Chuckwalla Bench

ACEC

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The Chuckwalla Bench Area of Critical Environmental Concern (ACEC) is a relatively flat area lying between the Chuckwalla Mountains and the Chocolate Mountains.

The flora on the bench is one of the richest in the Colorado Desert within the State, and at least 158 plant species occur here. In the sandy, gravelly areas a number of shrubs and annuals are present including mesquite, Prosopis glandulosa var. torreyana, creosote bush, Larrea tridentata, catclaw, Acacia greggii, ocotillo, Fouquieria splendens, and nine species of cactus. In the washes palo verde, Cercidium floridum, smoke tree, Psorothamnus spinosa, and desert willow, Chilopsis linearis, are common.

Four rare or endangered plants occur here, among them the Munz cholla, Opuntia munzii. The largest and densest known population of this plant is found on the bench. Other species include Escoberia vivipara var. alversonii, Ditaxis californica and Ditaxis clariana.

Animal life is diversified and abundant. Of particular note is the dense population of the desert tortoise, Gopherus agassizi, found here, with up to 200 individuals per square mile (2.5 square kilometers). The pronghorn, Antilocapra americana, once was abundant on the bench but disappeared in the early 1950's. Proposals have been made to reintroduce it.

Integrity: There are two roads in the area, one the Bradshaw Trail which is an old Butterfield Stage route, as well as various campsites and some Indian relicts. There has been some off-road-vehicle activity and feral burros have been observed but, to date, the area is virtually undisturbed.

Use: Research, educational, observational. Some private.

April 1982