Arizona Wildlife Conservation Strategy

Horseshoe Ranch Pond COA

As part of the in-perpetuity management of the property, the Department intends to manage the existing pond for the roundtail chub, Gila topminnow, desert pupfish, longfin dace, lowland leopard frogs, and northern Mexican gartersnake. Northern Mexican gartersnakes were translocated into the pond beginning in October 2017. The Department monitors and actively removes bullfrogs, crayfish, and any other non-native species from the pond by netting, trapping, or shooting if either species are detected. Bullfrogs were eliminated from the pond during renovations in 2012, which included adding and maintaining a perimeter fence to preclude re-colonization. A breeding population of bullfrogs remains in the Agua Fria River in areas adjacent to the Ranch, and routine maintenance of the pond perimeter fence is required to keep them out.

Watershed

Agua Fria River

Map

Conservation Potential

High

Management Priority

Native Aquatic Species Management (Native Aquatic Species-Self-sustaining)

Primary Strategy Species

Fish

Desert Pupfish, Gila Topminnow, Longfin Dace, Roundtail Chub

Amphibians

Lowland Leopard Frog

Reptiles

Mexican Gartersnake

Secondary Strategy Species