To the desert dweller, Cienega Creek is truly an oasis. Born in the Canelo Hills in eastern Santa Cruz County, the creek flows toward the northwest for almost 50 miles until it turns into Pantano Wash, which cuts through Tucson, eventually joining with the Rillito. It is one of the most intact riparian zones in the state. Although much of the creek’s flow is underground, shallow bedrock within the preserve pushes the water to the surface, producing a perennial flow that supports countless animal species and creates a green belt of vegetation that stands in stark relief to the surrounding desert. Here, life is abundant: insects buzz in the air, small fish flit in the water, and birds dart from tree to tree.
