Water the Importance of it in Arizona Fragile Environment

In the article “Snowpack levels hold promise for Ariz. Reservoirs”, this winter has had the best snowfall since 1998. The snowfall is about 152 percent of the normal for the month of February. Most of the reservoirs such as Lake Roosevelt and the San Carlos Reservoir are at full capacity. This is good news to the farmers of the valley that have been on water restrictions for the last two years. The Colorado River supplies 1/3 of Arizona’s water consumption. The tributaries of the Colorado River such as the Green River and the San Juan have normal to 148 percent snow pack this year. Water managers are hoping for a cool spring so that run off will be more manageable. This winter’s snow pack and rain has been very important to the survival of Arizona’s agriculture communities and the fragile ecosystem.
Water is essential for sustaining life on the San Pedro’s river. In the article “San Pedro’s Groundwater Ok, State Says”, the state is arguing over the fact that pumping groundwater near the San Pedro River is not harming the river flow. Even more, the state is encouraging the growth of Sierra Vista and the Benson areas. Robin Silver, the monitor for the Center for Biological Diversity claims that excessive water use is having a direct effect on the San Pedro water flow. And more over, Robin says that some areas of the river’s base flow have completely disappeared in driest parts of the year. Environment Groups have been trying to save the San Pedro River for years. They claim, the over use of the river’s groundwater is severely changing the river’s ecosystem. If the river dries up, it could endanger the lives of many species. These species are the jaguar, Mexican spotted owl, pygmy owl and the Huachuca water umbel.

In the article “State Acquires Coal Mine Canyon”, the Arizona Game and Fish Department and the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service have pooled together 2.25 million dollars to buy the 2,600-acre site. The Coal Mine Canyon site is ware the last remaining Gila topminnow fish live. The Gila topminnows are flourishing in the spring-fed pools in the Coal Mine Canyon. With out this purchase, the Coal Mine Canyon may have been sold to a developer. The Coal Mine Canyon, Sonoita Creek State Natural Area and the Patagonia Lake will make up 8000 acres of newly formed public land. This public land will only be accessible by hiking or horseback. John Hudson, the prior landowner is pleased with the sale of his land to the government, and he is also happy with the government’s interest on protecting the spring-fed pools and the Gila topminnows.

The improvements of the Salt River bottom will be a positive move to insure the future of birds and other indigenous wild life that lived here long before Phoenix. In the article “ Audubon Tweaking Image”, John Flicker, the president of the National Audubon Society wants to see inter city kids experience nature because inter city kids have least opportunity to do so. Audubon Arizona has to raise 5.9 million dollars in its campaign to finish the project. Nina Mason Pulliam Charitable Trust has already given 1 million dollars for seeding the Salt River bottom, and with the trust’s contribution seeding of the riverbed started three years ago. The City of Phoenix, with agreement of the Arizona Audubon will construct an urban center near the Rio Salado project. The riverbed rehabilitation project will extend from 19^th Ave. to 32^nd St and Architect Phil Weddle will design the new 7000 square foot urban center. He will be using “green” or sustainable building principles.

In closing, water is the main factor in sustaining life in Arizona. With out proper water conservation, the native plants and animals are endangering of extinction. The city of Phoenix and other Arizona cities need to adapt grow limitation. With out growth limitations, the Coal Mine Canyon with its endangered Gila topminnow would be extinct. The new developments in Sierra Vista and the Benson areas are prime examples of irresponsible water management. With the irresponsible water management wild life on the San Pedro River may not exist in the future.