DOCSLIB.ORG

A Long-Term Analysis of Fish Species Proportions in Sonoita Creek, Arizona

Total Page：16

File Type：pdf, Size：1020Kb

Download full-text PDF Read full-text
A Long-Term Analysis of Fish Species Proportions in Sonoita Creek, Arizona A LONG-TERM ANALYSIS OF FISH SPECIES PROPORTIONS IN SONOITA CREEK, ARIZONA Item Type text; Electronic Thesis Authors Wolsiffer, Sarah Kathleen 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 28/09/2021 04:52:54 Item License http://rightsstatements.org/vocab/InC/1.0/ Link to Item http://hdl.handle.net/10150/630269 A LONG-TERM ANALYSIS OF FISH SPECIES PROPORTIONS IN SONOITA CREEK, ARIZONA By SARAH KATHLEEN WOLSIFFER ____________________ A Thesis Submitted to the Honors College In Partial Fulfillment of the Bachelors Degree With Honors in Natural Resources THE UNIVERSITY OF ARIZONA M A Y 2 0 1 8 Approved by: ______________________________________ Dr. Peter Reinthal Department of Ecology and Evolutionary Biology Abstract Desert streams are unique and fragile ecosystems that are extremely sensitive to system changes. Dams and diversions, introduction of exotic species, global warming, and pollutant runoff from cities and mines are all anthropogenic changes to stream behavior that have resulted in low flow, increased competition, increased temperature, and higher concentration of pollutants. Sonoita Creek, Arizona has experienced all of these stressors and we examined if the native and exotic fish species composition has shifted and the potential roll of these stressors. This paper follows a 36-year (1991-2017) meta-analysis of the proportions of three primary native fish species found in Sonoita Creek; desert sucker, Pantosteus clarki, longfin dace, Agosia chrysogaster,and speckled dace, Rhinichthyes osculus, In the beginning of these surveys in 1991, longfin dace was highly dominant in the creek but decreased over time, likely due to a change in discharge. This analysis shows us that there is a definitive change in species composition. While the trend does provide insight into the stream status, further studies need to be done to determine what surrounding covariates are affecting these changes the most. Introduction Sonoita Creek is a perennial stream located in the Santa Cruz River watershed, Santa Cruz County, Arizona. Its headwaters are fed by groundwater from the Santa Rita Mountains and surface flow is supported by both ground water and treated municipal wastewater discharge. (Minckley 1968). Perennial flow originates just southwest of the city of Patagonia, continues approximately 6.5 miles to Patagonia Lake. It is shallow water and multiple environmental pressures make it a fragile, but important, ecosystem. There are currently four native fish in the creek; desert sucker, Pantosteus clarkia, longfin dace, Agosia chrysogaster, speckled dace, Rhinichthyes osculus, and Gila topminnow, 2 Poeciliopsis occidentalis (endangered). Three additional species, Sonora sucker, Catastomus insignis, Desert pupfish, Cyprinodon macularis, and Yaqui catfish, Ictalurus pricei, have also been recorded in the drainage. There are also seven invasive species present in the system including the yellow bullhead, Ameiurus natalis, largemouth bass, Micropterus salmoides, mosquitofish, Gambusia affinis, and the red shiner, Cyprinella lutrensis (Minckley 1968). Green sunfish, bluegills, and flathead catfish have all been introduced to Patagonia Lake and been known to escape into Sonoita creek from time to time. Little information is available in regard to the other components of the aquatic communities in Sonoita Creek. There are few aquatic plants in the stream as the river bottom is sandy and unstable. There are, however, groups of algae (Cladophora and Hydrodicyton), watercress sedges (Rorippa nasturtium-aquaticum), and spikesedge (Eleocharis radicans) that form along the banks. Invertebrates are equally understudied but an exhaustive sample made in 1968 showed that the most common invertebrates are “snails (Physa), damselfly larvae (Odonata), case- building caddisflies (Odontoceridae), belostomatids, and surface-dwelling bugs such as, gerrids, veliids, and microveliids, springtails (Collembola), and gyrinid beetles” (Minckley 1968). The overstory consists mainly of cottonwoods and willows. Water quality has varied greatly from year to year. In addition to the stressors of invasive species, Sonoita Creek experiences contaminant issues brought on by the Legacy Mines in the Patagonia Mountains (USDA 2016). One of the two mines was abandoned and the other was remediated in 1970 but continues to secrete an “orange sludge” into the surrounding streams (Gray 2017). Although the mining activities are confined to a relatively small area, their impacts are massive. Acid mine drainage and erosion of tailing deposits release dangerous chemicals and 3 metals, in essence toxins and poisons, into the surrounding environment (Swart 2013). The damage is variable from site to site, but aquatic systems are reported to be especially vulnerable (Salomons 1995). Discharge from the mine into nearby streams results in a series of bioaccumulation, where an animal is continually absorbing more contaminants into their system, and biomagnification, where predators receive a more concentrated dose of toxins from consuming their already affected prey. Both of these factors result in minimized reproductive success, increased illness, and eventually death (Chapman 1983). Copper and zinc, even in low concentrations are extremely toxic to fish. There have been cases where heavy metal contamination wiped out entire river ecosystems as seen in Pinal and Mineral Creek. In desert river ecosystems change in the chemical quality of the water is especially detrimental because the rivers are usually intermittent (Lewis & Burraychak 1979). Other Anthropogenic impacts on Sonoita Creek include the construction of Patagonia Lake. A dam was created in 1968 across Sonoita Creek to create what is now known as Patagonia Lake, located about 10 miles south of the town of Patagonia (Kupel 1995). This dam changed the natural course of the river and the stocking of sportfish into the lake introduced nonnatives into the system. According to Patagonia Lake State Park, large mouth bass, flathead catfish, channel catfish, crappie, bluegill, red ear and green ear sunfish are the current stock species of Patagonia Lake. Unfortunately these species can migrate upstream and live in the natural creek. Competition for the limited resources in this desert stream grew with the introduction of nonnatives, who were both competitors with and predators of native fishes. Treated effluent is also added from the Patagonia sewage treatment plant into one portion of Sonoita Creek, which has an impact on water quality. Each of the 46 testing sites along the creek 4 had at least one toxic element that either equaled or exceeded the concentration allowed to adhere to the Drinking Water Standard. Cadmium (Cd) was in 30 of these sites, Copper (Cu) was in 21 of the them, Lead (Pb) in 14, Arsenic (As) in 12, and Flouride (F) in eight (ADWR 2000). Since the founding of Patagonia in 1896, Sonoita Creek has experienced vast changes in physical and organism composition (Kupel 1995). As the population around the stream increases, heavier impacts is made. Impacts such as lower water quality, higher abundance of invasive fish species, changes in river discharge and sinuosity, all affect the native fish populations. The purpose of this paper is to analyze long-term (26 years 1991-2017) trends of fish populations in Sonoita Creek. Comparing long-term data sets will help us see how populations are responding to these impacts on an ecological timescale. This 26-year data analysis will create a timeline of cause and effect and provide a projection for future populations based on upcoming changes. Methods 1991-1999: Fish surveys were taken along Sonoita Creek at 4-8 predetermined sites depending on the year; 1991-1994 had four sites, 1995 had five sites, 1996 had eight sites, and 1997-2000 had seven sites. Each site length varied from 10-60m and was divided up into approximately 10m sections with a specific habitat type (either a run, riffle or pool). Each section was then seined until depletion which was anywhere from 1-13 passes. Because the data was unevenly collected, we cannot make direct comparisons in population estimates with current data. We can, however, compare relative species porportions. 2000-2002: Fish surveys were taken along Sonoita Creek at four predetermined sites. Site 1 is located just 400 m upstream of Patagonia Lake. Site 2 is located at Circle Z Ranch where grazing and 5 other human modifications take place. Site 3 is a road crossing where the Patagonia-Sonoita Creek Preserve, run by the TNC, meets Circle Z Ranch. Site 4 is located on the TNC property perpendicular to their parking lot. In 2000, sites 1-4 were surveyed in June and September. In 2001, sites 1-4 were surveyed in February/March, July, and November/December. In 2002, sites 1-4 were surveyed in August. Each site was separated into two 100m sections. Each section went through a three-pass capture and removal depletion sampling using an electroshocking backpack with similar Catch per Unit effort per pass. Each fish caught was categorized by species and size. Using Zippin’s Total Removal Estimate method we estimated population abundances. Fish surveys were taken along Sonoita Creek at Sites 1 and 4 in 2017 using the same methodology as the previous
Load more

Recommended publications
  • Arizona TIM PALMER FLICKR
    Arizona TIM PALMER FLICKR Colorado River at Mile 50. Cover: Salt River. Letter from the President ivers are the great treasury of noted scientists and other experts reviewed the survey design, and biological diversity in the western state-specific experts reviewed the results for each state. RUnited States. As evidence mounts The result is a state-by-state list of more than 250 of the West’s that climate is changing even faster than we outstanding streams, some protected, some still vulnerable. The feared, it becomes essential that we create Great Rivers of the West is a new type of inventory to serve the sanctuaries on our best, most natural rivers modern needs of river conservation—a list that Western Rivers that will harbor viable populations of at-risk Conservancy can use to strategically inform its work. species—not only charismatic species like salmon, but a broad range of aquatic and This is one of 11 state chapters in the report. Also available are a terrestrial species. summary of the entire report, as well as the full report text. That is what we do at Western Rivers Conservancy. We buy land With the right tools in hand, Western Rivers Conservancy is to create sanctuaries along the most outstanding rivers in the West seizing once-in-a-lifetime opportunities to acquire and protect – places where fish, wildlife and people can flourish. precious streamside lands on some of America’s finest rivers. With a talented team in place, combining more than 150 years This is a time when investment in conservation can yield huge of land acquisition experience and offices in Oregon, Colorado, dividends for the future.
    [Show full text]
  • Environmental Flows and Water Demands in Arizona
    Environmental Flows and Water A University of Arizona Water Resources Research Center Project Demands in Arizona ater is an increasingly scarce resource and is essential for Arizona’s future. Figure 1. Elements of Environmental Flow WWith Arizona’s population growth and Occurring in Seasonal Hydrographs continued drought, citizens and water managers have been taking a closer look at water supplies in the state. Municipal, industrial, and agricul- tural water users are well-represented demand sectors, but water supplies and management to benefit the environment are not often consid- ered. This bulletin explains environmental water demands in Arizona and introduces information essential for considering environmental water demands in water management discussions. Considering water for the environment is impor- tant because humans have an interconnected and interdependent relationship with the envi- ronment. Nature provides us recreation oppor- tunities, economic benefits, and water supplies Data Source: to sustain our communities. USGS stream gage data Figure 2: Human Demand and Current Flow in Arizona Environmental water demands (or environmental flow) (circle size indicates relative amount of water) refers to how much water is needed in a watercourse to sustain a healthy ecosystem. Defining environmental water demand goes beyond the ecology and hydrol- Maximum ogy of a system and should include consideration for Flows how much water is required to achieve an agreed Industrial 40.8 maf Industrial SW Municipal upon level of river health, as determined by the GW 1% GW 8% water-using community. Arizona’s native ani- 4% mals and plants depend upon dynamic flows commonly described according to the natural Municipal SW flow regime.
    [Show full text]
  • June 2021 Arizona Office of Tourism Monthly State Parks Visitation Report
    June 2021 Arizona Office of Tourism Monthly State Parks Visitation Report Arizona State Park Visitation June June 2021 2020 YTD State Park % Chg 2021 2020 YTD YTD % Chg Alamo Lake SP 1,237 1,924 -35.7% 48,720 46,871 3.9% Buckskin Mountain SP 11,092 9,292 19.4% 49,439 45,627 8.4% Catalina SP 6,598 2,420 172.6% 154,763 156,234 -0.9% Cattail Cove SP 10,138 14,908 -32.0% 52,221 67,256 -22.4% Colorado River SHP 167 57 193.0% 2,589 6,220 -58.4% Dead Horse Ranch SP 17,142 18,748 -8.6% 126,799 120,044 5.6% Fool Hollow Lake RA 16,380 25,104 -34.8% 55,360 63,341 -12.6% Fort Verde SHP 706 521 35.5% 4,672 2,654 76.0% Granite Mountain Hotshots MSP 1,076 1,380 -22.0% 11,778 14,874 -20.8% Homolovi SP 4,032 1,982 103.4% 22,007 11,470 91.9% Jerome SHP 4,099 1,991 105.9% 21,789 14,109 54.4% Kartchner Caverns SP 7,776 2,045 280.2% 44,020 57,663 -23.7% Lake Havasu SP 66,040 74,493 -11.3% 241,845 337,920 -28.4% Lost Dutchman SP 4,198 3,651 15.0% 122,844 132,399 -7.2% Lyman Lake SP 11,169 10,625 5.1% 30,755 38,074 -19.2% McFarland SHP 166 0 1,213 2,942 -58.8% Oracle SP 270 486 -44.4% 6,994 9,191 -23.9% Patagonia Lake SP 25,058 30,706 -18.4% 118,311 126,873 -6.7% Picacho Peak SP 1,893 1,953 -3.1% 64,084 68,800 -6.9% Red Rock SP 12,963 6,118 111.9% 56,356 33,228 69.6% Riordan Mansion SHP 777 0 2,188 2,478 -11.7% River Island SP 2,623 3,004 -12.7% 18,089 19,411 -6.8% Roper Lake SP 8,049 12,394 -35.1% 52,924 49,738 6.4% Slide Rock SP 54,922 33,491 64.0% 231,551 110,781 109.0% Tombstone Courthouse SHP 2,875 1,465 96.2% 18,261 16,394 11.4% Tonto Natural Bridge SP 8,146 7,161 13.8% 54,950 36,557 50.3% Tubac Presidio SHP 261 117 123.1% 4,240 2,923 45.1% Yuma Territorial Prison SHP 2,206 1,061 107.9% 28,672 26,505 8.2% Total All Parks 282,059 267,097 5.6% 1,647,434 1,620,577 1.7% Note: Dankworth Pond SP data is included in Roper Lake SP, Sonoita Creek SNA is included in Patagonia Lake SP and Verde River Greenway SNA is included in Dead Horse Ranch SP.
    [Show full text]
  • The Arizona Nature Conservancy Conservancy 300 East University Boulevard, Suite 230, Tucson, Arizona 85705 (602) 622-3861
    The Nature The Arizona Nature Conservancy conservancy 300 East University Boulevard, Suite 230, Tucson, Arizona 85705 (602) 622-3861 Memorandum To: Dan Campbell From: Peter Warren Re: Arizona native fishes Date: 26 August 1987 Here is some general information about the status oi native fish in Arizona and the Arizona Nature Conservancy's role in protecting threatened native fish. The pre-settlement fish fauna of Arizona consisted of 31 species of freshwater fish. Through introduction of exotic species, the number of resident fish in Arizona is now over 100 species. Many of the exotic species are either predatory upon or in competition with native species. A combination of introduced exotic species and loss of perennial stream habitat has sharply reduced the number and size of native fish populations. Of the 31 original native fish, one is extinct and four are extirpated in Arizona. Approximately half of the remaining native fish are currently listed or proposed for listing as Threatened or Endangered. Although recovery measures are being undertaken, the future of several of the endangered fish is by no means secure. For example, Woundfin survives only in a small part of the Virgin River and its small population could be easily destroyed. Major losses of native fish populations continue to occur. We have Just learned that all of the Mexican populations of Desert Pupfish in the Colorado River delta were apparently destroyed during the last three years due to introduction of Tilapia into the populations by floodwaters of 1983. The single most important factor in protecting the remaining native fish populations is preservation of habitat and insuring stable stream flows.
    [Show full text]
  • Native Fish Restoration in Redrock Canyon
    U.S. Department of the Interior Bureau of Reclamation Final Environmental Assessment Phoenix Area Office NATIVE FISH RESTORATION IN REDROCK CANYON U.S. Department of Agriculture Forest Service Southwestern Region Coronado National Forest Santa Cruz County, Arizona June 2008 Bureau of Reclamation Finding of No Significant Impact U.S. Forest Service Finding of No Significant Impact Decision Notice INTRODUCTION In accordance with the National Environmental Policy Act of 1969 (Public Law 91-190, as amended), the Bureau of Reclamation (Reclamation), as the lead Federal agency, and the Forest Service, U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service (FWS), and Arizona Game and Fish Department (AGFD), as cooperating agencies, have issued the attached final environmental assessment (EA) to disclose the potential environmental impacts resulting from construction of a fish barrier, removal of nonnative fishes with the piscicide antimycin A and/or rotenone, and restoration of native fishes and amphibians in Redrock Canyon on the Coronado National Forest (CNF). The Proposed Action is intended to improve the recovery status of federally listed fish and amphibians (Gila chub, Gila topminnow, Chiricahua leopard frog, and Sonora tiger salamander) and maintain a healthy native fishery in Redrock Canyon consistent with the CNF Plan and ongoing Endangered Species Act (ESA), Section 7(a)(2), consultation between Reclamation and the FWS. BACKGROUND The Proposed Action is part of a larger program being implemented by Reclamation to construct a series of fish barriers within the Gila River Basin to prevent the invasion of nonnative fishes into high-priority streams occupied by imperiled native fishes. This program is mandated by a FWS biological opinion on impacts of Central Arizona Project (CAP) water transfers to the Gila River Basin (FWS 2008a).
    [Show full text]
  • Appendix a Assessment Units
    APPENDIX A ASSESSMENT UNITS SURFACE WATER REACH DESCRIPTION REACH/LAKE NUM WATERSHED Agua Fria River 341853.9 / 1120358.6 - 341804.8 / 15070102-023 Middle Gila 1120319.2 Agua Fria River State Route 169 - Yarber Wash 15070102-031B Middle Gila Alamo 15030204-0040A Bill Williams Alum Gulch Headwaters - 312820/1104351 15050301-561A Santa Cruz Alum Gulch 312820 / 1104351 - 312917 / 1104425 15050301-561B Santa Cruz Alum Gulch 312917 / 1104425 - Sonoita Creek 15050301-561C Santa Cruz Alvord Park Lake 15060106B-0050 Middle Gila American Gulch Headwaters - No. Gila Co. WWTP 15060203-448A Verde River American Gulch No. Gila County WWTP - East Verde River 15060203-448B Verde River Apache Lake 15060106A-0070 Salt River Aravaipa Creek Aravaipa Cyn Wilderness - San Pedro River 15050203-004C San Pedro Aravaipa Creek Stowe Gulch - end Aravaipa C 15050203-004B San Pedro Arivaca Cienega 15050304-0001 Santa Cruz Arivaca Creek Headwaters - Puertocito/Alta Wash 15050304-008 Santa Cruz Arivaca Lake 15050304-0080 Santa Cruz Arnett Creek Headwaters - Queen Creek 15050100-1818 Middle Gila Arrastra Creek Headwaters - Turkey Creek 15070102-848 Middle Gila Ashurst Lake 15020015-0090 Little Colorado Aspen Creek Headwaters - Granite Creek 15060202-769 Verde River Babbit Spring Wash Headwaters - Upper Lake Mary 15020015-210 Little Colorado Babocomari River Banning Creek - San Pedro River 15050202-004 San Pedro Bannon Creek Headwaters - Granite Creek 15060202-774 Verde River Barbershop Canyon Creek Headwaters - East Clear Creek 15020008-537 Little Colorado Bartlett Lake 15060203-0110 Verde River Bear Canyon Lake 15020008-0130 Little Colorado Bear Creek Headwaters - Turkey Creek 15070102-046 Middle Gila Bear Wallow Creek N. and S. Forks Bear Wallow - Indian Res.
    [Show full text]
  • United States Department of the Interior U.S
    United States Department of the Interior U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service 2321 West Royal Palm Road, Suite 103 Phoenix, Arizona 85021-4951 Telephone: (602) 242-0210 FAX: (602) 242-2513 In Reply Refer To: AESO/SE 22410-2007-F-0197-R001 April 23, 2012 Mr. M. Earl Stewart Forest Supervisor Coconino National Forest 1824 South Thompson Street Flagstaff, Arizona 86001-2529 RE: Revised Biological Opinion for the Chiricahua leopard frog on the Fossil Creek Range Allotment Dear Mr. Stewart: Thank you for your request to reinitiate formal consultation with the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service (FWS) pursuant to section 7 of the Endangered Species Act of 1973 (16 U.S.C. 1531- 1544), as amended (ESA or Act). Your request was dated February 9, 2012, and received by us on February 13, 2012. This consultation concerns the possible effects of livestock grazing and management activities on the Fossil Creek Range Allotment (FCRA) located on the Red Rock Ranger District in Yavapai County, Arizona. The Forest Service has determined that the proposed action may affect the threatened Chiricahua leopard frog (Lithobates {=Rana} chiricahuensis) and its designated critical habitat. In January 2012, the U.S. District Court of Arizona (No. CV 10-330 TUC AWT) found that our February 26, 2010, Final Biological Opinion on the Fossil Creek Allotment Plan (USFWS 2010, consultation number 22410-2007-F-0197) and accompanying incidental take statement did not satisfy the requirements of the ESA in analyzing effects on the Chiricahua leopard frog. The other species’ effects analyses and determinations, as described in the 2010 biological opinion, continue to be valid and we are not revisiting those determinations in this document.
    [Show full text]
  • Best of Arizona 2012 Williams •Bear Wallow Caf Plus: Escape • Explore •Experience •Explore Escape
    CRUISING AZ BEST OF ARIZONA 2012 in a 1929 Ford AUGUST 2012 ESCAPE • EXPLORE • EXPERIENCE Things — CARL PERKINS to Do Before 31 You Die “If it weren’t for weren’t the rocks it “If in its bed, no song.” the stream have would PLUS: HOPI CHIPMUNKS • THE GRAND CANYON • JIM HARRISON • INDIAN ROAD 8 WILLIAMS • BEAR WALLOW CAFÉ • DUTCH TILTS • ASPENS • STRAWBERRY SCHOOL CONTENTS 08.12 Grand Canyon National Park Third Mesa 2 EDITOR’S LETTER > 3 CONTRIBUTORS > 4 LETTERS TO THE EDITOR > 56 WHERE IS THIS? Supai Parks Williams Oak Creek 5 THE JOURNAL 46 THE MAN IN THE CREEK Strawberry Alpine People, places and things from around the state, including Jim Harrison likes water. Actually, he loves water. Ironically, Cave Creek Hank Delaney, the most unique mail carrier in the world; he doesn’t find a lot of it in Patagonia. What he does find is Point of Pines the Bear Wallow Café, a perfect place for pie in the White inspiration for his novels. He also finds camaraderie in some PHOENIX Mountains; and Williams, our hometown of the month. of the characters who live in his neck of the woods. BY KELLY KRAMER Patagonia 18 31 THINGS TO DO BEFORE PHOTOGRAPHS BY SCOTT BAXTER YOU KICK THE BUCKET 52 SCENIC DRIVE • POINTS OF INTEREST IN THIS ISSUE Everyone needs to see the Grand Canyon before he dies, Point of Pines Road: Elk, pronghorns, bighorns, black bears, but it’s not enough to just see it. It needs to be experi- meadows, mountains, trees, eagles, herons, ospreys ..
    [Show full text]
  • Santa Cruz County Before the Arizona Navigable
    SANTA CRUZ COUNTY ... BEFORE THE ARIZONA NAVIGABLE STREAM ADJUDICATION COMMISSION IN THE MA ITER OF THE NAVIGABILITY OF SMALL AND MINOR WATERCOURSES IN SANTA No.: 03-001-NA V CRUZ COUNTY, ARIZONA, EXCLUDING THE SANTA CRUZ RIVER REPORT, FINDINGS AND DETERMINATION REGARDING THE NAVIGABILITY OF SMALL AND MINOR WATERCOURSES IN SANTA CRUZ COUNTY, ARIZONA Spanish travelers or settlers in Santa Cruz County until 1691 when a Jesuit missionary, Father Eusebio Francisco Kino carne to the valley to establish missions and convert indigenous populations to Christianity. The impact Father Kino had on Santa Cruz County, either directly or indirectly, cannot be underestimated. The first large settlement of the area was the Jesuit mission of Santa Maria Soarnca, later known as Santa Cruz. which was located south of the border in Mexico. Father Kino used the Santa Cruz valley extensively as a travel route into the northern portion of Pirneria Alta. His missionary efforts in the twenty years between 1691 and his death in 1711 led to the establishment of three missions along the Santa Cruz River, including Tumacacori just north of Nogales. Other smaller mission posts and visitas were established at Tubac and north of Santa Cruz County at San Xavier del Bac and San Augustine de Tucson. The greatest impact Kino and subsequent missionaries had in Santa Cruz County, and especially the Santa Cruz valley, was the introduction of new technologies in crops and domestic animals. This led to an expansion of farming by the Pima Indians and Spanish settlers. The missions' crops relied on irrigation primarily from the Santa Cruz River, although Sonoita Creek was also used where surface waters flowed through canals, some of which may have been originally dug by the Hohokarn.
    [Show full text]
  • FACT SHEET Ambient Groundwater Quality of the Cienega Creek Basin: a 2000-2001 Baseline Study – November 2012
    FACT SHEET Ambient Groundwater Quality of the Cienega Creek Basin: A 2000-2001 Baseline Study – November 2012 INTRODUCTION A baseline groundwater quality study of the Cienega Creek basin was conducted in 2000-2001 by the Arizona Department of Environmental Quality (ADEQ) Ambient Groundwater Monitoring Program. ADEQ conducted this monitoring pursuant to Arizona Revised Statutes §49-225 that mandates ongoing monitoring of waters of the state including its aquifers. The fact sheet is a synopsis of the ADEQ Open File Report 12-02.1 The Cienega Creek groundwater basin includes approximately 606 square miles in southeastern Arizona within Cochise, Pima, and Santa Cruz counties (Map 1).2 The Cienega Creek basin is a narrow, northwest-trending alluvial valley surrounded by fault-block mountains with- in the basin and range physiographic province. The basin is bounded on the west by the Santa Rita and Empire Mountains, on the north by the Rincon Mountains, on the east by the Whetstone and Mustang Mountains, and on the south by the Canelo Hills and Patagonia Mountains. In 2000, the basin had a population of 4,355 which includes the town of Patagonia and the community of Sonoita.2 The basin predominantly consists of federal land (53 percent) including the Coronado National Forest managed by the Forest Service (41 percent) and the Las Cienegas National Conservation Area administered by the Bureau of Land Management (12 percent). State Trust Figure 1 - Windmills are a popular method of pumping ground- lands (24 percent) and private holdings (23 percent) water in the Cienega Creek basin. This well is located near the constitute the remainder of the basin.2 town of Sonoita in grasslands made verdant by monsoon precipitation.
    [Show full text]
  • Amphibians and Reptiles of Sonoita Creek State Natural Area, Arizona
    AMPHIBIANS AND REPTILES OF SONOITA CREEK STATE NATURAL AREA, ARIZONA Black-necked gartersnake, Coal Mine Canyon. December 2006 Dale S. Turner [email protected] 315 E. Elm Street Tucson, AZ 85705 1 Sonoita Creek SNA Herpetological Inventory ABSTRACT I surveyed the amphibians and reptiles of Sonoita Creek State Natural Area in southern Arizona, using extensive walking searches, trap arrays, and review of previous records. 36 species were found within the natural area boundary, adjacent Patagonia Lake State Park, and the surrounding mile. Previous work had documented 12 species in the area. This report documents the occurrence of 9 anuran, 2 turtle, 9 lizard, and 16 snake species. INTRODUCTION Sonoita Creek State Natural Area of southern Arizona lies in the “sky island” archipelago of southwestern North America, which is known for its rich biodiversity. Mountain ranges in the region contain unique biotic assemblages, with distributional edges, gaps, and outliers that lead to a variety of fascinating biogeographic questions (McLaughlin 1995; Warshall 1995). The valleys provide corridors between montane populations and allow extensions of distribution for lower-elevation species. Lowlands are generally the best-watered, most productive parts of the landscape, and have also been the most heavily affected by human use, both globally and locally. The Sonoita Creek valley has been haphazardly visited by herpetologists for decades, but most collecting has been done along the main road, Highway 82, due to constraints of access to private property. This inventory was a volunteer effort. The goals were to provide qualitative information about the herpetofauna of Sonoita Creek State Natural Area, particularly species presence, but also to provide information on species distribution and abundance.
    [Show full text]
  • Appendix a Assessment Units
    APPENDIX A ASSESSMENT UNITS SURFACE WATER REACH DESCRIPTION REACH/LAKE NUM WATERSHED A Ackers East Headwaters - Ackers West 15060202-3313 Verde River Ackers West Headwaters - Granite Creek 15060202-3333 Verde River Agua Fria River Sycamore Creek - Bishop Creek 15070102-023 Middle Gila Agua Fria River State Route 169 - Yarber Wash 15070102-031B Middle Gila Alamo Lake 15030204-0040A Bill Williams Alder Creek Headwaters - Verde River 15060203-910 Verde River Alum Gulch Headwaters - 312820 / 1104351 15050301-561A Santa Cruz Alum Gulch 312820 / 1104351 - 312917 / 1104425 15050301-561B Santa Cruz Alum Gulch 312917 / 1104425 - Sonoita Creek 15050301-561C Santa Cruz Alvord Park Lake 15060106B-0050 Middle Gila American Gulch Headwaters - No. Gila Co. WWTP 15060203-448A Verde River American Gulch No. Gila County WWTP - East Verde River 15060203-448B Verde River Arnett Creek Headwaters - Queen Creek 15050100-1818 Middle Gila Apache Lake 15060106A-0070 Salt River Aravaipa Creek Aravaipa Cyn Wilderness - San Pedro River 15050203-004C San Pedro Aravaipa Creek Stowe Gulch - Aravaipa Wild. Bndry 15050203-004B San Pedro Arivaca Lake 15050304-0080 Santa Cruz Arizona Canal (15070102) HUC boundary 15070102 - Gila River 15070102-202 Middle Gila Aspen Creek Headwaters - Granite Creek 15060202-769 Verde River B Bannon Creek Headwaters - Granite Creek 15060202-774 Verde River Barbershop Canyon Creek Headwaters - East Clear Creek 15020008-537 Little Colorado Bartlett Lake 15060203-0110 Verde River Bass Canyon Tributary at 322606 / 110131 15050203-899B San Pedro
    [Show full text]