WSP00922

• File Number: 8042.A
• Description: Section D General Studies - Other States
• State: AZ
• Date: 3/1/1999
• Author: AWPF
• Title: Arizona Water Protection Fund - Meetings/Newletters - Arizona Water Protection Fund - Newsletter
• Water Supply Pro - Doc Type: Agenda

Arizona Water Protection Fund Ne&er

LOFER C1ENEGA
RESTORATION

PROJECT OBJECTIVES'

Promote native riparian
vegetation and stop the
spread of Kentucky
bluegrass, as measured
by an increase of 30%
in stream side cover by
native riparian species
over the three years of
the project.

Restore Lofer Cienega
Creek from an
entrenched gully
(Rosgen "F" or "G")
to i:l stable Ineandering
channel (Rosgen "E")
at the bottom of the
existing gully.

Improve habitat for
native Apache trout, as
measured by increase
in biomass of 50%.

Reduce the number of
feral horses by
establishing four horse
traps to remove the
number of horses
concentrating at Lofer
Cienega.

Improve grazing
management by fencing
off 123 acres of Lofer
Cienega from cattle and
horses, while
establishing pastures to
manage grazing in the
future.

Enhance aesthetic value
of Lofer Cienega
through riparian
restoration and water
quality improvements.

4

Lofer Cienega Restoration
WHITE MOUNTAIN APACHE TRIBE

Lofer Cienega is one of the largest
cienegas on the white Mountain Apache
Reservation. A falling water table and
deepening gullies were evidence that the
area was degrading. Willow "skeletons"
hinted of a once vast habitat type that
was gone.

CIENEGA (Spanish for marsh or bog)

Marshy areas that support aquatic plants
and animals. Cienegas often are fed by
one or more springs or are created by a
geological formation which forces
groundwater to the surface.

From Arizona 5 Chaneinl! Rivers: How
People Have Affected the Rivers, Water

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The area is significant because of both
ecological and cultural values. The Tribe
targeted grazing management as the key
to restoring the cienega; and eventually
the wetland. For many years, feral horses
had over grazed the riparian zone; a
problem only compounded by elk and
livestock.

The obiective of the restoration project?

To restore the health of the cienega to
stable condition -- as defined by a
meandering channel with stable,
vegetated overhanging banks and sedge-
rush plant community dominating the
riparian zone. (Refer to sidebar.)

The lonf-term obiective of the project?

To reclaim the wetland nature of the
meadow. The willows are expected to
return when this is achieved.

The first phase of the restoration project
initiated a stream assessment including
five long-term monitoring stations for
water quality, morphology, substrate,
and vegetation. Fishery assessments and
data from the monitoring stations have

.

Spring 1999

been used to compile species lists for fish
and plants.

To eliminate the use of the area by feral
horses and livestock, the project required
fencing the entire cienega. Horse traps
and elk exclosures were also installed.
The Tribe is responsible for monitoring
and maintaining the fences, traps and
exclosures.

The proposal for the restoration of Lofer
Cienega was submitted in the 1995
funding cycle. The White Mountain
Apache Tribe was awarded a grant of
$161 ,204 to conduct the first phase of
their restoration project. The first phase
will be completed this spring. The next
phase will continue the Tribe's restoration
efforts for the area. .

Big Sandy Riparian Project
BUREAU OF LAND MANAGEMENT

A habitat enhancement project for the
Artillery Range Allotment was modeled
on previously successful projects in the
Kingman Resource Area. The Artillery
Range Allotment includes 13.8 miles of
the Big Sandy River. In a 1988 inventory
of riparian area condition, 9.78 miles of
this reach was rated in "unsatisfactory
condition." Poor age class structure for
woody species, unstable banks, and
depleted wildlife habitat were observed
by range personnel.

The problem? Year long grazing along
the ban ks of the river.

The solution? Annually remove the
livestock from the Big Sandy River during
the growing season (from the beginning
of May to the end of September).

for livestock to utilize the entire
allotment, range improvements were
proposed. New water developments
would provide adequate water for
animals to graze the uplands.

Continued on Page 5