Independence Creek Preserve

Independence Creek is a large, spring-fed creek and the most important of the few remaining recoverable freshwater tributaries of the lower Pecos River. Caroline Spring, located at the preserve headquarters produces 3,000 to 5,000 gallons per minute and comprises about 25% of the creek’s flow. Independence Creek’s contribution increases the Pecos River water volume by 42 percent and reduces the total dissolved solids by 50 percent, thus improving water quantity and quality.

The preserve hosts a variety of bird and fish species, some of which are extremely rare, like the black-capped vireo. The canyon oak shrub community around Independence Creek provides nesting habitat for this shy and elusive migratory species. Numerous other birds have been sighted on the property including vermilion flycatchers, three species of kingfishers, indigo buntings, scissor-tailed flycatchers, prairie falcons, golden eagles, golden-fronted and ladder-backed woodpeckers, zone-tailed hawks, wood ducks and great blue herons, to name a few.

Many different fish species inhabit the creek. The most threatened aquatic inhabitant is the Proserpine shiner. This and several other small fish species, including the Rio Grande darter, headwaters catfish and several other native fishes, are slowly disappearing from the Pecos River. Their declining numbers are a result of vanishing spring-fed stream habitat. Yet, the preservation of Independence Creek is helping provide a safe haven for these desert stream fish, especially during stressful river conditions when water quality is low.

The preserve's rugged canyons are composed of hillside juniper woodlands and Chihuahuan Desert scrub, contrasted with scattered stands of large plateau live oaks along the creek banks. These communities of ancient oak trees are at the western extreme of their range in Texas. The oaks are remnants of the vegetation that grew in this location thousands of years ago when the climate was wetter and cooler. Warnock’s coral-root is also sometimes found living in association with these live oaks while plateau loosestrife and spiny water niad—two rare aquatic plants—have been documented in Independence Creek.

Among the first to settle the Independence Creek area for ranching were the Chandler and Hicks families. In 1991, the Chandler family and TNC permanently protected 702 acres along the pristine, free-flowing Independence Creek through a conservation easement. In 2000 and 2001, TNC purchased the Oasis and Canon ranches to create Independence Creek Preserve.

Daily management of Independence Creek Preserve includes maintenance of wildlife watering sites. Several large projects are being conducted, including the restoration of pastures using water-efficient native grass species that are more nutritionally beneficial to wildlife. These new pastures also supply native seeds for use on the preserve and conservation partner sites in the lower Pecos area.

TNC is also conducting a multi-year hydrology study to help understand the hydrologic processes of the lower Pecos River, as well as what currently sustains and what may threaten the river in the future. The preserve is used as a living laboratory for research, offering educational opportunities for area schools and demonstrating a variety of land management techniques.