Spring Flow in a Portion of Grand Canyon National Park, Arizona
Goings DB. 1985. Spring Flow in a Portion of Grand Canyon National Park, Arizona. CPSU/UNLV 033/01. Cooperative Park Studies Unit, University of Las Vegas. Las Vegas, NV
Hermit, Monument, Salt, and Horn Creeks flow through four side canyons of the Colorado River within the Grand Canyon. They lie just west of Grand Canyon Village on the south side of the canyon. Each of these creeks is fed by at least one spring. Comparisons of flow at each of these springs for a 14 month period, and precipitation on the south rim show a close correlation. The lag period between recharge at the rim and discharge at the springs is less than one month for Hermit Creek and between one and two months for the other three creeks. The relative lag times and water chemistry of the springs indicate the length of the flow path to each spring. These suggest a dual source within the area of study. Two large faults lie in or near the area of study. These are the Hermit Fault, which lies near Hermit Creek, and the Bright Angel Fault, which lies just east of Horn Creek. Both faults trend in a general northeast direction and are accompanied by a wide fracture zone. Ground water flow in the area of study is iv largely controlled by these faults which seem to act as hydrologic collector structures and allow the water to move downward from the rim through the impermeable strata below. The flow at each spring is a combination of waters from two ground water systems. These ground water systems are controlled by the major faults. The water flows through fractures to each spring. The result is a structurally-controlled, interconnected flow system dominating the entire area of study.
- Type
- Published Report
- Authors
- Goings, David
- Date of Issue
- 1985-06
- Publisher
- Cooperative Park Studies Unit, University of Las Vegas
- Units
- GRCA , WRD
- Keywords
- Bright Angel Fault (GRCA), Coconino County (AZ), Fractures (Geologic), Geohydrology, Geology, Grand Canyon Village (GRCA), Groundwater, Hermit Creek (GRCA), Hermit Fault (GRCA), Horn Creek (GRCA), Hydrology, Monument Creek (GRCA), NPSRecord, Salt Creek (GRCA), Springs, Survey, Water, WRBIB