Surveys of Springs in the Colorado River Drainage in Arches National Park, Canyonlands National Park, Glen Canyon National Recreation Area, and Grand Canyon National Park
Spence JR and National Park Service, Department of the Interior. 2004. Surveys of Springs in the Colorado River Drainage in Arches National Park, Canyonlands National Park, Glen Canyon National Recreation Area, and Grand Canyon National Park. Account No. 1445-7431-NWZ (1997)Account No. 1445-8250-NWZ (1998). Page, AZ
Water Resources Division funding was obtained to survey the plants, aquatic invertebrates and water chemistry and quality of springs associated with an 800 kilometer stretch of the Colorado River on the Colorado Plateau, southern Utah and northern Arizona. Springs in four NPS units were sampled, Arches National Park, Canyonlands National Park, Glen Canyon National Recreation Area, and Grand Canyon National Park. During 1997 and 1998 60 springs were visited. Springs were selected based on presence of availability of previous studies, as well as accessibility and water discharge· rates. The distribution of sampled springs by park was, Arches NP (4), Canyonlands NP (4), Glen Canyon NRA (29) and Grand Canyon NP (23). Detailed data using ultra-pure techniques is presented on the water chemistry of sampled spring water. Field data were also collected on water temperature, pH, dissolved oxygen, and conductivity. Discharge rates were measured using a variety of methods, and varied from seeps that couldn't be quantified to > 7000 ml/second. Spring water chemistry and pH values were differentiated by source geological strata, with significant differences in many elements between springs derived from limestones and springs derived from sandstones.