Private Property, No Trespassing

Water Rights on the Santa Cruz

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

The West Branch

Location• Silverlake Road and Ajo way• Mission Road and

Cottonwood LaneHistory1915 West Branch - East BranchPrevent destroyed the farmlandHabitat intact

Preservation6 species of fishes originally including:– Desert pupfish– Gila topminnow– Gila chub.

• None of these native fish remain.

• Potential for re-introduction

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

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

Flora

Plant species in the West Branch

Most plant growth is native.

Mesquite Mesquite TreesTrees

- Good - Good IndicatorIndicator

Water tables:

*1920 – 30 feet

*1990 – 130 feet

Water Table

Constantly Dropping

Flowing Water

Water flows here about 30 days of the yearRainy season in June and July – Monsoon SeasonMost surface water diverted to main riverbed

Restoration

Riparian Restoration Floodplain SavedPark DevelopmentHydro-riparian restoration– Water doesn’t flow in the West

Branch often

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