With such a diversity of plants and wildlife, it would seem that urban residents would be eager to preserve arroyo flood plains. This, unfortunately, has not been the case. Only a few sections of arroyos have been preserved as natural channels in the Albuquerque metropolitan area. A good example of a natural arroyo corridor is the Bear Arroyo north of Montgomery, between Juan Tabo and the Sandia Foothills. Over 150 acres in this area are preserved as natural channel.
Hiking trails run through the area, and visitors delight at the wildlife and vegetation.
The trails link with foothill and mountain trails of the Sandias. Although residents discovered the natural and recreational virtues of arroyos late, a 1986 document entitled the Facility Plan for Arroyos has attempted to make up for this oversight. The plan recognizes three classifications of arroyos in the metropolitan area. The first of these is Urban Recreational Links. These are located in highly developed or developing urban areas.