Pasture Canyon Parkway Restoration

Pasture Canyon Parkway is a riparian restoration project funded in part by a grant from the Environmental Protection Agency (Clean Water Act, section 319). The parkway extends about one mile from Highway 160 up to Pasture Canyon Dam. This project includes five elements:

1. Fencing will keep livestock out of the park area, allowing plant life to recover and protecting water quality of seeps and springs.
2. Wildcat roads that crisscrossed the area are being retired and revegetated to reduce erosion.
3. Salt cedar, Russian olive, and camelthorn are invasive plants that compete with native vegetation in the parkway. These plants are being removed and replaced with native plants such as Fremont and narrowleaf cottonwood, and coyote, yellow and Gooding willow.
4. Picnic tables, outhouses, and a jogging path are planned for the new park. Also, an environmental education bulletin board will keep residents informed on the progress of restoration work.
5. The Hopi Tribe intends for this park to serve as a science field trip location for local schools to expand understanding of the natural environment. The park is open for all people to enjoy.

Planting Fremont cottonwood.

Youth discover a tiger salamander at Culvert Spring while working on restoration treatments.

Livestock grazing inhibits native plant growth.