McPhee Reservoir

Ecosystem Overview

The McPhee Reservoir ecosystem supports 9 documented wildlife species across 8 taxonomic genera. Located in Montezuma County, Colorado, this area provides critical habitat with diverse natural communities. The location hosts 2 frequently observed species and 1 occasionally documented species, creating a balanced ecosystem with both resident and visiting wildlife. While Cortez nearby has 61% more documented species, McPhee Reservoir offers unique wildlife observation opportunities. This location ranks #3 for species diversity among 7 Montezuma County County natural areas, placing it in the 57th percentile for biodiversity.

Biodiversity Highlights

Total Species

Documented wildlife species

Genus Diversity

Taxonomic genera represented

Common Species

Frequently observed species

Rare Species

Occasionally documented species

Regional Rank

Out of 7 locations

Species Distribution

Very Common2 species

Common3 species

Occasional3 species

Rare1 species

Regional Context

Regional Ranking

#3 of 7 locations

57th percentile for diversity

vs. Cortez

-61% species diversity

Ecosystem Overview

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Biodiversity Highlights

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Species Distribution

Very Common‌

Common‌

Occasional‌

Rare‌

Regional Context

Regional Ranking

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Most Common Species

Showing 20 most frequently observed species out of 9 total documented species.

Verbena bracteata

Prostrate Verbena

Very Common2 obs.

Anaxyrus woodhousii

Woodhouse'S Toad

Very Common1 obs.

Asclepias speciosa

showy milkweed

Very Common1 obs.

Asclepias subverticillata

whorled milkweed

Very Common1 obs.

Danaus plexippus

monarch

Very Common1 obs.

Zonotrichia leucophrys

white-crowned sparrow

Common1 obs.

Plantago lanceolata

ribwort plantain

Common1 obs.

Ardea herodias

Great Blue Heron

Common1 obs.

Acraspis quercushirta

Common1 obs.

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Most Common Species

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Want the Complete Field Guide?

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Get Your Personalized Field Guide

Download a professional PDF field guide featuring all the species found in McPhee Reservoir. Perfect for outdoor adventures, education, and nature exploration.

$6.99

Get Your Personalized Field Guide

Download a professional PDF field guide featuring all the species found in McPhee Reservoir. Perfect for outdoor adventures, education, and nature exploration.

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$6.99

Regional Comparison

Regional Ranking

Species Count

-61%

vs. Regional Average

Compared to 6 nearby locations in Montezuma County County, Colorado

Nearby Natural Areas

Cortez

Importance: 0.45

23 species

-61% vs. current

Montezuma County

Importance: 0.45

100 species

-91% vs. current

Narraguinnep Reservoir

Importance: 0.35

1 species

+800% vs. current

Dolores

Importance: 0.28

4 species

+125% vs. current

Denny Lake

in Cortez

Importance: 0.20

5 species

+80% vs. current

Totten Lake

Importance: 0.20

4 species

+125% vs. current

About This Comparison

These comparisons are based on documented wildlife observations from citizen science data. Locations with higher species counts may have more observation activity, different habitat types, or larger coverage areas. Regional rankings help identify biodiversity hotspots and unique natural areas within Montezuma County County.

Regional Comparison

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Regional Ranking

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Species Count

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vs. Regional Average

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Nearby Natural Areas

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About This Comparison

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Regional Comparison

Regional Ranking

Species Count

-61%

vs. Regional Average

Compared to 6 nearby locations in Montezuma County County, Colorado

Nearby Natural Areas

Cortez

Importance: 0.45

23 species

-61% vs. current

Montezuma County

Importance: 0.45

100 species

-91% vs. current

Narraguinnep Reservoir

Importance: 0.35

1 species

+800% vs. current

Dolores

Importance: 0.28

4 species

+125% vs. current

Denny Lake

in Cortez

Importance: 0.20

5 species

+80% vs. current

Totten Lake

Importance: 0.20

4 species

+125% vs. current

About This Comparison

Ecosystem Overview

Biodiversity Highlights

Total Species

Documented wildlife species

Genus Diversity

Taxonomic genera represented

Common Species

Frequently observed species

Rare Species

Occasionally documented species

Regional Rank

Out of 7 locations

Species Distribution

Very Common2 species

Common3 species

Occasional3 species

Rare1 species

Regional Context

Regional Ranking

#3 of 7 locations

57th percentile for diversity

vs. Cortez

-61% species diversity

Most Common Species

Showing 20 most frequently observed species out of 9 total documented species.

Verbena bracteata

Prostrate Verbena

Very Common2 obs.

Anaxyrus woodhousii

Woodhouse'S Toad

Very Common1 obs.

Asclepias speciosa

showy milkweed

Very Common1 obs.

Asclepias subverticillata

whorled milkweed

Very Common1 obs.

Danaus plexippus

monarch

Very Common1 obs.

Zonotrichia leucophrys

white-crowned sparrow

Common1 obs.

Plantago lanceolata

ribwort plantain

Common1 obs.

Ardea herodias

Great Blue Heron

Common1 obs.

Acraspis quercushirta

Common1 obs.

Want the Complete Field Guide?

Get all 9 species with 3-4 high-quality images each, detailed descriptions, and a downloadable PDF for offline use.

Premium field guide includes identification tips, seasonal patterns, and professional layout optimized for field use.