Cave Creek’s Jewel

Photographer: Thomas McGuire
Summary Author: Thomas McGuire

The Jewel of the Creek, a high Sonoran Desert riparian area in Cave Creek, Arizona, occupies an east-west trending fault separating Arizona’s Basin and Range from the Transition Zone. Unlike most Phoenix area dry washes, Cave Creek usually runs continuously in winter and early spring. The bottom photo shows a different part of this area in mid-autumn.

Much of the area was threatened by development of a golf resort and hundreds of vacation homes. So, in 2000 the citizens of Cave Creek voted to tax themselves to pay $7 million of the total of $21 million cost of the property. The rest was paid by Maricopa County and the State of Arizona. This added 3.5 sq mi (9.0 sq km) to the 26 acres (10.5 hectares) that had been purchased by the Desert Foothills Land Trust. This land is specifically dedicated to the preservation of historic Native American habitation remains and cultural features, conservation, and education. By charter, it will never include public recreation facilities.

Fortunately, due to well planned growth and good fiscal management, in 2024 the town of Cave Creek established secure valley-wide fire coverage and still has no town property tax.

 

Cave Creek, Arizona Coordinates: 33.884044, -111.954885

Related Links:
Debris Flow Caused by Dirt Cracking
Horizontal Grading
Thomas McGuire’s Earth Science Textbooks