2000 years ago

1. 2000 years ago The River of Change First permanent settlements along the Rio Grande! 450AD Sandia Mountains 1275-1300AD Major drought in the SW, the Rio Grande becomes a focus for settlement. Levees are breached for the last time! Cottonwood seedlings sprout at future Rio Grande Nature Center site. Saltcedar is introduced into valley. 1884 1891 1930 1941 1912 1600’s 1874 Jetty Jacks are placed in the bosque. 1941 Pueblo people REVOLT; villages are abandoned by Spanish settlers. 1903 1957 1920 1909 1975 1706AD 1937 Cochiti Dam completed. City of Albuquerque founded! 1925 Middle Rio Grande Conservancy District was formed. 1870’s-1940’s Today! Large floods occur, population increases, over grazing leads to erosion & ↑ sediments in river. 1996 Volcanoes and Mesa 1stBEMP site!

2. Name: _____________________________________________ Date: ____________________ You’ve been learning about the CHANGES to the middle Rio Grande valley over the past 2000 years! Think of the 3 stages of the bosque environment over time. List some of the CHANGES that you learned about in the blank boxes provided. Stages of the River Rio Bravo wild river How would you describe the river prior to 2,000 years ago? List 5 traits. Rio Manso tamed river Can you list five (5) ways humans have changed the bosque ecosystem? Rio Nuevo new river In what ways are people like you helping to restore the bosque? List one action. Key cottonwood seedlings pueblo snags/ burned trees adult cottonwood grassy meadow cottonwood sapling exotic plants sand bar riparian shrub jetty jacks BEMP site! cattails upland shrubs towns & cities Bosque Ecosystem Monitoring Program – www.bosqueschool.org/bemp.aspx