DOCSLIB.ORG

Initial Assessment of Water Resources in Cobre Valley, Arizona

Total Page：16

File Type：pdf, Size：1020Kb

Download full-text PDF Read full-text
Initial Assessment of Water Resources in Cobre Valley, Arizona Initial Assessment of Water Resources in Cobre Valley, Arizona Introduction 2 Overview of Cobre Valley 3 CLIMATE 3 TOPOGRAPHY 3 GROUNDWATER 3 SURFACE WATER 4 POPULATION 5 ECONOMY 7 POLLUTION AND CONTAMINATION 8 Status of Municipal Water Resources 10 GLOBE, AZ 10 MIAMI, AZ 12 TRI-CITIES (CLAYPOOL, CENTRAL HEIGHTS, MIDLAND CITY) AND UNINCORPORATED AREAS 15 Water Resources Uncertainty and Potential 18 INFRASTRUCTURE FUNDING 18 SUSTAINABLE WELLFIELDS AND ALTERNATIVE WATER SUPPLIES 19 PRIVATE WELL WATER SUPPLY AND WATER QUALITY 20 PUBLIC EDUCATION 20 ENVIRONMENTAL ISSUES 21 References 23 Appendices 25 1. ARIZONA WATER COMPANY VS CITY OF GLOBE LAWSUIT 25 2. AGENT ORANGE APPLICATION IN THE 1960s 26 3. INFRASTRUCTURE UPGRADES IN THE CITY OF GLOBE 27 Initial Assessment of Water Resources in Cobre Valley, Arizona 1 Introduction This initial assessment of water resources in the Cobre Valley provides a snapshot of available data and resources on various water-related topics from all known sources. This report is the first step in determining where data are lacking and what further investigation may be necessary for community planning and resource development purposes. The research has been driven by two primary questions: 1) What information and resources currently exist on water resources in Cobre Valley and 2) what further research is necessary to provide valuable and accurate information so that community members and decision makers can reach their long-term water resource management goals? Areas of investigation include: water supply, water quality, drought and floods, economic factors, and water-dependent environmental values. Research for this report was conducted through the systematic collection of data and information from numerous local, state, and federal sources. To ensure that community knowledge and values were also incorporated, interviews were carried out with community leaders, water managers, and others about their short and long-term water-related concerns for the area. Through this and further investigation, questions and concerns of local water managers, business leaders, and residents can be better addressed. Discussions with local community members revealed common questions and concerns related to quality of public and private water supplies, water quantity reliability, and the economic impact of outdated water infrastructure and chemically and hydrologically impaired surface water and groundwater systems throughout the valley. This report addresses those questions with best available data and can serve as the basis for educational and outreach materials or presentations. Initial Assessment of Water Resources in Cobre Valley, Arizona 2 Overview of Cobre Valley CLIMATE The climate in the region is mild and semi-arid, characterized by hot summers and moderate to warm winters. Due to the higher elevation in Globe-Miami, at ~3500 ft., precipitation rates are typically higher and temperatures typically lower than the nearby, non-mountainous regions. Average annual temperatures include highs of 76°F and lows of 47°F (yearly avg. 61.4°F) compared to Phoenix with average highs of 87°F and lows of 63°F (yearly avg. 75.1°F) (usclimatedata.com). Surface water temperatures average 59.3°F compared to a state average of 59.9°F. Precipitation averages 17.0 in/yr, compared to an Arizona average of 12.4 in/yr and Phoenix average of 8.0 in/yr (at elevation ~1000 ft.). Typical of Arizona, precipitation has a bi- modal pattern, with precipitation peaks in both the winter and summer. The area receives a greater fraction of precipitation during the winter months, with only 37% of annual precipitation received during the summer monsoon months from July-September (ADWR, 2009). TOPOGRAPHY Topography is typical of the basin and range physiographic province. North to northwestward trending mountain ranges surround the alluvial basins. The Pinal Mountains in the south of the basin reach a maximum height of 7,848 ft. at Pinal Peak. The communities of Globe-Miami are located at ~3,500 ft., with the lowest point in the basin at Roosevelt Lake (~2,000 ft.). GROUNDWATER The primary water source in the Cobre Valley is groundwater, with the main users being mining companies and the communities of Globe and Miami. There are two principal aquifers in the valley: the shallow alluvium and basin fill aquifer, and the regional Gila Conglomerate aquifer composed of semi-consolidated to consolidated basin-fill sediments. Historical activities have generated localized contamination resulting in acid-metal bearing water in the top 30 ft. of the alluvium filled surficial aquifer. As the Gila Conglomerate is a low permeability layer, high in calcium carbonates, the subsurface layer neutralizes acidic waters and acts as an aquitard, preventing significant water exchange between the surface aquifer and Gila Conglomerate aquifer below (ADEQ, 2017). As a result, the Gila Conglomerate aquifer provides most of the area’s domestic and industrial water supply. A localized limestone aquifer also supplies water to the Globe-Miami area, and west of Globe several small basin-fill deposits form isolated groundwater aquifers (ADWR, 1992). Initial Assessment of Water Resources in Cobre Valley, Arizona 3 SURFACE WATER The Cobre Valley is made up of the Pinal Creek and Pinto Creek basins that flow northward through mining properties and the incorporated and unincorporated communities of the valley. The creeks flow to the Salt River, just prior to its entering Roosevelt Lake (Figure 1). Surface water in the basin is mostly ephemeral, occurring only in response to precipitation events. PINTO CREEK Pinto Creek is an intermittent stream system with ephemeral and perennial reaches. The Pinto Creek basin drains an area of about 178 mi2 in Gila and Pinal Counties. The creek flows approximately 32 miles northward and discharges into the east end of Lake Roosevelt (Figure 1). Due to historical mining activities in the area, the creek violates the Clean Water Act for dissolved copper concentrations. Additional information can be found in the Cobre Valley-Pollution/Contamination section. Figure 1 - Pinto Creek watershed (in green) in relation to the communities of Globe-Miami. Section of creek impaired for elevated copper concentrations highlighted in red (ADWR, 2007). Initial Assessment of Water Resources in Cobre Valley, Arizona 4 PINAL CREEK The Pinal Creek hydrogeology is a typical basin and range structure with northwest-trending ranges of igneous and metamorphic rocks separated by a valley that is filled with alluvial deposits. The creek catchment area (172 mi2), is constrained by the Pinal Mountains to the south, Apache Peaks to the northeast, and Globe Hills to the east (Figure 2). Small tributaries (i.e., Sixshooter Canyon, Icehouse Canyon, Kellner Canyon) make up the headwaters of the system in the south, with additional source waters entering the system further north (i.e., Nugget Wash, Negro Wash, Wood Springs Wash). Miami Wash is a major tributary that flows northward into Pinal Creek about half way through its run to the Salt River. Miami Wash is formed by Russell Gulch, Bloody Tanks Wash, and (historically) Webster Gulch. Webster Lake use to feed into Webster Gulch but the system is now dry. Ephemeral flows are present in the Figure 2 - Pinal Creek basin (USGS, 1994). Ephemeral southern portion of the basin and a flows originate from headwaters in the Pinal Mountain perennial stream emerges in the to the south. Confluence of flows from major tributaries north end of the channel where the (Bloody Tanks Wash, Russell Gulch, and Miami Wash) groundwater table intersects the occurs near the municipalities of Globe-Miami. Flows surface due to a truncation of the alluvial and Gila Conglomerate aquifers bedrock. This flow is present in the northern 5.5 km of the basin (ADEQ, 2017). Historically effluent was discharged to the creek, making it the only effluent dependent system in the Salt River Basin. Effluent is no longer discharged to the creek, as it used for other purposes described in the “Status of Municipal Water Resources” section. POPULATION The Cobre Valley is located in Gila County, east of Phoenix in central Arizona, and is part of what is known as the “Copper Corridor.” Land ownership in Gila county is primarily under Bureau of Land Management (BLM), state, and tribal control, with only 4% of land privately owned. Communities include Globe, Miami, Claypool, Central Heights, and other Initial Assessment of Water Resources in Cobre Valley, Arizona 5 unincorporated areas. Nearby towns, such as Winkelman and Hayden, are also within the Copper Corridor, but as these communities fall on the opposite side of the Pinal Mountains, they are not included in this basin focused report. Globe was the first official municipality founded in the area in 1876. The area was originally known for its silver mines. During this time, creeks in the region often ran year-round. As mining production increased, the Town of Miami was founded in 1910 (WRRC, 2016). There are ~13,000 residents in the area. According to predictions of population to 2030 growth is not expected to be substantial in the area (Table 1). If predictions hold true, water usage from residential properties will not increase significantly in the next 15 years. If growth does occur, it is expected to take place north of the city of Globe. Table 1 - Cobre Valley Population: Historical and Future Projections (Arizona Office of Economic Opportunity, 2017) Year Community 1990 2000 2013 2030 Globe 6062 7486 7404 8614 Miami 2018 1936 1794 2100 Central Heights/ 2969 2694 2534 - Midland City Claypool 1942 1794 1538 - Total 12991 13910 13270 - Categories of stakeholders, either directly or indirectly involved in water resource management and uses, are identified in Table 2 and will be later used for a stakeholder mapping exercise and identifying project partners. Additional information on how these stakeholder groups have and can impact the quality, quantity, and cost of water resources is included in Section 2: Status of Municipal Water Resources and Section 3: Water Resources Uncertainty and Potential.
Load more

Recommended publications
  • Pinal Creek Trail
    Pinal Creek Trail Conceptual Plan November 2012 COBRE VALLEY COMPREHENSIVE TRANSPORTATION STUDY PINAL CREEK TRAIL CONCEPTUAL PLAN Final Report November 2012 Prepared For: City of Globe and Gila County Funded By: ADOT Planning Assistance for Rural Areas (PARA) Program Prepared By: Trail graphic prepared by RBF Consulting Cobre Valley Comprehensive Transportation Study TABLE OF CONTENTS Page 1. INTRODUCTION ..................................................................................................................................... 1 1.1 Purpose of the Study ............................................................................................................................ 1 1.2 Study Objectives ................................................................................................................................... 1 1.3 Study Area Overview ........................................................................................................................... 2 1.4 Study Process......................................................................................................................................... 3 2. REVIEW OF 1992 PINAL CREEK LINEAR PARK CONCEPT ............................................................... 4 2.1 1992 Pinal Creek Linear Park Concept Report ............................................................................... 4 2.2 1992 Pinal Creek Linear Park Goals ................................................................................................. 4 2.3 Original Pinal
    [Show full text]
  • John D Walker and The
    JOHN HENRY PEARCE by Tom Kollenborn © 1984 John Henry Pearce was truly an interesting pioneer of the Superstition Mountain and Goldfield area. His charismatic character endeared him to those who called him friend. Pearce was born in Taylor, Arizona, on January 22, 1883. His father founded and operated Pearce’s Ferry across the Colorado River near the western end of the Grand Canyon. Pearce’s father had accompanied John Wesley Powell through the Grand Canyon in 1869. John Pearce began his search for Jacob Waltz’s gold in 1929, shortly after arriving in the area. When John first arrived, he built a cabin on the Apache Trail about seven miles north- east of Apache Junction. Before moving to his Apache Trail site, John mined three gold mines and hauled his ore to the Hayden mill on the Gila River. He sold his gold to the United States government for $35.00 an ounce. During the depression his claims around the Goldfield area kept food on the table for his family. All the years John Pearce lived on the Apache Trail he also maintained a permanent camp deep in the Superstition Wilderness near Weaver’s Needle in Needle Canyon. He operated this camp from 1929 to the time of his death in 1959. John traveled the eleven miles to his camp by driving his truck to County Line Divide, then he would hike or ride horseback to his Needle Canyon Camp. Actually, Pearce had two mines in the Superstition Wilderness— one near his Needle Canyon Camp and the other located near Black Mesa Ridge.
    [Show full text]
  • Summits on the Air – ARM for the USA (W7A
    Summits on the Air – ARM for the U.S.A (W7A - Arizona) Summits on the Air U.S.A. (W7A - Arizona) Association Reference Manual Document Reference S53.1 Issue number 5.0 Date of issue 31-October 2020 Participation start date 01-Aug 2010 Authorized Date: 31-October 2020 Association Manager Pete Scola, WA7JTM Summits-on-the-Air an original concept by G3WGV and developed with G3CWI Notice “Summits on the Air” SOTA and the SOTA logo are trademarks of the Programme. This document is copyright of the Programme. All other trademarks and copyrights referenced herein are acknowledged. Document S53.1 Page 1 of 15 Summits on the Air – ARM for the U.S.A (W7A - Arizona) TABLE OF CONTENTS CHANGE CONTROL....................................................................................................................................... 3 DISCLAIMER................................................................................................................................................. 4 1 ASSOCIATION REFERENCE DATA ........................................................................................................... 5 1.1 Program Derivation ...................................................................................................................................................................................... 6 1.2 General Information ..................................................................................................................................................................................... 6 1.3 Final Ascent
    [Show full text]
  • The Rest of "On Target"…The Mountain Top Experience and Coaches Corner
    OPERATION ON TARGET! GRAND CANYON COUNCIL, BSA VARSITY SCOUTS Tuesday, September 16, 2008 Mike Heaton Bob Church Operation On Target Coordinator Regional On Target Coordinator Grand Canyon Council, BSA Southwest Region, BSA 855 E. 8th Street 1327 E. Harvest St. Mesa, AZ 85203 Mesa, AZ 85203 [email protected] [email protected] To: Team Captains, Special Program Managers and Advisors, and Team Coaches Greetings Varsity Scouts and Scout Leaders! You are about to participate in Varsity Scouting's most elevating activity for the year 2008. If you have planned right, you are about to have a mountain top experience that you will remember forever. It will help to culminate the last years’ worth of Team activities and will guide you and your Team through the upcoming year. I commend you for your choice to participate in Operation On Target this year. There are over 70 Teams participating in this year's activity. This is the biggest year ever for Arizona On Target! Team will be on Arizona peaks from Hayden Peak in the northwest to Mount Graham in the southeast. That will cover most of the state! Every Team should have ample opportunity to send and receive signals from several peaks. Please make every effort to be at your appointed location and be ready to go at 9:00 am. For some of you, that means a hike beginning at daybreak! Last year we had some Teams trying to make contact with Teams that had left early, so plan to stay until noon. Don’t forget to finish up with a “reflection”.
    [Show full text]
  • Chapter 2 Arizona's Silver Belt ©1991 by Wilbur A
    Chapter 2 Arizona's Silver Belt ©1991 by Wilbur A. Haak "Men move eternally, still chasing Fortune; and, silver nuggets and ledges of precious metals. He noted Fortune found, still wander." This quote is from Robert that these findings were located near "a butte that looks Louis Stevenson's 1883 book, The Silverado Squatters. like a hat." It was written about California, but applies just as well Thorne allegedly made subsequent visits to the area, to the nineteenth century fortune seekers in Arizona. but was unable to relocate the site. His glowing reports, They came in search of gold; silver would do, but always though, opened the door for other prospecting adventures. there was the hope, the dream, of finding gold. Many prospectors appeared in Arizona in the middle King Woolsey years of the nineteenth century. Most had failed When the Civil War broke out in 1861, most of the elsewhere - Colorado, California, Nevada, New Mexico Army was called away to fight in the east. Indian -and came to Arizona to try their luck. They were joined depredations increased, and Arizona civilians took it by soldiers, cowboys, merchants, professionals and upon themselves to play the military role. Men from all drifters. Any report or rumor of a promising claim lured walks of life joined to retaliate against the natives, men by the hundreds. A large amount of gold was found especially the "troublesome" Apaches. at various places in Arizona, but silver was the more In early January of 1864, up to 400 head of livestock prevalent precious metal, and its mining became an were reported stolen in Yavapai County.
    [Show full text]
  • Flood Insurance Study Vol. 1
    SANTA CRUZ COUNTY, ARIZONA AND INCORPORATED AREAS VOLUME 1 OF 3 Community Community Name Number SANTA CRUZ COUNTY, (UNINCORPORATED AREAS) 040090 NOGALES, CITY OF 040091 PATAGONIA, TOWN OF 040092 Santa Cruz County EFFECTIVE: DECEMBER 2, 2011 Federal Emergency Management Agency FLOOD INSURANCE STUDY NUMBER 04023CV001A NOTICE TO FLOOD INSURANCE STUDY USERS Communities participating in the National Flood Insurance Program have established repositories of flood hazard data for floodplain management and flood insurance purposes. This Flood Insurance Study (FIS) may not contain all data available within the repository. Please contact the Community Map Repository for any additional data. Part or all of this FIS may be revised and republished at any time. In addition, part of this FIS report may be revised by the Letter of Map Revision process, which does not involve republication or redistribution of the FIS report. It is, therefore, the responsibility of the user to consult with community officials and to check the community repository to obtain the most current FIS report components. Selected Flood Insurance Rate Map (FIRM) panels for this community contain information that was previously shown separately on the corresponding Flood Boundary and Floodway Map (FBFM) panels (e.g., floodways, cross sections). In addition, former flood hazard zone designations have been changed as follows: Old Zone(s) New Zone A1 through A30 AE B X C X Initial Countywide FIS Report Effective Date: December 2, 2011 TABLE OF CONTENTS – VOLUME 1 Page 1.0 INTRODUCTION
    [Show full text]
  • Air Quality Annual Report 2008, Page 1 Report Introduction
    Table of Contents Page Acknowledgements............................................................................................................................... 1 Report Introduction ............................................................................................................................. 2 Ambient Air Quality Networks Introduction ............................................................................................................................................ 3 Criteria Pollutant Monitoring Networks................................................................................................. 5 Visibility Monitoring Networks in National Parks and Wilderness Areas............................................. 7 Urban Haze Networks ............................................................................................................................ 8 Photochemical Assessment Monitoring Stations Network (PAMS)...................................................... 9 National Air Toxics Trends Sites (NATTS)......................................................................................... 10 PM2.5 Chemical Speciation Network (CSN)......................................................................................... 11 Annual Ambient Network Monitoring Plan ......................................................................................... 11 Monitoring Methods............................................................................................................................
    [Show full text]
  • Pictures of Some Local Arizona Hikes – Elly
    Pictures of some local Arizona hikes – Elly Since moving to Arizona in 1995, I have been hiking the Grand Canyon, Havasupai Canyon and other wonders but the Superstitions, Goldfields, and other lesser known areas are awsome too. Below are some pictures of these local hikes, mainly from after digital cameras became mainstream. I have organized them by region. Superstition Mountain Wilderness The Superstitions are a range of mountains in the East Valley which, together with areas to its North and East were made into a wilderness area in 1939. It is the area of a number of battles and of goldmining. The `Dutchman’ Jacob Waltz is said to have found a fortune in gold and many trail names remind us of the history: Jacob’s Crosscut, The Dutchman’s Trail, and Massacre Grounds. One can get to the top of the Superstition in a number of ways, of which I have only used the Siphon Draw access. Jacob’s Crosscut Trail is a very close, safe, and convenient hike along the base of the Superstition Mountain. It is part of the Lost Dutchman State Park. Look well: a horned lizard! 1 Whiskey Spring loop. I started this loop as an `end-of-semester’ trek for ASU students in the 1990s but it became too long for many. The hike starts at the Peralta Dutchman Trail and goes around Miner’s Needle to come back via Bluff Springs trail. The below are from 2010. The Carney Springs Trail starts off the road to the Peralta Trailhead and then ascends the mountain.
    [Show full text]
  • COMPILATION GEOLOGIC MAP of the RAY-SUPERIOR AREA, CENTRAL ARIZONA by S
    COMPILATION GEOLOGIC MAP OF THE RAY-SUPERIOR AREA, CENTRAL ARIZONA by S. M. Richard and J.E. Spencer Arizona Geological Survey Open-file Report 98-13 September, 1998 This rnport is prniirnir:::ry and hJs not been edited or reviewed for co,1formity with Arizona Geological Survey standards CONTENTS Contents .................................................................................................... 2 List of Figures .......................................................................................... 2 Introduction ............................................................................................. 3 Map compilation ...................................................................................... 3 Structure ................................................................................................... 4 TERTIARY FAULT SYSTEMS .................................................................... 4 Post-Apache Leap tuff....................................................................... 4 Pre Apache Leap Tiifj'. ..................................................................... 16 LARAMIDE STRUCTURE ....................................................................... 20 Thrust faults ..................................................................................... 20 Dripping Spring Mountains ............................................................ 26 Cross sections ......................................................................................... 26 DISCUSSION OF SECTION LINES ..........................................................
    [Show full text]
  • <PRORULE> <PREAMB> DEPARTMENT
    This document is scheduled to be published in the Federal Register on 01/25/2013 and available online at http://federalregister.gov/a/2013-01303, and on FDsys.gov <PRORULE> <PREAMB> DEPARTMENT OF THE INTERIOR Fish and Wildlife Service 50 CFR Part 17 [Docket No. FWS–R2–ES–2012–0101] [4500030113] RIN 1018–AY25 Endangered and Threatened Wildlife and Plants; Proposed Endangered Status for the Zuni Bluehead Sucker AGENCY: Fish and Wildlife Service, Interior. ACTION: Proposed rule. SUMMARY: We, the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service, propose to list the Zuni bluehead sucker as an endangered species under the Endangered Species Act and propose to designate critical habitat for the species. If we finalize this rule as proposed, it would extend the Act’s protections to this subspecies and its critical habitat. The effect of these regulations will be to conserve the Zuni bluehead sucker and protect its habitat under the Act. DATES: We will accept comments received or postmarked on or before [INSERT DATE 60 DAYS AFTER DATE OF PUBLICATION IN THE FEDERAL REGISTER]. Comments submitted electronically using the Federal eRulemaking Portal (see ADDRESSES section, below) must be received by 11:59 p.m. Eastern Time on the closing date. We must receive requests for public hearings, in writing, at the address shown in FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT by [INSERT DATE 45 DAYS AFTER DATE OF PUBLICATION IN THE FEDERAL REGISTER]. ADDRESSES: You may submit comments by one of the following methods: (1) Electronically: Go to the Federal eRulemaking Portal: http://www.regulations.gov. In the Search box, enter FWS–R2–ES–2012–0101, which is the docket number for this rulemaking.
    [Show full text]
  • Habitat Suitability Criteria for Zuni Bluehead Sucker Catostomus
    Habitat Suitability Criteria for Zuni Bluehead Sucker Catostomus discobolus yarrowi and Navajo Nation Genetic Subunit Bluehead Sucker Catostomus discobolus and Comparing Efficiency of AFS Standard Snorkeling Techniques to eDNA Sampling Techniques Item Type text; Electronic Thesis Authors Ulibarri, Roy M. 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 26/09/2021 14:57:51 Link to Item http://hdl.handle.net/10150/604876 Habitat Suitability Criteria for Zuni Bluehead Sucker Catostomus discobolus yarrowi and Navajo Nation Genetic Subunit Bluehead Sucker Catostomus discobolus and Comparing Efficiency of AFS Standard Snorkeling Techniques to eDNA Sampling Techniques by Roy M. Ulibarri ____________________________ A Thesis Submitted to the Faculty of the SCHOOL OF NATURAL RESOURCES AND THE ENVIRONMENT In Partial Fulfillment of the Requirements For the Degree of MASTER OF SCIENCE WITH A MAJOR IN NATURAL RESOURCES In the Graduate College THE UNIVERSITY OF ARIZONA 2016 STATEMENT BY AUTHOR This thesis has been submitted in partial fulfillment 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 an accurate acknowledgement of the source is made. Requests for permission for extended quotation from or reproduction of this manuscript in whole or in part may be granted by the head of the major department or the Dean of the Graduate College when in his or her judgment the proposed use of the material is in the interests of scholarship.
    [Show full text]
  • Accessible Report (PDF)
    United States Department of Agriculture Story Map: Forest Health Summary for Southwestern Region 2019 USDA Forest Service Forest Health Protection, Arizona Department of Forestry and Fire Management, New Mexico State Forestry Background: This is an accessible version of the content on the ESRI Story Map with the Forest Health Summary for the Southwestern Region 2019 which is at: http://www.fs.usda.gov/goto/r3/healthreport. This document contains the text and photographs of the Story Map, however note that the content of the interactive maps are not capable of being reproduced here. Introduction The Forest Health Protection Program works collaboratively with Arizona State Department of Forestry and Fire Management and New Mexico State Forestry to conduct annual aerial detection surveys of forest health conditions. These surveys assess forest insect and disease issues throughout the Southwestern Region. This includes damage such as tree mortality caused by bark beetles, tree defoliation by leaf/needle feeding caterpillars, tree discoloration, or branch flagging caused by pathogens, and abiotic factors like hail damage. In 2019, approximately 23,100,000 acres of Federal, state and private forest and woodlands in NM and AZ were surveyed. Insect and disease damage detectable from an aircraft were recorded by host, damage agent and intensity of damage using the Digital Mobile Sketchmapping application on Android tablets. Damage is recorded with points for small occurrences or with polygons for larger areas and given intensity levels depending on the severity of the damage. When interpreting this data, special attention should be paid to intensity levels. For more information on data interpretation, please read the methodology section below.
    [Show full text]