Carr Canyon drinker Projects
Pig Wallow / Meadow / Apple Tree
Carr Canyon Drinkers Project / Pig Wallow
Carr Canyon Waters
Carr Canyon, Huachuca Mountains
Cochise County, Arizona
1998 to 2015
What: For almost 20 years volunteers from the Huachuca Gould’s Chapter of the National Wild Turkey Federation have worked on 3 wildlife water developments in lower Carr Canyon of the Huachuca Mountains.
When: Beginning 1998 and Continuing
Where: Lower Carr Canyon of the Huachuca Mountains is located approximately 11 miles southwest of Sierra Vista, Arizona
General Information: Carr Canyon is situated close to important Gould’s Turkey areas in Ramsey Canyon. Available water in the canyon is mostly seasonal. A pipe line system several decades old used to supply water to livestock troughs near the Carr House. As of 2001 none of those water developments functioned.
In August and September of 2000, a Forest Service construction crew buried a HDPE pipe to connect 2 proposed wildlife drinkers with an existing well just east and northeast of the Carr House. During 2001, volunteers from the Huachuca Gould’s Chapter installed the new drinkers, connected the pipe, and turned on the water. The new drinkers were named Carr Meadows and Fruit Tree/Plaque. A small monument placed near the Plaque drinker commemorates this cooperative effort that benefits all wildlife in the canyon as well as the public’s enjoyment of that resource.
The names of these 2 drinkers recognize the once expansive fruit orchard around the drinkers and the conservation efforts of the Chapter.
A third drinker has a little different history. Pig Wallow is located about 200 yards north of Carr Meadow and Plaque. In November of 1998, an Eagle Scout project used an old ranch pipe line to supply water to a new drinker. The drinker design continued the small ground seep near the drinker as well. The name Pig Wallow came from Javelina using the seep for wallowing.
Since 2001, volunteers from the Huachuca Gould’s Chapter have maintained and upgraded the 3 drinkers many times. With the help of the Creighton Eagle Scout project (2012) and Forest Service volunteers (especially Karen and John Poole) all the drinkers have been replaced, a more reliant valve system installed, and a dependable source (an existing well) connected to Pig Wallow. Smaller maintenance work has included replacing damaged hinges and locks on the drinkers, adjusting float valve levels, and fixing leaks in the water line. The developments are inspected at least 8 times a year by Chapter volunteers as well.
Gould’s Turkey use of lower Carr Canyon has varied over the years. In the 1990s and early 2000s birds roosted in the canyon. In 2004 at least 2 hens nested here, also. More recently, birds seem to be using the canyon during movement along the east face of the Huachuca Mountains.
Acknowledgements: Cooperating groups and organizations have been Friends of the Huachuca Mountains, Boy Scouts of American including the Creighton Eagle Scout project, Coronado National Forest volunteers especially Karen and John Poole, Coronado National Forest personnel, and Arizona Game and Fish Department personnel.
Carr Canyon, Huachuca Mountains
Cochise County, Arizona
1998 to 2015
What: For almost 20 years volunteers from the Huachuca Gould’s Chapter of the National Wild Turkey Federation have worked on 3 wildlife water developments in lower Carr Canyon of the Huachuca Mountains.
When: Beginning 1998 and Continuing
Where: Lower Carr Canyon of the Huachuca Mountains is located approximately 11 miles southwest of Sierra Vista, Arizona
General Information: Carr Canyon is situated close to important Gould’s Turkey areas in Ramsey Canyon. Available water in the canyon is mostly seasonal. A pipe line system several decades old used to supply water to livestock troughs near the Carr House. As of 2001 none of those water developments functioned.
In August and September of 2000, a Forest Service construction crew buried a HDPE pipe to connect 2 proposed wildlife drinkers with an existing well just east and northeast of the Carr House. During 2001, volunteers from the Huachuca Gould’s Chapter installed the new drinkers, connected the pipe, and turned on the water. The new drinkers were named Carr Meadows and Fruit Tree/Plaque. A small monument placed near the Plaque drinker commemorates this cooperative effort that benefits all wildlife in the canyon as well as the public’s enjoyment of that resource.
The names of these 2 drinkers recognize the once expansive fruit orchard around the drinkers and the conservation efforts of the Chapter.
A third drinker has a little different history. Pig Wallow is located about 200 yards north of Carr Meadow and Plaque. In November of 1998, an Eagle Scout project used an old ranch pipe line to supply water to a new drinker. The drinker design continued the small ground seep near the drinker as well. The name Pig Wallow came from Javelina using the seep for wallowing.
Since 2001, volunteers from the Huachuca Gould’s Chapter have maintained and upgraded the 3 drinkers many times. With the help of the Creighton Eagle Scout project (2012) and Forest Service volunteers (especially Karen and John Poole) all the drinkers have been replaced, a more reliant valve system installed, and a dependable source (an existing well) connected to Pig Wallow. Smaller maintenance work has included replacing damaged hinges and locks on the drinkers, adjusting float valve levels, and fixing leaks in the water line. The developments are inspected at least 8 times a year by Chapter volunteers as well.
Gould’s Turkey use of lower Carr Canyon has varied over the years. In the 1990s and early 2000s birds roosted in the canyon. In 2004 at least 2 hens nested here, also. More recently, birds seem to be using the canyon during movement along the east face of the Huachuca Mountains.
Acknowledgements: Cooperating groups and organizations have been Friends of the Huachuca Mountains, Boy Scouts of American including the Creighton Eagle Scout project, Coronado National Forest volunteers especially Karen and John Poole, Coronado National Forest personnel, and Arizona Game and Fish Department personnel.
01 Locations of Carr Canyon Waters
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02 Connecting the Carr Meadow Drinker to the supply pipe on March 3rd, 2001
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03 Securing the new drinker in Carr Meadow on March 3rd, 2001
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04 Troop 211 replaces the Carr Meadow Drinker as part of Creighton Eagle Scout project on June 3rd, 2012
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05 Carr Meadow Drinker on April 17th, 2016
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06 Dedication of Fruit Tree-Plaque Drinker on April 21st, 2002
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07 Explaining how a drinker works at dedication day for the Plaque Drinker on April 21st, 2002
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08 Conservation Monument at Plaque Drinker. That was the old name of the Huachuca Gould's Chapter
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09 Forest Service News Release 2002
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010 Maintenance work at Plaque Drinker on December 8th, 2001
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011 Pig Wallow Drinker on August 12th, 2004
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012 Turkey use at Pig Wallow Drinker on July 30th, 2004
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013 Another hen and poult look on at the Pig Wallow Drinker on July 30th, 2004
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014 Huachuca Gould's Chapter replaces the drinker at Pig Wallow on June 8th, 2008
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015 Pig Wallow Drinker on March 6th, 2016. The 'wallow' is seen in front of the old livestock water trough.