US93 Bighorn Sheep Study: Distribution and Trans-Highway Movements of Desert Bighorn Sheep in Northwestern Arizona

Desert bighorn sheep were monitored via satellite telemetry, ground observations, and track beds between 2004 and 2006, primarily to determine distribution and movements relative to mileposts (MP) 3 to 17 of U.S. Highway 93 in the Black Mountains of northwestern Arizona. Bighorns were distributed and moved throughout the study area, but locations of trans-highway movements were not random. Construction of a highway bypass structure between MP 0 and 3 had no apparent effects on permeability of the right-of-way corridor to bighorns. Bighorns concentrated trans-highway movements in the area of proposed highway realignments between MP 3 and 17 at five locations. The research team identified five continuous, linear, elevated guideways (ridgelines) in this area where bighorns concentrated trans-highway movements. Specifically, these ridgelines were located near MP 3.3, 5.1, 7.7, 12.2, and 15.3. Eighty-two percent of highway crossings between MP 3 and 17 occurred near ridgelines at MP 3.3, 5.1, and 12.2, and the research team concluded highway crossing structures at these locations likely would promote highway permeability at a level ensuring genetic heterogeneity and vigor of the resident desert bighorn sheep population.

• Record URL:
  • http://apps.azdot.gov/ADOTLibrary/publications/project_reports/PDF/AZ576.pdf
• Corporate Authors:

  Arizona Game and Fish Department

  Research Branch, 2221 W Greenway Road
  Phoenix, AZ  United States  85023

  Arizona Department of Transportation

  206 South 17th Avenue
  Phoenix, AZ  United States  85007

  Federal Highway Administration

  1200 New Jersey Avenue, SE
  Washington, DC  United States  20590
• Authors:
  • McKinney, Ted
  • Smith, Thorry
• Publication Date: 2007-1

Language

• English

Media Info

• Media Type: Print
• Edition: Final Report
• Features: Appendices; Figures; Maps; Photos; References; Tables;
• Pagination: 66p

Subject/Index Terms

• TRT Terms: Artificial satellites; Bypasses; Field studies; Highway bridges; Mileposts; Telemetry; Wildlife
• Uncontrolled Terms: Desert bighorn sheep; Ridgelines; Trans-highway movements
• Geographic Terms: Arizona
• Subject Areas: Design; Highways; I20: Design and Planning of Transport Infrastructure;

Filing Info

• Accession Number: 01046400
• Record Type: Publication
• Report/Paper Numbers: FHWA-AZ-07-576
• Contract Numbers: JPA04-032T / KR04-0104TRN
• Files: TRIS, USDOT, STATEDOT
• Created Date: Apr 25 2007 1:08PM