Winter 2003-2004
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Park News National Park Service The High Bridge Tribune U.S. Department of the Interior The OfficialOfficial Newspaper Newspaper ofof Amistad National Recreation Area Amistad NationalThe High Bridge Recreation Tribune Area. Volume OneVolume - Summer 1, No. 1 - Fall 2003 Winter 2003-2004 The Pecos High Railroad Bridge Constructed in 1882. A Chihuahuan Desert Paradise A splash of blue stands out against They left behind a record of their exis- ence of the Rio Grande and Devils Amistad International Reservoir limestone cliffs. The honking of a tence through colorful rock art panels, rivers, was created by Amistad Dam At water conservation elevation 1117 ft. bits of tools, and fibers preserved for in 1969. In addition to excellent rec- above seal level: thousands of years by the arid desert reation, this area is rich in archeology - 64,860 surface acres climate. and rock art, and contains a wide vari- - 851 miles of shoreline (547 in the U.S.) ety of plant and animal life. So whether - Rio Grande arm- 74 miles Situated on the United States-Mexico you come to boat, to ponder ancient - Pecos River arm- 14 miles Border, Amistad NRA is known pri- mysteries, or to listen to bird song and - Devils River arm- 25 miles marily for excellent year round, water- watch the desert bloom, Amistad has based recre- something for you. ation includ- ing: boating, Please visit Amistad NRA’s official DEVILS RIVER ARM OF LAKE AMISTAD fishing, home page: great blue heron, interspersed with the swimming, http://www.nps.gov/amis descending trill of a canyon wren, can scuba diving be heard off in the distance. This land- and water- scape, which at times appears stark skiing. Amis- FAST FACTS and desolate, comes alive with color tad NRA AMISTAD DAM - AERIAL VIEW after a rainstorm. Amistad National also provides Amistad National Recreation Area (NRA) is a land of opportu- Recreation Area Amistad Dam contrasts...and of hidden treasures. nities for - Established November 28, 1990 - Completed September 8, 1969 picnicking, - 57,292 acres of land and water - 6.06 miles long The same water that draws people to GREAT BLUE HERON boat and fish today, sustained over 300 camping and - 2002 visitation- 952,000 (1.81 miles are in the U.S.) generations of hunters and gatherers. hunting. The reservoir, at the conflu- - 254 feet above river bed . Why Do The Lake Levels Change? Amistad Reservoir is in a desert. reation on the lake- record lows were New Mexico, but an extensive system ries water from the Sierra Madre Occi- Because irregular rainfall and seasonal reached in August, 1998. Since then, of dams on both rivers captures river dental in the Mexican state of Chihua- fluctuations in water demand, there occasional large storms have kept the water for domestic and agricultural use hua; its headwaters are near Creel, Chi- can be dramatic changes in Amistad’s lake level steady, but even at these long before the Texas state line. huahua, close to the famous Copper water level. lower levels, Amistad is still a big lake. Canyon. Increasing numbers of dams Below Fort Quitman, downstream on the Rio Conchos also limit how The primary purposes of the dam are Amistad Reservoir is fed by three from El Paso, Texas, the Rio Grande much water feeds the Rio Grande and, water storage (mostly for agriculture major rivers, the Rio Grande, the is essentially dry. In most cases, the ultimately, Amistad Reservoir. Only and domestic use) and flood control. Pecos and the Devils rivers. The Rio Grande’s primary flow into Amis- large tropical storms over the Sierra When the dam was built, recreation headwaters of the Rio Grande and tad Reservoir comes from the Rio Con- Madre or from the Gulf of Mexico was low on the priority list. Recent Pecos River are located in high, snow- chos, which joins the Rio Grande at have significantly raised the drought has dramatically affected rec- capped mountains in Colorado and Presidio, Texas. The Rio Conchos car- reservoir’s level. v . Look Inside.... Emergency Numbers.. 2 . Park News ................... 2 . Help Us Plan ................ 2 . Fee Schedule ............... 3 . Volunteering ............... 3 . Park Activities ............. 4 . Ranger Programs ....... 4 . Park Map .................... 5 . Rock Art Sites .............. 6 . Desert Dwellers .......... 7 . Poetry .......................... 7 . Boating Safety .......... 8 . The High Bridge Tribune Help Us Plan Our Future state, and local government agencies important process. We appreciate and officials as well as private orga- your interest in Amistad National Rec- nizations. Communication and coop- reation Area and look forward to eration with other government agen- working with you. Vol 1, No 1 , Winter 2003-2004 cies will identify common interests and The High Bridge Tribune: the official newspaper of goals. Developing partnerships with Sincerely, Amistad National Recreation Area. The Pecos Railroad other agencies can offer creative and High Bridge is symbolic of the long span of human efficient ways to achieve our future Alan W. Cox history represented at Amistad NRA. The high goals at Amistad. In fact, this type of Superintendent cooperation is essential to developing a bridge (pictured above and on front cover) was Dear Friends of Amistad: built in 1892 for the plan that meets the needs of the Amer- ican public and fulfills the National Southern Transcontinental Railway; the current bridge Amistad National Recreational Area is ....................................................................... Park Service mission to protect our was finished in 1944. beginning the development of a new most precious cultural and natural general management plan (GMP). Superintendent: Alan Cox resources. Produced by: Annmarie Mikelski Just as its name implies, this plan will A Bit of History Please join us in this effort to develop a provide a framework to guide long- plan that charts a sustainable future Contributors to this newspaper: term park management decision-mak- Amistad National Recreation Area was for Amistad NRA. Send in your com- Steven Crisco ing, based on a vision of what people established in 1990, twenty-one years ments and let us know if you want to Eric Finkelstein wish to see at Amistad in the future. after completion of Amistad Dam. The be on our mailing list. We will keep Ellie Knapp-Motter We need your help in describing that dam, a joint project between Mexico you informed throughout the planning Joe Labadie vision and developing the overall man- and the United States, was built on process with public meetings, newslet- John Little agement goals through which we will the Rio Grande to store water and pre- ters, postings on the web site, and a Ron Motter achieve it. vent flooding. The nameAmistad Rick Slade draft plan. If you have any comments is Spanish for friendship, to com- or questions at any time, please feel Kay Tiff In developing a vision for the future of memorate the spirit of cooperation free to contact me at: Amistad NRA it is important to review between two neighbors. The Interna- Big Bend Natural History Association the park’s purpose, its diverse cultural tional Boundary and Water Commis- Alan W. Cox, Superintendent Mike Boren - BBNHA Executive Director and natural resources, and the poten- sion operates the dam. Amistad National Recreation Area tial for public appreciation and under- HCR 3 Box 5J Amistad National Recreation Area standing of these distinctive resources. Amistad National Recreation Area was Del Rio TX 78840 HCR 3, Box 5 J The planning process will describe established by the United States Con- (830) 775-7491 Del Rio, TX 78840 specific desirable resource conditions gress to provide recreation and enjoy- and visitor goals for the park’s future ment of the U.S. side of Amistad Reser- E-mail:[email protected] 830-775-7491 phone and design alternate management voir, and to protect its scenic, scientific, 830-775-7299 fax strategies for achieving these goals. and cultural resources. The National Or visit the NPS Planning website at This process will be more successful if Park Service manages the NRA, in http://www.planning.nps.gov/ [email protected] you share with us your own vision for coordination with various state and plans.cfm. www.nps.gov/amis the park’s future. federal agencies.k Please accept our thanks in advance National Park Service As part of our planning process, we for your input and assistance in this United States Department of Interior will be meeting with many federal, . New Binational . PWC Ban Still In Effect . Fisheries Plan . As a result of a federal court order, the operation of personal . watercraft (Jet Skis, Seadoos, etc.) is currently prohibited in . Amistad NRA. This is not a permanent ban, and the park is . drafting a management plan that may allow personal water- . craft use in 2004. You may tow your PWC to . the Mexican side of Lake . Amistad and operate it there. An Amistad lake use permit . is not required for a towed . vessel. Check with author- . ities regarding permits . required for use in Mexico. o Bronze Eagle Sculptures on Top of Amistad Dam . A new Binational Fisheries Management Plan has been devel- . oped by Amistad National Recreation Area, Texas Parks and . Wildlife, and various agencies in the government of Mexico. The Monarchs of Amistad The plan will coordinate fisheries management on both sides . of the international border in Lake Amistad. Fall at Amistad National Recreation Area brings one of the most impressive . animal migrations in the world- passage of thousands of Monarch butterflies. Alan W. Cox, Superintendent of Amistad NRA, said, “Before . The Monarchs pass through the Del Rio area on their way from southern Canada this plan, there was no coordination between United States . to their winter homes in the mountains of central Mexico. and Mexican agencies. There is sport fishing on both sides .