The Cold Springs Ranch (CSR) is a 155-acre property located approximately 8 miles north east of Payson in Gila County. The CSR sits along Ellison Creek and has water rights to the Cold Spring, located within the property. The CSR was purchased by the Arizona Game and Fish Commission in 2019 through its Heritage Fund for the conservation and protection of native species. The property will be developed as a hatchery to produce Gila trout for recreational stockings within their historic range. These stockings will help promote and gain support for Gila trout recovery projects. Additionally, Ellison Creek supports a dense population of speckled dace and has the potential to support the recovery of narrow-headed gartersnake on the property.
