Roosevelt Lake Wildlife Area | Arizona Wildlife Conservation Strategy

Roosevelt Lake provides quality lentic habitat with riparian vegetation along some of the banks and Sonoran desertscrub in the uplands. Roosevelt Lake is the largest lake in central Arizona and lies within the Tonto Basin, a low-elevation Sonoran desertscrub habitat zone. As such, lakeshore vegetation in undisturbed areas is composed of a saguaro, mesquite, and palo verde. Near the lakeshore, fluctuating water levels result in a “bathtub ring” of early successional habitats which can vary considerably from year to year, depending on recent water levels and precipitation regimes. In general, this zone tends to be vegetated with cockle burr, Bermuda grass, and other annual grasses and forbs, which also provide an important food source for wintering geese. If lake levels have not risen into this zone for several years, some intrusion by mesquite and other shrubs can occur.

Conservation Goals

Improve native vegetation and soil recovery of fire-affected areas.
Maintain healthy species populations through monitoring, relevant conservation actions, reintroductions and habitat improvements.
Improve wildlife water availability across the landscape.
Manage the Roosevelt Lake Wildlife Area for waterfowl by providing and enhancing foraging and resting areas.

Map

Primary Threats

3. Climate Change and Severe Weather

3.1: Habitat shifting and alteration

3.2: Droughts

3.3: Temperature extremes

3.4: Storms and flooding

4. Residential and Commercial Development

4.1: Housing and urban areas

4.2: Commercial and industrial areas

4.3: Tourism and recreation areas

7. Human Intrusions and Disturbance

7.1: Recreational activities

8. Invasive and Other Problematic Species

8.1: Invasive non-native species

9. Natural System Modifications

9.1: Fire and fire suppression

9.2: Dams and water management

Potential Conservation Actions

1. Land and Water Protection

1.2: Resource and habitat protection

Monitor and augment artificial and natural wildlife water availability across the landscape

2. Land and Water Management

2.2: Invasive/problematic species control

Continue removal and management of invasive grass species in order to reduce fuel loads.
Remove salt cedar within riparian areas and replace with native broadleaf riparian plants.

3. Species Management

3.1: Management of specific species of concern

Implement long-term monitoring protocols for native species and habitats to inform adaptive management.

3.2: Species recovery

Implement long-term monitoring protocols for SGCN and habitats to inform adaptive management. Implement species-specific recovery plans for any species affected by the fire.

5. Law and Policy

5.2: Policies and regulations

Increase enforcement of wildlife area rules in order to better manage and protect natural resources.

7. External Capacity Building

7.2: Alliance and partnership development

Share information with local agencies and form long term monitoring plans to determine long term effects of fire within Sonoran Desert communities.
Continue partnerships with non-governmental organizations for management of the area and funding opportunities.