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Private Property, No Trespassing
Water Rights on the Santa Cruz
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Julia Fonseca
BA from Rice UniversityMaster’s degree in geology at the University of Arizona.14 years with Pima County Flood Control DistrictHydrologist, geomorphologist and land managerSonoran Desert Conservation PlanMembership:– The Arizona Native Plant Society– Arizona Riparian Council– Arizona Hydrological Society
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The West Branch
Location• Silverlake Road and Ajo way• Mission Road and
Cottonwood LaneHistory1915 West Branch - East BranchPrevent destroyed the farmlandHabitat intact
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Preservation6 species of fishes originally including:– Desert pupfish– Gila topminnow– Gila chub.
• None of these native fish remain.
• Potential for re-introduction
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History
Mostly Farmland Until the 1960’sEnchanted Hills wash– major drainage of the floodplain
“Bus barn" property owned by the county Regeneration of mesquite and Blue Palo Verde Bosques
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Plants
Relatively untouched species remainMesquites almost three feet across at the baseRare AZ plant species
• amaranth• Desert seepweed• Little barley• Tumamoc globeberry• Ruellia• Crucifixion thorn
Ruellia Crucifixition Thorn
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Flora
Plant species in the West Branch
Most plant growth is native.
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Mesquite Mesquite TreesTrees
- Good - Good IndicatorIndicator
Water tables:
*1920 – 30 feet
*1990 – 130 feet
Water Table
Constantly Dropping
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Flowing Water
Water flows here about 30 days of the yearRainy season in June and July – Monsoon SeasonMost surface water diverted to main riverbed
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Restoration
Riparian Restoration Floodplain SavedPark DevelopmentHydro-riparian restoration– Water doesn’t flow in the West
Branch often
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Works Cited
http://www.co.pima.az.us/cmo/sdcp/sdcp2/reports/WB/pflora.htm#anchor1283111 (Biological Values of the West Branch of the Santa Cruz River,With an Outline for a Potential Park or Reserve)
Philip C. RosenJulia FonsecaDr. Riley