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| Type: | Resource | |
| Storage: | The size of this resource is 36.5 MB | |
| Created: | Feb 29, 2024 at 11:50 a.m. (UTC) | |
| Last updated: | Jan 23, 2026 at 8:46 p.m. (UTC) (Metadata update) | |
| Published date: | Jan 23, 2026 at 8:46 p.m. (UTC) | |
| DOI: | 10.4211/hs.82c2b15884b04af49cff6cdc8c261cb0 | |
| Citation: | See how to cite this resource | |
| Content types: | File Set Content Single File Content |
| Sharing Status: | Published |
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| Views: | 50 |
| Downloads: | 3 |
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Abstract
In arid regions with limited water supplies like the Colorado River basin of the southwestern U.S., healthy riparian ecosystems may seem in conflict with human water use. However, this is not always the case; indeed, they may be interdependent. In this paper, we use a long-term dataset of topographic, vegetation, and groundwater data collected over water years 2011–2021 to demonstrate recovery of functional connectivity between a river and its floodplain despite previous human impacts and continued human use. In the Cliff-Gila Valley of southwestern New Mexico, historical levee construction after 1940 profoundly altered the floodplain and river channel of the Gila River, a Colorado River tributary. This work ceased by the mid-1980s and over time, river anastomosis during subsequent floods reclaimed the broader floodplain, regenerating diverse native habitat. The study period spanned two high-flow events, numerous smaller floods, and seasonal dry periods. Even the lowest perennial flows (0.4–0.6 m3 s-1) sustained favorable rates of groundwater recession, supporting riparian seedling recruitment in the topographic lows created by floodplain secondary channels. Alluvial groundwater receded more sharply in a reach seasonally dewatered by irrigation diversions, but seepage through diversion structures and unlined ditches provided small yet important sources of hyporheic flow. This study demonstrates that the river’s natural flow regime (or a similar range of seasonal flows) creates conditions where human activities co-exist with robust native habitat and highlights the importance of long-term datasets for documenting ecosystem resilience, including to hydrologic drought and ongoing climate change.
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Credits
Funding Agencies
This resource was created using funding from the following sources:
| Agency Name | Award Title | Award Number |
|---|---|---|
| USDA Gila National Forest | None | None |
| The Nature Conservancy | None | None |
| New Mexico Department of Game and Fish | None | None |
Contributors
People or Organizations that contributed technically, materially, financially, or provided general support for the creation of the resource's content but are not considered authors.
| Name | Organization | Address | Phone | Author Identifiers |
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| Dave Propst | ||||
| Dave Gori |
How to Cite
This resource is shared under the Creative Commons Attribution CC BY.
http://creativecommons.org/licenses/by/4.0/
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