Our conversation with Dr. William Doelle centered around the Great Bend of the Gila. Our discussion highlighted the area’s archaeological and environmental splendor, its threats, and what we can do to help protect it.
Dr. William Doelle is the founder and president emeritus of Archaeology Southwest, an organization dedicated to protecting and learning from cultural remains and heritage places. Archaeology Southwest has been involved in the effort to increase protections around the Great Bend of the Gila since 2009. Numerous attempts have proved unsuccessful, but nonetheless, Archaeology Southwest remains focused on their goal. Dr. Doelle spoke about why they are so committed, citing the uniqueness of the Great Bend of the Gila, both archaeologically and ecologically.
Archaeology, landscape, and the merging of the two
The Gila River runs through Arizona, serving as what Dr. Doelle calls a “lifeline in that very arid portion of the Sonoran Desert.” This is especially true at the Great Bend of the Gila, where the Gila’s curve forms a unique river valley that has provided refuge to people for thousands of years.
According to Dr. Doelle, this site is home to the cultural remains of people groups spanning back thousands of years. The unique desert pavement found in and around the Great Bend of the Gila has allowed for the preservation of trails and footsteps. This has allowed Archaeology Southwest to follow the pathways taken by the people who used and lived in the area. Footsteps of indigenous people and evidence of the East-West journey taken by early Americans can be found throughout the area.
Dr. Doelle and Archaeology Southwest have been studying the Northern Sonoran Desert for years. The organization currently runs a research project in the Great Bend of the Gila, finding archaeological artifacts and cataloging them. Dr. Doelle estimates that the Great Bend of the Gila contains roughly 100,000 indigenous petroglyphs (rock art). Similar to the natural landscape that preserves the trails, the unique volcanic rock is perfect for the creation and preservation of petroglyphs.
These cultural sites are, as Dr. Doelle points out, archaeological information to some and important heritage spaces to others. Thirteen tribes claim an ancestral connection to the Great Bend of the Gila, highlighting the living importance of the area. While the archaeologists had previously drawn the distinction between cultural artifacts and the natural landscape, Dr. Doelle mentioned that the indigenous view often blends the two. This view of the Great Bend of the Gila as a “cultural landscape,” one in which the environment and the cultural importance are tied, demands a heightened commitment to protecting the area.
The Ecological Value
Similar to the people who have historically made use of the land, the animals of the Northern Sonoran Desert have found a similar sanctuary. Dr. Doelle told us that in the areas of the Great Bend of the Gila that see consistent water, more than 240 bird species visit or live. Desert Bighorn sheep also make the area their home, coming down into the valley after lambing at the nearby Saddle Mountain.
Unfortunately, as more and more water is used upstream, the Great Bend of the Gila and its water table suffer. Many of the birds that frequent the area are water birds, such as herons and egrets, and much of the plant life relies on the water. Thankfully, the area still receives some rain and when the river flows well, the desert comes to life.
The value of the area is not, however, limited to the banks of the Gila River. Dr. Doelle points out that the river valley is home to unique vegetation and wildlife that rests in the valley away from the water’s edge. This environment, similar to the artifacts within it, is fragile and vulnerable to damage.
The Great Bend of the Gila at risk
Dr. Doelle identifies two dangers that immediately face the Great Bend of the Gila:
- Water shortage
- Recreation
As the water upstream is used and dammed the amount of water left in the Gila Bend and in the ground dwindles. This can have effects on the river, the plants, and the wildlife that rely on it. The Great Bend of the Gila has been an oasis in the desert but that is threatened by water usage and development.
Recreation, according to Doelle, is a present but avoidable threat. He made it clear that people should come to witness this astounding cultural landscape but cautioned that unregulated activity in the area can cause irreparable damage.
Dr. Doelle credits the increase in population, both in the Tuscon and Phoenix areas, as a main driver of this issue. As these places grow, so does the people’s interest in visiting the Great Bend of the Gila. Unfortunately, much of the area is difficult to access which leads to offroad vehicles crossing over the land, destroying vegetation, habitats, and delicate cultural assets. Making the area more accessible would allow people to continue to visit without destroying this delicate area.
Hope for a National Monument
Representative Raúl M. Grijalva introduced the Great Bend of the Gila National Monument Establishment Act in August of 2024, hoping to designate a roughly 377,000-acre patch of land as a national monument. This designation would convert existing public land into an area with increased protection from unnecessary development and harm.
Dr. Doelle is hopeful thatPresident Biden may designate the Great Bend of the Gila as a National Monument before he leaves office.
Dr. Doelle’s optimism about the latest push to create a national monument around the Great Bend of the Gila is in part due to the broad support for the proposal. The more people that are involved, the more likely it is to gain momentum in the White House. In Dr. Doelle’s words, “compiling that kind of public interest in this place is a really important part of what we’re trying to do.”
