Importance/Issues

Seeps, springs, and tinajas are critical surface water sources in the arid and semi-arid Sonoran Desert and Apache Highlands ecoregions. They are the primary interface between groundwater and surface water, and serve as important water sources for park fauna and flora. The SODN defines “seeps” as restricted subsurface emanations (with surface water not always present). "Springs” are reliable perennial and quasi-perennial surface water sources. Tinajas, or “small jars” in Spanish, are perennial and quasi-perennial surface waters found in naturally occurring bedrock catchments. They are fed by springs and/or precipitation.

Parks Monitored

Chiricahua NM, Coronado NMem, Fort Bowie NHS, Gila Cliff Dwellings NM, Montezuma Castle NM, Organ Pipe Cactus NM, Saguaro NP, Tonto NM, Tuzigoot NM

Monitoring Objectives

Determine the status (annually) and detect trends in the wetted area, water depth, and soil moisture immediately down-gradient from known seeps in SODN parks.

Determine the status (quarterly) and detect trends in the wetted area, water depth, and core water quality parameters for selected springs in SODN parks.

Potential Measures

Water depth (from pressure transducer or tape), wetted area (grid), soil moisture (grid): all seeps and springs

Dissolved oxygen, water temperature, conductivity, aquatic macroinvertebrates, e. coli, nitrogen, phosphorus, pollutant metals: selected springs and tinajas.

Management Applications

Understanding patterns in the amount and quality of water in seeps, springs, and tinajas, as well as in associated aquatic biota, will help us to gauge the overall status of water resources in SODN parks. In addition to being important surface waters themselves, many seeps and springs feed tinajas and other critical surface waters, and provide a measure of interaction between groundwater and surface water. These waters are among the most restricted habitats for focal and threatened plant and animal species. As such, they are important to resource managers. In some cases, identifying the condition of seeps and springs is also important for reasons of human health and risk.

Protocol Development Status

Protocol development was ongoing in FY2008-2009. Pilot studies at FOBO and TONT have been completed. A pilot study for seeps will be tested in several units in FY2009. We anticipate a draft Seeps and Springs protocol by the end of calendar year 2009.

Status & Trends

This protocol has not been implemented. Therefore, status and trend information is not currently available.

Project Leads

Evan Gwilliam, Ecologist (Aquatic)