE, WASHINGTON : 1962 UNITED STATES DEPARTMENT OF THE INTERIOR STEWART L. UDALL, Secretary GEOLOGICAL SURVEY Thomas B. Nolan, Director For sale by the Superintendent of Documents, U.S. Government Printing Office Washington 25, D.C. CONTENTS Pagre Abstract________________________________________________________ 209 Introduction. _____________________________________________________ 209 Geology..._______________________________________________ 211 Water resources___________________________________________________ 211 Surface flow__________________________________________________ 212 Springs and seeps____________________________________________ 212 Wells,_____________________________________________________ 213 Conclusions and suggestions ________________________________________ 214 Impoundment of surface flow __________________________________ 214 Development of springs and seeps.______________________________ 214 Deep test well_______________________________________________ 215 Test drilling in the alluvium._ _________________________________ 215 Selected references.._______________________________________________ 216 ILLUSTRATIONS Pa&e PLATE 17. Map of Chiricahua National Monument showing geology, wells, springs, seeps, and culture.________________ In pocket FIGURE
    [Show full text]
  • Coronado National Forest Draft Land and Resource Management Plan I Contents
    United States Department of Agriculture Forest Service Coronado National Forest Southwestern Region Draft Land and Resource MB-R3-05-7 October 2013 Management Plan Cochise, Graham, Pima, Pinal, and Santa Cruz Counties, Arizona, and Hidalgo County, New Mexico The U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) prohibits discrimination in all its programs and activities on the basis of race, color, national origin, age, disability, and where applicable, sex, marital status, familial status, parental status, religion, sexual orientation, genetic information, political beliefs, reprisal, or because all or part of an individual’s income is derived from any public assistance program. (Not all prohibited bases apply to all programs.) Persons with disabilities who require alternative means for communication of program information (Braille, large print, audiotape, etc.) should contact USDA’s TARGET Center at (202) 720-2600 (voice and TTY). To file a complaint of discrimination, write to USDA, Director, Office of Civil Rights, 1400 Independence Avenue SW, Washington, DC 20250-9410, or call (800) 795-3272 (voice) or (202) 720-6382 (TTY). USDA is an equal opportunity provider and employer. Front cover photos (clockwise from upper left): Meadow Valley in the Huachuca Ecosystem Management Area; saguaros in the Galiuro Mountains; deer herd; aspen on Mt. Lemmon; Riggs Lake; Dragoon Mountains; Santa Rita Mountains “sky island”; San Rafael grasslands; historic building in Cave Creek Canyon; golden columbine flowers; and camping at Rose Canyon Campground. Printed on recycled paper • October 2013 Draft Land and Resource Management Plan Coronado National Forest Cochise, Graham, Pima, Pinal, and Santa Cruz Counties, Arizona Hidalgo County, New Mexico Responsible Official: Regional Forester Southwestern Region 333 Broadway Boulevard, SE Albuquerque, NM 87102 (505) 842-3292 For Information Contact: Forest Planner Coronado National Forest 300 West Congress, FB 42 Tucson, AZ 85701 (520) 388-8300 TTY 711 [email protected] Contents Chapter 1.
    [Show full text]
  • Dos Cabezas Mountains Proposed LWC Is Affected Primarily by the Forces of Nature and Appears Natural to the Average Visitor
    DOS CABEZAS MOUNTAINS LANDS WITH WILDERNESS CHARACTERISTICS PUBLIC LANDS CONTIGUOUS TO THE BLM’S DOS CABEZAS MOUNTAINS WILDERNESS IN THE NORTHERN CHIRICAHUA MOUNTAINS, ARIZONA A proposal report to the Bureau of Land Management, Safford Field Office, Arizona APRIL, 2016 Prepared by: Joseph M. Trudeau, Amber R. Fields, & Shannon Maitland Dos Cabezas Mountains Wilderness Contiguous Proposed LWC TABLE OF CONTENTS PREFACE: This Proposal was developed according to BLM Manual 6310 page 3 METHODS: The research approach to developing this citizens’ proposal page 5 Section 1: Overview of the Proposed Lands with Wilderness Characteristics Unit Introduction: Overview map showing unit location and boundaries page 8 • provides a brief description and labels for the units’ boundary Previous Wilderness Inventories: Map of former WSA’s or inventory unit’s page 9 • provides comparison between this and past wilderness inventories, and highlights new information Section 2: Documentation of Wilderness Characteristics The proposed LWC meets the minimum size criteria for roadless lands page 11 The proposed LWC is affected primarily by the forces of nature page 12 The proposed LWC provides outstanding opportunities for solitude and/or primitive and unconfined recreation page 16 A Sky Island Adventure: an essay and photographs by Steve Till page 20 MAP: Hiking Routes in the Dos Cabezas Mountains discussed in this report page 22 The proposed LWC has supplemental values that enhance the wilderness experience & deserve protection page 23 Conclusion: The proposed
    [Show full text]
  • Sky Island Grassland Assessment: Identifying and Evaluating Priority Grassland Landscapes for Conservation and Restoration in the Borderlands
    Sky Island Grassland Assessment: Identifying and Evaluating Priority Grassland Landscapes for Conservation and Restoration in the Borderlands David Gori, Gitanjali S. Bodner, Karla Sartor, Peter Warren and Steven Bassett September 2012 Animas Valley, New Mexico Photo: TNC Preferred Citation: Gori, D., G. S. Bodner, K. Sartor, P. Warren, and S. Bassett. 2012. Sky Island Grassland Assessment: Identifying and Evaluating Priority Grassland Landscapes for Conservation and Restoration in the Borderlands. Report prepared by The Nature Conservancy in New Mexico and Arizona. 85 p. i Executive Summary Sky Island grasslands of central and southern Arizona, southern New Mexico and northern Mexico form the “grassland seas” that surround small forested mountain ranges in the borderlands. Their unique biogeographical setting and the ecological gradients associated with “Sky Island mountains” add tremendous floral and faunal diversity to these grasslands and the region as a whole. Sky Island grasslands have undergone dramatic vegetation changes over the last 130 years including encroachment by shrubs, loss of perennial grass cover and spread of non-native species. Changes in grassland composition and structure have not occurred uniformly across the region and they are dynamic and ongoing. In 2009, The National Fish and Wildlife Foundation (NFWF) launched its Sky Island Grassland Initiative, a 10-year plan to protect and restore grasslands and embedded wetland and riparian habitats in the Sky Island region. The objective of this assessment is to identify a network of priority grassland landscapes where investment by the Foundation and others will yield the greatest returns in terms of restoring grassland health and recovering target wildlife species across the region.
    [Show full text]
  • Major Geologic Structures Between Lordsburg, New Mexico, and Tucson, Arizona Harald D
    New Mexico Geological Society Downloaded from: http://nmgs.nmt.edu/publications/guidebooks/29 Major geologic structures between Lordsburg, New Mexico, and Tucson, Arizona Harald D. Drewes and C. H. Thorman, 1978, pp. 291-295 in: Land of Cochise (Southeastern Arizona), Callender, J. F.; Wilt, J.; Clemons, R. E.; James, H. L.; [eds.], New Mexico Geological Society 29th Annual Fall Field Conference Guidebook, 348 p. This is one of many related papers that were included in the 1978 NMGS Fall Field Conference Guidebook. Annual NMGS Fall Field Conference Guidebooks Every fall since 1950, the New Mexico Geological Society (NMGS) has held an annual Fall Field Conference that explores some region of New Mexico (or surrounding states). Always well attended, these conferences provide a guidebook to participants. Besides detailed road logs, the guidebooks contain many well written, edited, and peer-reviewed geoscience papers. These books have set the national standard for geologic guidebooks and are an essential geologic reference for anyone working in or around New Mexico. Free Downloads NMGS has decided to make peer-reviewed papers from our Fall Field Conference guidebooks available for free download. Non-members will have access to guidebook papers two years after publication. Members have access to all papers. This is in keeping with our mission of promoting interest, research, and cooperation regarding geology in New Mexico. However, guidebook sales represent a significant proportion of our operating budget. Therefore, only research papers are available for download. Road logs, mini-papers, maps, stratigraphic charts, and other selected content are available only in the printed guidebooks. Copyright Information Publications of the New Mexico Geological Society, printed and electronic, are protected by the copyright laws of the United States.
    [Show full text]
  • Sulphur Spring Valley. Arizona
    DEPARTMENT OF THE INTERIOR UNITED STATES GEOLOGICAL SURVEY GEORGE OTIS SMITH, DIRECTOR WATER-SUPPLY PAPER 320 GEOLOGY AND WATER RESOURCES or SULPHUR SPRING VALLEY. ARIZONA BY O. E. MEINZER AND F. C. KELTON WITH A SECTION ON AGRICULTURE BY R. H. FORBES Prepared in cooperation with the Arizona Agricultural Experiment Station WASHINGTON GOVERNMENT PRINTING OFFICE 1913 CONTENTS. Page. Introduction, by O. E. Meinzer.............................................. 9 Geographic sketch...................................................... 9 Historical sketch...................................................... 11 Industrial development..................................... 1........... 15 Relation of the Indians to water supplies................................ 16 Relation of industrial development to water supplies..................... 18 Purpose and scope of the investigation................................... 19 Physiography and drainage, by 0. E. Meinzer..............................;. 20 General features........................................................ 20 Mountains............................................................. 21 Stream-built slopes..................................................... 23 Origin............................................................. 23 Shape and size..................................................... 24 Stream-built divides............................................... 25 Relation of axial watercourses to size of slopes........................ 26 Relation of alkali flat to size of slopes................................
    [Show full text]
  • Chiricahua National Monument Historic Designed Landscape Historic Name
    NPS Form 10-900 OMB No. 1024-0018 (Oct. 1990) United States Department of the Interior National Park Service National Register of Historic Places Registration Form This form is for use in nominating or requesting determinations for individual properties and districts. See instructions in How to Complete the National Register of Historic Places Registration Form (National Register Bulletin 16A). Complete each item by marking "x" in the appropriate box or by entering the information requested. If an item does not apply to the property being nominated, enter "N/A" for "not applicable." For functions, architectural classification, materials, and areas of significance, enter only categories and subcategories from the instructions. Place additional entries and narrative items on continuation sheets (NPS Form 10-900a). Use a typewriter, word processor, or computer, to complete all items. 1. Name of Property Chiricahua National Monument Historic Designed Landscape historic name other name/site number Wonderland of Rocks; Rhyolite Park; The Pinnacles; Say Yahdesut “Point of Rocks” 2. Location street & number: Chiricahua National Monument (CHIR) 12856 E. Rhyolite Canyon Road _____not for publication city/town: Willcox___________________________________________________________ _X_ vicinity state: Arizona_____ code: AZ __________ county: Cochise_________ code: 003_____ zip code: 85643___ 3. State/Federal Agency Certification As the designated authority under the National Historic Preservation Act, as amended, I hereby certify that this ¨ nomination ¨ request for determination of eligibility meets the documentation standards for registering properties in the National Register of Historic Places an meets the procedural and professional requirements set forth in 36 CFR Part 60. In my opinion, the property ¨ meets ¨ does not meet the National Register criteria.
    [Show full text]
  • You Can Learn More About the Chiricahuas
    Douglas RANGER DISTRICT www.skyislandaction.org 2-1 State of the Coronado Forest DRAFT 11.05.08 DRAFT 11.05.08 State of the Coronado Forest 2-2 www.skyislandaction.org CHAPTER 2 Chiricahua Ecosystem Management Area The Chiricahua Mountain Range, located in the Natural History southeastern corner of the Coronado National Forest, The Chiricahua Mountains are known for their is one of the largest Sky Islands in the U.S. portion of amazing variety of terrestrial plants, animals, and the Sky Island region. The range is approximately 40 invertebrates. They contain exceptional examples of miles long by 20 miles wide with elevations ranging ecosystems that are rare in southern Arizona. While from 4,400 to 9,759 feet at the summit of Chiricahua the range covers only 0.5% of the total land area in Peak. The Chiricahua Ecosystem Management Area Arizona, it contains 30% of plant species found in (EMA) is the largest Management Area on the Forest Arizona, and almost 50% of all bird species that encompassing 291,492 acres of the Chiricahua and regularly occur in the United States.1 The Chiricahuas Pedragosa Mountains. form part of a chain of mountains spanning from Protected by remoteness, the Chiricahuas remain central Mexico into southern Arizona. Because of one of the less visited ranges on the Coronado their proximity to the Sierra Madre, they support a National Forest. Formerly surrounded only by great diversity of wildlife found nowhere else in the ranches, the effects of Arizona’s explosive 21st century United States such as the Mexican Chickadee, whose population growth are beginning to reach the flanks only known breeding locations in the country are in of the Chiricahuas.
    [Show full text]