Just over 60 miles from Phoenix, along U.S. Route 60, lies the Hassayampa River Preserve.
Just over 60 miles from Phoenix, along U.S. Route 60, lies the Hassayampa River Preserve.
The 770 acres of land surrounding the river exists within the Upper Hassayampa Basin. The over-100-mile stretch of water exists mostly underground but resurfaces just upstream of the preserve, providing a lush oasis in the middle of the desert — home to 280 bird species.
The preserve finds itself at risk due to surrounding human activities such as road and railroad traffic, mining sites and a booming rural community, leaving the potential for pollution just south of Wickenburg, Arizona, which houses just over 8,000 residents and has a rich history due to its abundance in gold, silver and copper.
Read More: Arizona State University
Students in ASU Assistant Professor Liza Roger's lab collect samples at the Hassayampa River Preserve. (Photo Credit: Liza Roger)
