Silver City, N.M. – The Upper Gila Watershed Alliance received funding from the New Mexico Environment Department River Stewardship Program to restore Adair Spring, a tributary of the San Francisco River in the Quemado District of the Gila National Forest. This project was one of many in the River Stewardship Program, whose objective is to construct projects that improve surface water quality or river habitat statewide.

The Adair Spring restoration project will improve spring and wetland habitat in an area that has been impacted by both elk and livestock. These animals have congregated in the spring and adjacent stream as it has been an easily accessible water source, which this area lacks during the dry spring months. Streambanks and native plants were impacted and headcuts had started at the upper end of the spring area. These conditions degraded the spring's wildlife habitat and decreased water quality. In spring of this year, a Catron County contractor and his employees constructed a pipe and cable exclosure fence around Adair Spring, the adjacent stream, and surrounding uplands to prevent livestock and elk from accessing the spring. The Forest Service recently drilled a new well in the area and is constructing drinkers outside of the exclosure to provide water sources for livestock and elk.

In recent years, the Forest Service has constructed a few pipe and cable fences to keep livestock out of some sensitive springs and streams in the Gila National Forest where there are other nearby livestock water sources. These sturdy fences are better able to withstand pressure from livestock while still allowing wildlife access to surface water. As funding permits, the Forest Service is also replacing old barbed wire fences that are in disrepair with pipe and cable fences that require almost no maintenance.

"Fencing sensitive riparian areas is a cost-effective way to protect the Gila National Forest's springs and streams," said Project Manager Donna Stevens of the Upper Gila Watershed Alliance. "As the American Southwest becomes hotter and drier, it's increasingly important to safeguard our water."

This project was a collaboration between the New Mexico Environment Department, the Forest Service, and the Upper Gila Watershed Alliance, a southwest New Mexico watershed protection nonprofit. The funding was provided by the New Mexico Environment Department's River Stewardship Program.