The north and
east sides of the San Francisco Peaks
provide excellent summer and winter habitat for wide variety of
game and non-game species,
except for a dependable source of water. While there are numerous
earthen tanks and some
natural depressions, there is no dependable supply of water
throughout the 200-300 square
miles under discussion. The Pat Springs Pipeline, a 40 mile long
spring fed water supply, was
originally built in the mid 1950’s to provide water for
livestock on numerous pastures throughout
the grazing allotment but it fell into disrepair by the late
1980’s. The Coconino Sportsmen were
approached by the Forest Service in late 1996 to rehabilitate and
operate the pipeline for 5
years and an agreement was signed at that time. The Coconino
Sportsmen were members of the
Flagstaff HPC and received partial funding for that initial 5 year
period. Since that time,
additional funding for 6 more years was received as well as several
enhancements above normal
maintenance and operation, including below ground, year round
storage tanks and drinkers. All
parties involved, including the USFS, AZG&F, HPC
“partners” and numerous others have
documented the widespread benefits to all species in the effected
area. The Coconino
Sportsmen have entered into a new agreement for continued operation
and maintenance.
Continuing our funding through the HPC process will enable the
Coconino Sportsmen to operate,
maintain and improve this valuable resource/water
supply.
The objective is to provide a
dependable water supply for multiple wildlife species on
approximately 100 square miles of critical wildlife range through
the continuing operation and maintenance of the Pat Springs
Pipeline. The main line, stretching over 40 miles with
approximately 15 storage tanks and 33 drinkers with a total
capacity of over 400,000 gallons, needs to be drained each fall,
with over 100 drains, then reassembled in the spring, once
temperatures can no longer cause freeze damage. The entire pipeline
normally operates between early May and mid October with additional
water provided from storage tanks to below ground drinkers year
round on the most northern and eastern portion of the project at
the lowest elevations.
