Rio Sonoyta

Rio Sonoyta Watershed MapThe Rio Sonoyta, despite grazing across the watershed, agriculture, groundwater pumping, and the incredible dry nature of the region, still has perennial flow in stretches west of the town of Sonoyta. These areas supports the native Quitobaquito Pupfish (Cyprinodon macularius eremus) and the Rio Sonoyta Mud Turtle (Kinosternon sonoriense longifemorale) life history PDF.

Much of the bottomland, especially in the middle stretches of the watershed, has been cleared for agriculture. Mesquite bosques along the Rio Sonoyta were said to have been an amazing sight into the 1900's before they were cleared.