VIRTUAL/PERSONAL FIELD TRIP LAB---A RIVER OR STREAM NEAR YOU

1.       What is the name of your chosen river or stream?

The lake I chose to visit was Watson Lake located in the Granite Dells.

2.       In general, where is its location in your state? How far is it from your home?

Watson Lake is located in Prescott, Arizona.  It is located approximately 20 minutes from my home.

3.       Insert a photo that you took of the location you will address in this lab.

4.       Insert a photo of you at this location.

5.       Into what river does this body of water flow?

Watson Lake flows into Granite Creek that was dammed up in the early 1900’s to create Watson Lake.

6.       Name three native fish in this body of water. Write their common names and scientific names using one of these formats:

There are 34 native fish in Arizona listed on the Arizona Game and Fish Department website but, none of these match the names of fish listed in Watson Lake. 

7.       Name three non-native fish here. Write their common names and scientific names using proper format as above.

Crappie (proxomis), bluegills (Lepomis Macrochirus) , green sunfish (Lepomis Cyanellus)(http://www.arizona-leisure.com/watson-lake.html)

8.       Who is the managing agency for this river or stream?

City of Prescott Parks and Recreation bought the rights to the lake in 1997 and have managed the lake since.

9.       What is the mission of this agency?

The mission statement taken off of the City of Prescott website states: “To preserve, protect and enhance the parklands, public open spaces, trails and lakes of the City of Prescott for the benefit of its citizens and the ecological health of the region. To maintain leisure services system that is responsive to and directed by the diverse and changing needs of the community we serve. To plan for the future growth and expansion of park facilities, lake properties, open spaces, trails, recreation programs and library services. To construct, operate and maintain parks, recreation facilities, trails and library services in a safe, aesthetically pleasing and efficient manner.” (www.cityof Prescott.net)

10.   Why are native fish important? (Think specifically about one of the three principles of sustainability.)

Native fish are important to the environment because they are good for the ecosystem.  If we take in fish that are not native it affects our ecosystem. Native fish are also important to the state’s identity and culture. According to the video we watch from Mayer Von Gausig’s only about half of are native fish exsist due Humans, Dams and the non-native fish introduced to our lakes and rivers.

11.   Name five local fish that are at risk in your area and why each is at risk. If no fish are at risk, why are they doing well? Write their common names and scientific names using one of these formats:

Yaqui catfish (Ictalurus pricei) 
Bonytail chub (Gila elegans) 
Chub, Gila Entire (Gila intermedia) 
Chub, humpback Entire (Gila cypha) 
Chub, Virgin River Entire (Gila seminuda (=robusta)) 
http://ecos.fws.gov/tess_public/pub/stateListingIndividual.jsp?state=AZ&status=listed

These are five fish that are endangered in Arizona but, I did not find them where I live. There are many reasons why native fish are endangered they include pollution, water supply, predators, fishing and the non-native fish kill them off. 

12.  View Mayor Von Gausig’s videos. Compare the Verde River with your chosen body of water. To do so, while at the site note, and discuss in a nice paragraph or two, characteristics of the channel, width and depth of river, vegetation, human population influences, wildlife, and anything else that might be significant. If you choose the Verde River, describe it in terms of the criteria, above

Watson Lake is a 70 acre man -made lake with an average depth of 50 feet.  Vegetation at Watson Lake includes Aspen, Cottonwood, Oak trees and various other vegetation.  Many visitors enjoy going to Watson Lake to fish, bird watch, hike and go out on the lake in their boats.  Watson Lake features an Audobon endorsed bird watching area.  Wildlife includes over a 100 species of birds, antelope, deer and rabbits. 

This Lake is hard to compare to the Verde River because that is a running body of water.  The pictures I took at Watson Lake do not do it justice because it is usually a rich blue color.  Since doing this project I was surprised to read about the pollution that took place in Watson Lake and why swimming is not allowed at this lake.  All in all this lake has a beautiful panoramic view of rocks, vegetation and wildlife.    

13.   Name two things you learned from your research that surprised you or two things you were especially interested in.

I was surprised that there were no native fish in Watson Lake.  I was also surprised that it was difficult to find factual information on the lake verses opinions and reviews for tourists.

14.   What are two new questions you now have about rivers, streams, fish, management, or anything else you discovered?

I would like to do more research on why we are not stocking the lakes with native fish of Arizona and why the native fish are so unfamiliar to me.