United States Department of Agriculture History of Watershed Research Forest Service Rocky Mountain in the Central Arizona Research Station Research Paper RMRS–GTR–29 Highlands April 1999 Malchus B. Baker, Jr., Compiler Abstract Baker, Jr., Malchus B. Compiler. 1999. History of Watershed Research in the Central Arizona Highlands. Gen. Tech. Rep. RMRS-GTR-29. Fort Collins, CO: U.S. Department of Agriculture, Forest Service, Rocky Mountain Research Station. 56 p. The Central Arizona Highlands have been the focus of a wide range of research efforts designed to learn more about the effects of natural and human induced disturbances on the functioning, processes, and components of the region’s ecosystems. The watershed research spearheaded by the USDA Forest Service and its cooperators continues to lead to a comprehensive understanding of the region’s ecology, and to formulation of management guidelines that meet the increasing needs of people in the region, and throughout the Southwestern United States. This report assembles the pertinent details of all watershed research accomplished by the USDA Forest Service and its cooperators in the region and provides highlights of the results. An extensive literature cited section is included for additional information. Information on the current status of the 5 major research area is also provided. Keywords: watershed management, water yield, hydrology, mixed conifer, ponderosa pine, pinyon- juniper, chaparral, riparian, vegetation treatment The Authors Malchus B. Baker, Jr. is a research hydrologist with the USDA Forest Service, Rocky Mountain Research Station, Flagstaff, AZ. Leonard F. DeBano is a professor with the University of Arizona, School of Renewable Natural Resources, Tucson, AZ. Peter F. Ffolliott is a professor with the University of Arizona, School of Renewable Natural Resources, Tucson, AZ. Gerald J. Gottfried is a research forester with the USDA Forest Service, Rocky Mountain Research Station, Phoenix, AZ. Steven T. Overby is a soil scientist with the USDA Forest Service, Rocky Mountain Research Station, Flagstaff, AZ. Pesticide Precautionary Statement The publication reports research involving pesticides. It does not contain recommendations for their use, nor does it imply that the uses discussed here have been registered. All uses of pesticides must be registered by appropriate State and/or Federal agencies before they can be recommended. Caution: Pesticides can be injurious to humans, domestic animals, desirable plants, fish, and other wildlife if they are not handled or applied properly. Use all pesticides selectively and carefully. Follow recommended practices for the disposal of surplus pesticides and pesticide containers. You may order additional copies of this publication by sending your mailing information in label form through one of the following media. Please send the publication title and number. Telephone (970) 498-1719 E-mail rschneider/[email protected] FAX (970) 498-1660 Mailing Address Publications Distribution Rocky Mountain Research Station 3825 E. Mulberry Street Fort Collins, CO 80524-8597 Cover photo (circa 1960): Roosevelt Dam on the Salt River, AZ, was the first reservoir to capture and store Arizona water. Photo courtesy of Salt River Project History Services. History of Watershed Research in the Central Arizona Highlands Malchus B. Baker, Jr., Compiler Contents Chapter 1 Central Arizona Highlands ........................................................................... 1 Peter F. Ffolliott Introduction ..................................................................................................... 1 Climate ............................................................................................................ 1 Vegetation Types ............................................................................................ 1 Mixed Conifer Forests ................................................................................ 2 Ponderosa Pine Forests ............................................................................. 2 Mountain Grasslands.................................................................................. 2 Pinyon-Juniper Woodlands......................................................................... 3 Chaparral Shrublands................................................................................. 3 Riparian Ecosystems .................................................................................. 3 Initial Research Emphasis .............................................................................. 4 Multiple Use Considerations ........................................................................... 5 Chapter 2 Beginning of Water Studies in the Central Arizona Highlands ................ 7 Gerald J. Gottfried, Leonard F. DeBano, and Malchus B. Baker, Jr. Introduction ..................................................................................................... 7 Sierra Ancha Experimental Forest .................................................................. 7 Short-Term Studies..................................................................................... 7 Long-Term Studies ..................................................................................... 8 Cooperators .................................................................................................... 9 Results ............................................................................................................ 10 Implications ..................................................................................................... 11 Current Status ................................................................................................. 11 Chapter 3 Providing Water and Forage in the Salt-Verde River Basin ...................... 13 Leonard F. DeBano, Malchus B. Baker, Jr., and Gerald J. Gottfried Introduction ..................................................................................................... 13 Research and Management ........................................................................... 13 Three-Bar Experimental Watersheds ......................................................... 13 Brushy Basin Management Demonstration Area ....................................... 14 Cooperators .................................................................................................... 15 Results ............................................................................................................ 15 Three-Bar Watersheds ............................................................................... 15 Other Studies .............................................................................................. 16 Implications ..................................................................................................... 17 Current Status ................................................................................................. 18 Chapter 4 Managing Chaparral in Yavapai County ..................................................... 19 Leonard F. DeBano, Malchus B. Baker, Jr., and Steven T. Overby Introduction ..................................................................................................... 19 Experimental Watersheds ............................................................................... 19 Whitespar Watersheds ............................................................................... 19 Mingus Watersheds .................................................................................... 21 Battle Flat Pilot Application Program .............................................................. 22 Study Area .................................................................................................. 22 Project Planning, Inventories, and Research ............................................. 22 Cooperators .................................................................................................... 23 Results ............................................................................................................ 23 Whitespar Watersheds ............................................................................... 23 Mingus Watersheds .................................................................................... 24 Battle Flat Watershed ................................................................................. 24 Implications ..................................................................................................... 25 Current Status ................................................................................................. 25 Chapter 5 Interdisciplinary Land Use Along the Mogollon Rim................................. 27 Malchus B. Baker, Jr. and Peter F. Ffolliott Introduction ..................................................................................................... 27 Beaver Creek Watershed ............................................................................... 27 Beaver Creek Project Design ......................................................................... 28 Pilot Watersheds ........................................................................................ 28 Responsibilities ........................................................................................... 28 Wild Bill Studies .............................................................................................. 29 Biosphere Reserve ........................................................................................