Created Wetlands In Northern
Arizona
Site Description
The created
wetlands at Pintail Lake and Redhead Marsh are located 4 miles north of the
City of Show Low, Arizona. This is in the high country of northeastern Arizona.
The wetlands are on National Forest Service Lands administered by the
Apache/Sitgreaves National Forests.
|
Weather
Summary
|
Month |
Average
High Temp. |
Average
Low Temp. |
Historic
Record Low |
Average
Precip. |
Jan
Feb
Mar
Apr
May
Jun
Jul
Aug
Sep
Oct
Nov
Dec |
44.2°F
48.3°F
53.8°F
63.9°F
73.0°F
82.8°F
85.5°F
82.9°F
79.4°F
68.5°F
55.3°F
45.6°F |
17.7°F
21.0°F
25.4°F
32.1°F
38.5°F
47.6°F
55.5°F
54.1°F
47.6°F
35.7°F
24.8°F
18.9°F |
-25°F
-11°F
- 7°F
11°F
14°F
27°F
42°F
37°F
25°F
10°F
- 9°F
-16°F |
1.40"
.96"
1.25"
.60"
.31"
.50"
2.47"
2.25"
1.22"
1.46"
1.06"
1.87" |
|
The climate has a
dominant influence on the functions of the created wetlands. This area has four
definite seasons. Spring is very windy with gusts over 50 mph. This can cause
severe bank erosion if vegetation isn't established. Net evaporation can exceed
12 inches per month in May and June. Summer is characterized by the onset of a
monsoon type pattern with frequent showers and high night time temperatures.
Fall is ushered in as the rainfall diminishes and nights get colder. Winter is
marked by colder temperatures and the wetlands freeze over. Ice may occur 1 to
2 months of winter. snow depths of 3 to 12 inches are common.
The soils of this
area are heavy clays with low water permeability. The natural vegetation is
typical pinyon-juniper woodland. This is a very common vegetation type in this
area. The topography is flat to moderately sloping with some natural basins
which form Pintail and Telephone Lakes. The elevation above sea level is 6,350
to 6,380 ft.
 Evaporation from wetland surfaces is a key factor
affecting their functions. Total evaporation exceeds precipitation by 48 inches
per year. The evaporative loss is greatest during the months of May and June
which account for one half of the year's total. During winter months
evaporation is near zero, so ponds fill up and total storage capacity becomes a
concern.
For more
information, please feel free to contact the USDA Forest Service, Lakeside
Ranger District at 520.368.5111 or you may write us at 2022 W. White Mtn.
Blvd., Pinetop-Lakeside, Arizona 85935
White Mountains Online wishes to express
our appreciation to the USDA Forest Service, Lakeside District for providing
this information! This and other articles may be found in print media entitled:
Constructed Wetlands for Wastewater
Treatment and Wildlife Habitat
United States Environmental Protection
Agency
#EPA832-R-93-005
September 1993
Continue to: Design & Layout
Return to: Background
Return to
Pintail Lake
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