Introduction
The principal reason that Reach 11
exists is for flood control. Water flowing down from Cave Creek and some
smaller drainages is captured behind an earthen dam that parallels the north
side of the Central Arizona Project Canal for some 11 km (7 miles). This dam
keeps flood waters out of the canal and out of housing developments to the
south. A kilometer-wide strip of floodable desert running the length of this
dam is called Reach 11 - a Phoenix Parks and Recreation Area. Numerous hiking,
biking and equestrian trails crisscross this area.
Silt and sand carried down by the force of flood waters
has already accumulated behind the dam and in some spots there is a significant
accumulation of ground water that supports mesquite bosques and even a few
cottonwoods. Blue Palo Verde, Desert Hackberry, Gray Thorn, Ironwood and Salt
Bush species have grown very well in this habitat often produce abundant crops
of seed. Birds and mammals are likewise abundant making this area attractive to
both wildlife and wildlife watchers. Wintering sparrows can be quite abundant
and there are many coyotes. After heavy rain there are ponds that can take
weeks or months to dry up.
Eventually this area will become less favorable for
more and more plants as the evaporating water leaves salts ... salt tolerant
plants will predominate. Already there are crusts of white salt in the lowest
lying areas.
Adapted from Phoenix Parks & Rec. Map.
:
usually no or very few blooms open
: a
few scattered blooms likely to be seen
: quite
a few blooms likely to be seen, depending on past rainfall
:
abundant blooms dependent on favorable rainfall
