Ecosystem

Not only is the river basin driven by the ecosystem, but the ecosystem within the Rio Grande/Rio Bravo basin is dependent on the river. The cycle of life has many components, primarily the food chain that is affected by water, air, and sun. The fauna and flora of the Rio Grande/Rio Bravo Basin is just as diverse as the geography and geological make-up. From high altitude cold zones of the coniferous forest in the San Juan Mountains, that include deer, bears, small mammals, bird of prey, waterfowl, and songbirds to gradual transition to the warm temperate ranges with deciduous trees and shrubs of cotton wood and willows are populated by Mexican gray wolves, mountain lions, prarie dogs, raccoons, ringtail cats, falcons and into the hot arid zone of desert mesquite, desert willow trees, creosote bush, agave and yuccas with an abundance of butterflies, reptiles, birds, and mammals from kangaroo rats to pronghorn antelopes. A large percentage of the Rio Grande/Rio Bravo basin is the located within the Chihuahuan Desert (250,000 square mile). This desert is considered the most ecologically diverse in North America and the most important arid ecoregions as described by the World Wildlife Federation. The desert is in great danger as agricultural, urban development and human population put enormous stress on this fragile wilderness, where a large number of species exist no other place on earth. At the top of the list threatening the Chihuan Desert are past and present water and range management practices that are destructive to wildlife and wildlands.

Everyone has a responsibility to their environmental surroundings, El Paso Water Utilities recognizes it's responsibilities by providing water continuously throughout the ponding reservoirs for native and migratory birds to have water, food and shelter. The Public Service Board knows the demands put on our limited water supply as development and population continue to increase. No decision is made lightly, knowing the fragile ecosystem of the Chihuahuan Region depends on the flow of water. It's important to place the least amount of mpact on the environment, presently and in the future.