ADOPT-a-WASH

Introduction

A dry wash, Corgett Wash itself is one of the federally protected dry washes under the Waters of the U.S. regulations that limits construction and recreational activities in the immediate area.

The purpose of this Web site is to help educate the community and visitors about the plants and animals found in Corgett Wash. The Sonoran Desert and its washes are fragile areas easily susceptible to damage by overuse. After the spring and summer rains, what appears to be infertile dirt quickly turn into havens for wild flowers, grasses, and other plants.

The Estrella Mountain Ranch Community and its managers share a responsibly for Corgett Wash. Without an understanding of the impact of different kinds of human activity, the wash, as a Sonoran desert riparian habitat, will quickly deteriorate. This is not a new process. Before the community was established, the wash and its plant life were altered by the combination of droughts and grazing. Grasses and riparian trees such as willow and cottonwood that may have flourished here have disappeared as have many varieties of cactus. The loss of plants has led to the loss of topsoil and humus that make it possible for these areas to regenerate. Birds and animals that depend on the plants for food and cover have also gone.

Observing, recording, and understanding the seasonal changes along Corgett Wash is the first step in maintaining this small but significant portion of our Sonoran desert heritage.

These pictures have been selected to illustrate the cycle of the winter and summer rains and ensuing flowering of annual and perennial wildflowers. At the same time, it is an introduction to the role of the small and large washes as a haven for the curiously adapted desert plants.

Estrella Mountains and Corgett Wash

Unlike South Mountain, Camelback, and others which were formed 22 million years ago, the Estrella Mountains are part of a group of newer mountains that are positioned on a North South axis and were pushed up about 14 million years ago. The peak is at 4,119 feet above sea level. Much of the water flowing to the west from the Estrellas flows through Corgett Wash into the Gila River and continues westward to the Colorado River and the Sea of Cortez. The prevailing winds, however, are from the West and bring moisture from the Pacific that falls both in the Sonoran Desert where we live and also along the rain shadow of the Mogollon Rim that rises to the North of us, past Payson and Flagstaff. This moisture also find its way back to us through the Salt, Verde, and other rivers that flow into the Gila. This process can be seen in July when the thunder clouds build over the Mogollon Rim to the North of the Valley.

Photos

           
This is the view after turning south at exit 126 on Interstate Highway 10 and approaching the Estrella Mountains. Clouds can be seen bringing moisture from the Pacific. Early morning clouds reflected in the rising sun above the mountains. Palo verde and saguaro silhouetted against the mountains.

                   
5-10 Rain can be seen falling over the Estrella and White Tank Mountains and a bolt of lightning crosses the sky.

                               
11-19 Corgett Wash on a clear day looking towards the Estrella Mountains in the East. The ironwood is the largest surviving tree and continues to provide shelter for plants and animals along the wash. The ironwood owes its survival to its deep roots and tough wood that makes it unsuitable for many human uses.

       
20-22 Fast flowing water removes small particles leaving the larger boulders exposed. The channel cuts different paths through the wash carrying nutrients and debris from plants upstream. Traditional agriculture used washes and their nutrients to grow crops, sometimes by building small temporary dams across the washes.

       
23-25 Agriculture and roadside pesticides create their own patterns in the desert in the West Valley. Developers create new drainage systems.

                           
26-33 These are views along the pedestrian trail that follows Corgett Wash. The hardy creosote bushes and older saguaros are prevalent throughout the area. Very little topsoil remains. Small clouds can be seen forming over the White Tank Mountains as a result of recent rains.

                           
34-41 The smaller washes that flow into Corgett Wash illustrate the effect of increased water on the desert plant life. Palo verde, ironwood, creosote bushes and other plants flourish. Clouds can be seen hanging over the Estrella Mountains. Estrella Mountain Ranch communities are unique in that the natural drainage patterns of the area have been preserved.

                       
42-48 Corgett Wash drains into the Gila River. The flood plain, reduced in size by stone banks and drained of water, no longer supports the cottonwood and willow forests. Plans are in the works to restore this area and other parts of the river bed. An example can be found at the waste treatment center upstream to the east. The sample cottonwood and sunflowers were found at Cotton Lane and Route 10. A wetland area remains further to the west at Jackrabbit and Elliot.

   
49-50 A rainbow to the north introduces the colors found in the flowers that follow.

                                                                                                                           
51-82 This is a selection of 25 different flowers or flowering plants found along Corgett Wash, among them the blue: lupine and desert bell, the orange: globemallow, yellow: desert marigolds and Mexican gold poppy, white: desert tobacco and desert chicory, and the violet/purple scorpion weed.

   
83-84 In the summer months dust storms may obscure the mountains.

       
85-87 Summer rains in July color the sunsets as does the smoke from brush fires in California.

A final view of the Estrellas.