Private Property, No Trespassing Water Rights on the Santa Cruz

Julia Fonseca BA from Rice University Master’s degree in geology at the University of Arizona. 14 years with Pima County Flood Control District Hydrologist, geomorphologist and land manager Sonoran Desert Conservation Plan Membership: –The Arizona Native Plant Society –Arizona Riparian Council –Arizona Hydrological Society

The West Branch Location Silverlake Road and Ajo way Mission Road and Cottonwood Lane History 1915 West Branch - East Branch Prevent destroyed the farmland Habitat intact

Preservation 6 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’s Enchanted 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 remain Mesquites almost three feet across at the base Rare AZ plant species amaranth Desert seepweed Little barley Tumamoc globeberry Ruellia Crucifixion thorn RuelliaCrucifixition Thorn

Flora Plant species in the West Branch Most plant growth is native.

Mesquite Trees - Good Indicator Water tables: *1920 – 30 feet *1990 – 130 feet Water Table Constantly Dropping

Flowing Water Water flows here about 30 days of the year Rainy season in June and July – Monsoon Season Most surface water diverted to main riverbed

Restoration Riparian Restoration Floodplain Saved Park Development Hydro-riparian restoration –Water doesn’t flow in the West Branch often

Works Cited eports/WB/pflora.htm#anchor eports/WB/pflora.htm#anchor (Biological Values of the West Branch of the Santa Cruz River,With an Outline for a Potential Park or Reserve) Philip C. Rosen Julia Fonseca Dr. Riley