_by_ Fred A. Thompson[5]
Water in the great Southwest, of which the State of New Mexico is a
part, has made for a colorful and historical background. Water, perhaps
more than anything else, has molded the lives of all inhabitants of the
area from the pueblo and lodge of the early Indian to the civilization
we know today. The fish and wildlife resources as related to water have
played an important part in everyday living and economy.
From data gathered by archeologists there are indications that the early
Indian used fish as part of his diet. Fish bones are found in excavated
ruins, and fish pictures are occasionally found as petroglyphs and on
pottery (fig. 1). Although the use of fish was limited, it was
widespread throughout the Southwest, not being confined to one Indian
tribe or nation.
[Illustration: Figure 1. Bowl depicting fish, found in ruins of
Mimbres Indians]
The use of fish by the white settler was likewise restricted, but it
increased as time progressed and knowledge and equipment improved. There
is only limited reference to fish for either food or sport fishing until
after the middle of the nineteenth century. Early explorers made records
of fish in various waters of New Mexico and in most instances described
the new species.
Originally, the waters of the desert also could be described as fish
deserts. Only three recognized kinds of food fish, as we know them
today, inhabited the waters of this region. The trout was limited to the
cutthroat species or subspecies. These were found as one subspecies in
the Rio Grande drainage and the other subspecies in the Arkansas River
drainage. The latter is reduced in numbers but a few remnants remain in
the headwaters. The former is being artificially propagated and is being
maintained successfully. The trout found in the Gila River drainage,
originally thought to be a cutthroat, then a rainbow, has been recently
described as a separate species. These trout, like the Arkansas River
fish, remain as remnants in the headwaters. For the most part, the
native trout have had a difficult time surviving in recent years because
of the change in water and land use; the habitat has become exceedingly
restricted.
Channel catfish were originally found in the Rio Grande drainage and
continue to maintain themselves satisfactorily. Water and land
manipulation, however, present a serious threat, even to this hardy
fish.
There are records that the gulf eel once came up the Rio Grande during
part of its life cycle. This fish of the ocean has long since
disappeared—the fate of many migrating fish when confronted with
man-made obstructions in the watercourses.
Waterfowl were in great abundance once, in both the upper Rio Grande and
the Pecos River drainages. These birds utilized the vast marsh areas of
the valleys during spring and fall migrations. It is presumed that there
was very little nesting of waterfowl in the early years.
The mammals that live in or near the water, principally fur bearers,
were in abundance as long as water habitat was abundant and prior to
unrestricted trapping. With the exception of the beaver (since restocked
and protected), many of the fur bearers once numerous are now extremely
limited in numbers or approaching extinction. There is only an
occasional sighting of the otter which was once relatively plentiful.
Habitat for the various water mammals, birds, and fish is found in the
drainage systems. The major system is the Rio Grande that flows through
the center of the state; the Pecos River is its tributary. In this
system are six of the seven life zones and conditions of habitat
suitable to almost any form of water-dwelling life.
There is a noticeable habitat change due to several causes, such as
ranching, irrigation, urban development, and a general minor change in
climatic conditions. Many variations are in direct relation, such as
improper grazing, unscreened irrigation diversions, dams, and sewage
disposal, to mention a few. There is an indication of a long-term
warming of the general Southwest, and though this change is fractional,
it does have a basic effect on habitat.
The effect of habitat change can be noted in the life of the cutthroat
trout. Early records reveal that this trout, liking cool clear water,
was once caught in the Rio Grande in the lower part of the box canyon
north of Peñablanca. It was also caught near the town of Pecos. The fish
can no longer survive in the changed water conditions and is found now
only in the headwaters. Even the catfish has difficulty surviving in
some sections of the rivers for lack of water. In the lower Pecos, the
catfish finds difficulty in reproducing because of the high salt content
of the river water.
As has already been noted, the fish that are recognized as game fish
today were in short supply a hundred years ago. It was not until the
railroads entered New Mexico that fish were imported to supplement the
native supply. In an unpublished report by the author, it was pointed
out that almost every kind of fish propagated in the United States has
been imported and stocked in waters of New Mexico. Of these, some have
survived beyond expectations and others have disappeared entirely.
When the railroads entered New Mexico, there were already requests for
fish in the hands of the United States Fish Commission. Fish were
delivered in especially designed fish-distribution cars and the
consignee met the cars at designated rail sidings. From the distribution
cars, the fish were further transported by wagons in water containers of
various descriptions, usually wooden barrels or watertight wooden boxes,
to streams or lakes as assigned. Because of the mode of travel at the
time, the quantities of fish so stocked were limited, but they did
provide seed stock from which their population could grow. Fish were
packed on back and on horses into relatively inaccessible areas. The
procedures and techniques of fish transportation have evolved to the
present highly specialized equipment and methods of operation.
It is interesting to note that the quantities of fish imported and
planted increased in relation to the improved transportation. The early
records indicate the numbers in the hundreds and in just a few
locations; later plantings increased both in numbers stocked and in
waters stocked. The first fish imported to supplement the native fish
was the German carp. In fact, this was the only fish imported for eight
consecutive years, 1883-1890. These early plantings were followed by
catfish, German brown trout, brook trout, yellow perch, largemouth black
bass, crappie, rock bass, tench, rainbow trout, strawberry bass, black
spotted trout, bream, smallmouth bass, salmon, white bass, and walleyed
pike.
All the fish imported are classed as game fish except carp and tench
(the latter did not survive). The various species met their habitat
requirements, and although there were no survivals in some locations,
they did acclimate in others and have developed into a substantial
fishery. Some species are predominant while others, like the rock bass,
are remnant and taken only occasionally. The fish most sought now and
predominant in the fishery are rainbow (fig. 2) and brown trout,
catfish, largemouth bass, crappie, and walleyed pike.
[Illustration: Figure 2. Joy of the fisherman, rainbow trout]
Management of the fishery has progressed with technical development.
When fish were planted in early years, very little thought was given
about the habitat except that it was water. There was little known of
the requirements of fish. As a result, fish were placed in waters only
to perish. To maintain a fish population now, all techniques available
are employed and fish are stocked where water and species are
compatible.
Water in the desert is always at a premium for the inhabitants. The
early Indian cultures used water for irrigation, and there are still
vestiges of canals used by Indians to convey water to their crops. The
use of water by the Indians then had little or no effect on fish life,
but as irrigation development increased, a new habitat was formed. The
once free-flowing rivers became dry in places, and new waters were
developed in the drainage ditches in the Rio Grande Valley. The
competition for water is very keen and fish and wildlife uses come after
domestic, commercial, and irrigation purposes.
The water requirements are so great, in fact, that it has been necessary
to control water and its use by laws. The law of 1876 provided that
water could not be refused a traveler. Community ditch commissioners
were established by law in 1895. The basic laws governing water rights
were established in 1907. These laws have been amended or added to as
conditions dictate. Conservancy districts were recognized by law in
1927, and underground waters came under law in 1931. The Interstate
Stream Commission was created in 1935. At present, New Mexico water laws
are considered some of the best in the nation; however, it has been only
recently that water for fish and wildlife has been recognized as one of
the beneficial uses.
Converse to the use of water to the detriment of fish and wildlife,
there are several areas in which water has been developed and impounded
to the benefit of the fishery. Although some impoundments were
single-purpose developments, they supply habitat in conservation pools
or during years of abundant water supply.
[Illustration: Figure 3. Find the elephant!—at Elephant Butte
reservoir]
Waters impounded by man but used as a fishery are Elephant Butte
Reservoir (fig. 3), 40,096 surface acres when full. It contains
largemouth black bass, crappie, walleyed pike, catfish, and sunfish.
This lake has not been full for many years; but like Alamogordo
Reservoir (4650 surface acres), Caballo Reservoir (11,532 surface
acres), McMillan Reservoir (2500 surface acres), Conchas Reservoir
(16,640 surface acres), and Avalon Reservoir (950 surface acres), it has
produced excellent fishing. These are large irrigation lakes and are all
stocked generally with the same species of fish.
The lakes built for irrigation but utilized for trout are usually much
smaller. The principal ones are Navajo Reservoir (15,600 surface acres)
and El Vado (3500 surface acres). There are also Miami Lake (190 surface
acres) and several others of small size.
In addition, several small lakes have been built or acquired for the
primary purpose of providing fishing. A few of these are Hopewell Lake
(14 surface acres), Lake Roberts (73 surface acres), and Charette Lakes
(400 surface acres). There are many more varying in size. The smaller
lakes are primarily for trout fishing, but a few in the southern part of
the state do have species usually found in warmer waters.
In the process of reservoir construction, waterfowl habitat and resting
areas are created. These new lakes, however, are a poor substitute for
the natural marshes and potholes originally frequented by ducks and
geese. Water mammals, likewise, find the artificial impoundments
undesirable in comparison, and the increased water has added very little
to this resource.
Every water development has with it the appeal of recreation other than
fishing. Now a lake must have such facilities as picnic and camping
areas, launching ramps, good accessibility, boat rentals, and a
concessionaire. There is no single-purpose reservoir in respect to
recreation.
Finally, it is concluded that the old adage, “fishing ain’t what it used
to be,” should no longer be true for New Mexico. The fishing water has
been added to greatly and the fish are managed better. The only problem
is one of increased human population. Where there was one fisherman
fifty years ago, there are a thousand now.
Truly, the water of the desert is used to the limit.
[Illustration: (_Forest Service, U.S.D.A._)
The past living today—San Miguel, early mission church still used
daily in Santa Fe]