PIPE SPRING Cultures at a Crossroads: An Administrative History

Measurements of Spring Flow

In April 1976, Heyder directed Tracy to develop a plan to routinely measure the spring flow at Pipe Spring. During 1977, a program of weekly water measurements on combined spring flow within the monument was begun in order to gather data required by the Secretary of the Interior's office. Readings in 1978 indicated an average decrease of 2.3 gallons per minute, compare to 1977 figures. Total precipitation for 1978 was 18.16 inches, compared to an average of 8.28 inches for the previous 13 years. [2248] Heyder concluded that the springs appeared to come from an aquifer that was not subject to changing patterns of precipitation. [2249] In 1979 total spring flow showed an average decrease of 2.82 gallons per minute from 1978. Since measurements had only been taken for few years, it could not be determined if the decrease in spring flow observed was a pattern. The total flow in 1979 averaged 30.93 gallons per minute, compared to the historic measurement of 42.15 gallons per minute taken in 1934. [2250]

Ponds, Fish, Fowl, and Farm Animals

No reports were filed in the 1970s on the fort ponds or about their being stocked with fish. The focus of the decade was on farm animals. Chickens, ducks, and geese virtually had the run of the area in the 1970s. In addition to expanding the monument's planting activities, Superintendent Tracy expanded the range of its animals. In the early 1970s, a cow and horse belonging to Mel Heaton were kept on the pasture as part of the interpretive program. [2251] Mick and Molly, the monument's draft horses, were acquired in 1975 (see "Interpretation" section). During his tenure, Tracy contacted a hatchery in Missouri and asked for advice on the type of chickens that were popular about 1870-1880. McMurray Hatchery did better than just reply - it sent a large batch of baby chicks to the monument. [2252] Tracy also purchased a pair of burros (a jenny and a gelding) from an area rancher for $65. Soon, a "surprise" colt was born that Bernard and Ruth Tracy named "C.L.," which stood for "Careless Love." The public loved the burros, Tracy later recalled, but Heyder thought they were completely inappropriate for the monument. Soon the burros were described as "surplus property" and Tracy was forced to get rid of them. [2253]

140. Burros at Pipe Spring National Monument, 1970s