| Ownership |
Bureau of Land Management, Taos NM |
| Habitats |
Forest (45%, riparian, piñon/juniper,
temperate coniferous), Grassland (5%), Shrubland (40%), Rocks (10%) |
| Land-use |
Nature conservation, Hunting, Water management |
| Threats |
Grazing, Rafting, Fishing |
| Site Criteria |
State conservation species (D1) |
| Site Description |
The Upper Rio
Grande Gorge starts at the Colorado border, extends along the river to below
Taos and includes approximately 25 miles of the Rio Grande Wild and
Scenic River. Its dominant features are the
200-2600 foot width and 300-800 foot deep gorges
carved gorges into the basalt lava flows. Landforms in the complex also include
the forested higher elevations and vast shrub and grass-covered, rolling mesas.
Elevations range from 7000 feet on the mesa scrublands to 9500. Piñon/juniper
woodlands cover the higher areas. On the high mesa
are also numerous natural depressions with no natural outlets thus feeding the
aquifers of the Rio Grande Watershed. These are crucial water sources in
an otherwise arid environment. The area provides a diversity of habitats from
riparian to the forests of the high mesas. Riparian vegetation lining the rivers
include cottonwood, willow, boxelder, snowberry, mountain mahogany, golden
currant, and gooseberry, as well as a variety of grasses. The canyon walls and
high uplands contain conifer woodlands, blue spruce, white fir, ponderosa pine
and piñon pine, juniper and Douglas fir. These areas contain chipmunk,
squirrel, beaver, porcupine, mule deer, elk, gray fox, coyote, badger, bear,
bobcat, and mountain lion. Archaeological sites show human occupation of the area
date back 7000 years. |
| Birds |
The area is important for New Mexico threatened and endangered
species and Partners in Flight priority species. The gorge supports
a great diversity of passerine birds, including the Southwestern Willow
Flycatcher. Canyon walls provide habitat for hawks and eagles. |
| Conservation Issues |
Part of the Wild and Scenic River Program and as
such should be protected from most conservation problems. Some non-native
invasive plant species occur along this area of the river. |
| Conservation Plan |
|
| Monitor(s) |
None assigned |
| Nominator |
None listed |
| Sources |
Breeding bird assemblages in the Rio Grande Wild and
Scenic River Recreation area, New Mexico; Stahlecker, D.W., et al. The SW
Naturalist 34(4):487-498. (DWS) |
| Links |
Rio Grande Wild and Scenic River
New Mexico Wilderness Alliance |
| Directions |
The easiest access is from NM-378 which goes west
from NM-522 about 4 miles north of Questa and takes you to the Wild Rivers
National Recreation Area. |
