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Base
and Meridian (B&M) Wildlife Area -
Currently Closed to Public for Habitat Restoration
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 Beginning
in 1973, the Arizona Game and Fish Commission
acquired approximately 200 acres of river
and adjacent riparian habitat at the confluence
of the Salt River and Gila River just west
of the Phoenix metropolitan area. The B&M
Wildlife Area is located 17 miles west of
Phoenix at 115th Avenue and the Gila River
in Maricopa County, Arizona. Acquisition
of the B&M Wildlife Area was made possible
with cooperation of County, State and Federal
agencies including the Arizona Game and Fish
Commission, Bureau of Land Management, U.S.
Fish and Wildlife Service and Maricopa County's
Department of Transportation, and Flood Control
District.
- View a map of this wildlife area
Narrative Description
and Vegetation Types
The approximately 198-acre Base and Meridian (B&M) Wildlife Area is on
the north bank of the Gila River at the confluence with the Salt River
with the Gila River and contains primarily all riparian habitat in and
along the river and its associated upland banks. B&M contains riparian
vegetation assemblages of cottonwood, willow (Salix sp.), salt cedar (Tamarix
sp.), seep willow and desert broom (Baccharis sp.) and mesquite (Prosopis
sp.) and many other herbaceous and woody species. Many riparian obligate
wildlife species inhabit the area including several sensitive species.
The In 1973, the B&M parcel (122.94 acres) was granted to the Commission
through a Bureau of Land Management (BLM) Recreation and Public Purposes
(R&PP) land patent. The Amator (50 acres) and Harper (25.44 acres) parcels
are deeded Arizona Game and Fish Commission (Commission) properties. The
Commission purchased the Amator tract from private landowners in 1975.
The Harper parcel was acquired in 1987 in exchange for a material sales
agreement to mine sand and gravel on the Amator parcel.
Management Objective
Goals
The goal for management of the Base and Meridian Wildlife Area is to optimize
the habitat potential of the property for wildlife and for present and
future generations of the public to enjoy wildlife-oriented recreation.
Public Use Opportunities
and Resource Management Emphasis
The Base and Meridian Wildlife Area has been devoted to waterfowl and riparian
management. Management emphasis also includes protection of wetland and
riparian values and opportunities for recreational use.
Wildlife Species
Stream Habitat Species
The Base and Meridian Wildlife Area contains primarily all wetland, riparian
and riverbank habitat. Wetlands are extremely productive ecosystems that
sustain a disproportionately high percentage of threatened and endangered
species. Wetland and riparian habitats within B&M Wildlife Area provide
critical nesting, cover and food resources for many avian species, including
sensitive species. The riparian habitat common to the Gila River is recognized
as the highest quality nesting habitat for white-winged dove (Zenaida asiatica)
in Arizona. The property is equally valuable for mourning dove (Zenaida
macroura) nesting. Other species of significant value are Gambel's quail
(Callipepla gambelii), coots (Fulica americana), gallinules (Gallinula
chloropus) and other Shorebirds. The B&M Wildlife Area is also valuable
as habitat for Yuma clapper rails (Rallus longirostris yumanensis) and
other sensitive species.
Upland Habitat Species
The upland habitat at the B&M Wildlife Area is primarily stream bank and
Sonoran desert habitat. A host of bird, mammal, and reptile species use
the area because of its proximity to the river. A sample of the numerous
wildlife known or suspected to occur at the B&M Wildlife Area are: Common
yellowthroat (Geothlypis trichas), great blue heron (Ardea herodias), belted
kingfisher (Ceryle alcyon), Western screech-owl (Otus kennicottii), beaver
(Castor canadensis), bobcat (Felis rufus), desert kangaroo rat (Dipodomys
deserti), javelina (Tayassu tajacu), California kingsnake (Lampropeltis
getulus californiae), Sonoran mud turtle (Kinosternon sonoriense sonoriense),
and Western diamondback rattlesnake (Crotalus atrox).
Special Status Species occurring on or near the Base and Meridian Wildlife
Area have been identified through the Department's Heritage Data Management
System, and are listed below. This includes the federally endangered Yuma
clapper rail (Rallus longirostris yumanensis), and the Western yellow-billed
cuckoo (Coccyzus americanus occidentalis), a federally listed candidate
species.
Those special status species that potentially occur on or near the B&W
Wildlife Area include Lowland leopard frog (Rana yavapaiensis), Ferruginous
hawk (Buteo regalis), Great egret (Ardea alba), Loggerhead shrike (Lanius
ludovicianus), Osprey (Pandion haliaetus), American peregrine falcon (Falco
peregrinus anatum), Southwestern willow flycatcher (Empidonax traillii
extimus), California leaf-nosed bat (Macrotus californicus), Greater Western
mastiff bat (Eumops perotis californicus), and Sonoran desert tortoise
(Gopherus agassizii).
| Special
Status Species - Species
Abstracts | Status
Codes |
| Common
Name |
Scientific
Name |
Status |
| Birds [View
abstracts] |
| Black-bellied
whistling-duck |
Dendrocygna
autumnalis |
WSC |
| Western
least bittern |
Ixobrychus
exilis hesperis |
SC,WSC |
| Western
yellow-billed cuckoo |
Coccyzus
americanus occidentalis |
C,S,3,WSC |
| Yuma
clapper rail |
Rallus
longisrostris yumanensis |
LE,WSC |
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