RESPONSE OF DESERT UNGULATES TO A WATER PROJECT IN ARIZONA

Effects of water projects on ungulates in the arid southwestern United States are poorly understood, but there are concerns that such projec ts will displace native ungulates, influence movements, and increase m ortality. One such project, the Hayden-Rhodes Aqueduct (HRA), traverse s the habitat of desert mule deer (Odocoileus hemionus crooki) and big horn sheep (Ovis canadensis) in southcentral Arizona. We contrasted ho me range size, use of vegetation associations, and frequency of animal locations within 500 m of the HRA for mule deer in the Belmont and Bi g Horn mountains and for bighorn sheep in the Little Harquahala Mounta ins during construction (1980-84) and after completion (1989-92) of th e HRA. We also examined the distance of ungulates to water catchments to determine if added water catchments attracted them. Home range size and use of vegetation associations did not differ (P > 0.05) between periods for deer and sheep. Deer and sheep were rarely within 500 m of the aqueduct, but frequency of locations less-than-or-equal-to 500 m of the HRA did not differ (P > 0.05) between, during, and after constr uction of the canal. Female deer were closer (P < 0.05) to water catch ments in spring and summer prior to completion of the canal but farthe r (P < 0.05) from water catchments in summer after completion of the H RA. Bighorn sheep were not attracted to water catchments. Data suggest that the additional water was not important to the deer or sheep popu lations. The HRA reinforced previously established barriers (i.e., hig hways, fences, railroads) that fragmented habitat but did not alter us e of habitats or movements of desert mule deer or bighorn sheep.