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AZGFD investigation: Horseshoe Lake fish died from low oxygen levels
PHOENIX — The significant fish die-off last week on the Verde River below Horseshoe Dam was the result of a lack of oxygen, and not because of anything found in the river, according to a water-quality investigation compiled by the Arizona Game and Fish Department.
On Thursday and Friday, the Department collected water-quality samples, analyzing fish for bacteria, viruses and parasites. The fish die-off was in an area approximately 100 yards downstream from Horseshoe Dam, which is operated and managed by Salt River Project for the Bureau of Reclamation.
It is estimated that approximately 20,000 fish were killed. About 60 to 70 percent were goldfish and carp. The remaining fish species were comprised of largemouth bass, flathead catfish, channel catfish, and bluegill. The Department believes that most of the fish killed were from Horseshoe Lake and that only a small fraction may have been from the Verde River below Horseshoe Dam.
On June 1, SRP began releasing approximately 1,000 cubic feet of water per second from Horseshoe Lake. SRP empties Horseshoe Lake each year to comply with the Horseshoe-Bartlett Habitat Conservation Plan (H-BHCP), which was established with the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service under the authority of the Endangered Species Act (ESA) to protect endangered species from potential impacts of SRP’s operation of Bartlett and Horseshoe dams.
Mitigation activities in the H-BHCP, including the annual rapid draw-down of Horseshoe Lake, were developed to benefit native birds, native fish and reptiles in the upper Verde River that are listed as threatened or endangered under the ESA. Specifically, the draw-down of the reservoir increases riparian nesting habitat availability for the southwestern willow flycatcher and yellow-billed cuckoo, while decreasing the numbers of non-native fish species that may compete with, or prey upon, native fish in the upper Verde River.
By June 28, the reservoir was nearly empty. As the reservoir level decreased, the fish in Horseshoe were concentrated in an increasingly smaller area. Sediment that was disturbed as the water was being drawn down consumed dissolved oxygen, resulting the low oxygen levels and causing the die-off.
As the last of the water was released from Horseshoe, the dead and dying fish were passed through the dam into the Verde River. Some of these fish may eventually drift down to Bartlett Lake.
In the meantime, it is important for anglers to remember they should not be taking these dead or dying fish.
Finishing work on SR 98 west of the US 160 Junction
Arizona Department of Transportation crews will be performing finishing work to complete construction on a 9-mile segment of SR 98 (milepost 340 to 349); west of the US 160 Junction towards Page from Wednesday (July 6) through Wednesday (July 13). Work will take place weekdays during daylight hours only. Travel will be reduced to one lane with a pilot car to allow for alternating travel in the area.
What to expect:
- Traffic will be reduced to one lane during construction
- Pilot car escort will allow for alternating travel through the work zone
- Anticipate 15 minute delays during lane closures
- Work scheduled for weekdays only, early morning to sunset
Please allow for extra time for travel in the area. There will be reduced speeds and lane restrictions at various locations during work hours and flaggers will be used to guide vehicles through the work zone.
Summer Wildlife Series continues with mountain lions
KINGMAN — The secretive, shy and elusive mountain lion will be the subject of a free, one-hour presentation July 8 at the Kingman Mohave County Library, 3269 N. Burbank St., in Kingman.
This will be the third installment of the popular Summer Wildlife Series, hosted by the Arizona Game and Fish Department’s regional office in Kingman. The main portion of the library will be open to accommodate a larger crowd.
Jeff Pebworth, terrestrial wildlife program manager, will discuss biology, myths, perceptions and management of the predator, whose population in Arizona is robust and healthy, even expanding in some areas. He also will explain why one of the biggest dangers associated with mountain lions is the feeding of other wildlife.
“We get lion calls quite often,” Pebworth said. “This presentation will help the public understand the difference between normal lion behavior and other behaviors of concern. There also are a lot of stories associated with lions that simply aren’t true.”
Pebworth plans to share some of the more entertaining calls that his office has received about mountain lions.
The Summer Wildlife Series concludes July 29 with a presentation on “Habitat and Wildlife.” For more information, call (928) 692-7700.
Come net bats with the Arizona Game and Fish Department
PHOENIX — The Arizona Game and Fish Department is offering a chance to accompany biologists on an evening of bat netting along the Verde River, north of Scottsdale, on Friday, July 8, 7-10 p.m.
Arizona is home to 28 species of bats, many of which live and forage right in our own back yards. This event is your chance to see these fascinating and often misunderstood creatures in person.
“We’ve had good luck netting bats along the Verde,” said Randy Babb, watchable wildlife program manager for the Arizona Game and Fish Department. “We typically capture four to five species and sometimes get something unusual, which can be really exciting. Captured bats will be identified, examined, and released unharmed.”
In addition to bats, Babb said other species that might be encountered include rattlesnakes and other reptiles, along with owls and various rodents.
“It’s a really nice way to spend a warm summer evening,” said Babb.
There is a registration fee of $25 for each person. Participation is limited to 30 people. Children must be over 10 years of age to participate.
To register or for more information, contact Joe Yarchin at (623) 236-7589 or email jyarchin@azgfd.gov.
Two lightning caused wildfires to be managed on Tusayan Ranger District
TUSAYAN — Fire officials on the Tusayan Ranger District of the Kaibab National Forest are managing two new fire starts called the “Scott” and “Airstrip” fires. The Scott fire was discovered June 28, and has grown to approximately 5 acres in size. It is located in a remote area on the Coconino rim near forest road 310 eleven miles east of Tusayan. The Airstrip Fire was discovered on June 29, and is currently 6 acres in size. The Airstrip fire is located just south of the town of Tusayan on the east side of highway 64.
The Scott Fire is burning in a pinyon juniper and ponderosa pine fuel type on the northeast slope of the Coconino rim in the Upper Basin. A temporary detour has been put in place on a section of the Arizona Trail between the Grand View lookout tower and forest road 311 north of Russell tank. Trail users are asked to follow directions posted along the trail and avoid areas where active fire is present.
The Airstrip fire is burning in a predominant ponderosa pine stand adjacent to the Grand Canyon airport and will be visible from the community of Tusayan and from highway 64. Both fires will be allowed to move within a predetermined planning area for the purpose of reducing hazardous fuel accumulations and restoring overall forest health.
“With the recent arrival of monsoon rains, conditions in the forest have become favorable for us to utilize both of these fires to significantly improve the landscape” said Josh Miller Assistant Fire Management Officer on the Tusayan Ranger District. “We recognize the concern people have about the Airstrip fire being managed relatively close to the community. By allowing moderate ground fire to clean up this critical piece of forest south of the developed areas, fuels loads will decrease creating a safeguard in front of the community. The end result will reduce a future threat of a potentially devastating wildfire running straight toward the town from the south.”
Weather conditions are expected to vary on a daily basis which will influence changes in fire behavior and growth patterns as both these fires begin to progress.
Smoke may be visible from the Grand Canyon village, the communities of Tusayan, Cameron, Valle, and from Highways 64 and 180. Fire managers will monitor smoke impacts closely and will employ extra measures as necessary to minimize smoke impacts to the surrounding residential areas.
Deadline near to enter Arizona Big Game Super Raffle July 8
PHOENIX — As the deadline draws near to enter the 11th annual “Arizona Big Game Super Raffle,” the Arizona Game and Fish Department is receiving inquiries about what the raffle is and how it works.
The raffle is conducted by a nonprofit entity to raise money for wildlife conservation efforts. A volunteer board of directors, comprised of representatives from sponsoring organizations, oversees the operation of the raffle.
Here’s how it works: The Arizona Game and Fish Commission awards the Arizona Big Game Super Raffle a total of 10 Special Big Game Tags, one for each of the state’s big game species — bighorn sheep, elk, mule deer, white-tailed deer, pronghorn antelope, bison, turkey, bear, javelina and mountain lion.
Raffle tickets then are made available for $5 to $25 each, depending on species. Raffle tickets can be ordered online (www.arizonabiggamesuperraffle.com), or by requesting an order form by mail (AZBGSR, P.O. Box 41355, Mesa, AZ 85274). There is no limit on how many raffle tickets can be ordered.
Every dollar raised for each species through the raffle is returned to the department and managed by the Arizona Habitat Partnership Committee (AHPC) for that particular species. With input from local habitat partners across the state and sponsoring organizations involved in the fundraising, project priorities are determined that will provide the most benefit to each species.
According to the Arizona Big Game Super Raffle website, mail orders must be received by Friday, July 8. The deadline to order raffle tickets online is 10 p.m. (MST) Sunday, July 10. Winners will be permitted to hunt for 365 days between Aug. 15, 2016 and Aug. 14, 2017, in most game management units statewide.
The names of the winners will be drawn at 6 p.m. Thursday, July 21, during the Sportsmen’s Open Forum at department headquarters (Quail Room), 5000 W. Carefree Highway, Phoenix. The drawing will be webcast at www.azgfd.gov/webcast. Winners do not need to be present. Winners will be contacted by phone.
For more information, visit www.arizonabiggamesuperraffle.com.
July 7 is deadline to update credit card information for online fall draw
PHOENIX — The Arizona Game and Fish Department reminds hunters who applied online for 2016 fall hunt permit-tags that 11:59 p.m. (MST) July 7 is the deadline to update their credit card or debit card account information.
Online applicants are responsible for keeping their account information current. If a credit card or debit card is invalid for any reason at the time when the computerized draw is performed, an online application could be rejected.
Online applicants who have been issued a new credit card or debit card, a new expiration date, or had a change to their card’s number should visit https://draw.azgfd.gov/paymentUpdate/index. Note: It is important to update payment information for each species for which an online application has been submitted.
If payment has been declined, the department will make three attempts within two business days to contact the payee and/or “Applicant A” on the online application. That individual then will be afforded a means of providing alternative payment within a specified timeframe. If payment has not been received by the end of that specified timeframe, applicants will be rejected. No exceptions will be made for online applicants who do not respond to the department’s attempts to contact them.
Applicants also can purchase “PointGuard,” as part of their online application, through 11:59 p.m. (MST) July 7. The innovative new program provides hunters with peace of mind in knowing they can surrender their hunt permit-tag for any reason without losing their coveted bonus points. Information: https://www.azgfd.com/hunting/pointguard.
The department will post an announcement on its website, www.azgfd.gov, when results of the 2016 fall hunt draw become available. All permit-tags will be mailed by Aug. 5; all refund warrants will be mailed by Aug. 15. Information: (602) 942-3000.
Two university students rescued from Mount Wilson
FLAGSTAFF — The Coconino County Sheriff’s Office Search and Rescue Unit coordinated the rescue of two hikers stranded on Wilson Mountain on Friday morning 7/1/16.
Around 7:15 PM on Thursday 6/30/16 the regional 911 Center in Flagstaff received a call from two hikers who had become stranded by cliffs on the south face of Wilson Mountain north of the city of Sedona. The hikers had started their hike around 2:00 PM and got off trail around 4:00 PM. They continued to hike up the mountain until they became stuck on rock cliffs.
Coconino County Sheriff’s Deputies responded along with Sheriff’s Search and Rescue crews. Two search crews hiked trails up to the area, but were unable to reach the hikers due to the cliffs and nightfall. Searchers had contact with the subject and were able to establish the hikers were alright and had the hikers shelter in place until morning.
At daylight, a Coconino County Search and Rescue Technical team along with a Sedona Fire Technical team responded to the area. The Arizona Department of Public Safety helicopter from Tucson was responding to the area, but was cancelled when the Flagstaff Helicopter became available.
The Flagstaff Ranger helicopter located the stranded hikers from the air and and maneuvered a one skid landing on the cliff. The helicopter medic was able to scramble up to the hikers and walk them back down to the helicopter. They were flown off the mountain to Slide Rock State Park. Both hikers were examined by Sedona Fire medics and released with no injuries.
The hikers were both in their early 20’s and students of Arizona State University (ASU) and Mesa Community College.
Skeletal Remains Located North of Jacob Lake
FREDONIA — Around 10:00 AM 7/1/2016 the Coconino County Sheriff’s Office received a call from the Kane County, Utah Sheriff’s Office advising that a rancher had located human skeletal remains between Fredonia and Jacob Lake, AZ.
A local rancher was working his cattle range area just south of State Highway 89A and located the remains, clothing, boots and a daypack under a tree.
Coconino County Sheriff’s Deputies responded to the area and are currently processing the scene. Deputies did locate a handgun under the remains. Deputies and detectives are checking missing person cases and attempting to identify the remains.