Arizona Wildlife Conservation Strategy

Sharp Spring Complex COA

Sharp, Sheehy, and Heron Springs are a series of spring-fed cienegas in the San Rafael Valley. All three springs were historically occupied by populations of Gila topminnow. Sheehy Spring is located on private land and is currently occupied by the only remaining population of upper Santa Cruz River roundtail chub. Sharp Spring and Sheehy Spring are also occupied by non-native western mosquitofish. Ongoing management for Sheehy Spring includes periodic monitoring of the chub population. Ongoing management for Sharp Spring includes efforts to eradicate western mosquitofish from the spring in order to reintroduce Sharp Spring lineage Gila topminnow. Heron Spring is in need of management efforts to improve water quality, particularly dissolved oxygen levels.

Watershed

Santa Cruz River

Map

Conservation Potential

High

Management Priority

Native Aquatic Species Management (Native Aquatic - Self Sustaining)

Primary Strategy Species

Fish

Gila Topminnow, Roundtail Chub

Secondary Strategy Species