Water Resources of Wind Cave National Park

Ohms, Marc

This report describes the water resources of Wind Cave National Park and summarizes past and ongoing hydrological studies. The Park’s water resources are vital for the vegetation, wildlife, cave resources, park visitors, and employees. In fact, without water to carve the region’s cave networks, the Park itself would not exist. The National Park Service (NPS) Management Policies of 2006 mandate that the Park protect its surface and ground water resources. The Foundation Statement for the Park (2011) identifies five fundamental resources, which are defined as those resources critical to achieving the Park’s purpose and maintaining its significance. The cave, karst, and water resources are on the list. The analysis of fundamental resources articulates the importance of each fundamental resource and value, the resource’s current condition, potential threats, and the related issues that need consideration in planning for and management of the resources. Identifying the resources and values that support the park purpose and significance provides managers with a focus on what is truly most important about a park. If the fundamental resources are degraded, then what is most important about the Park may be jeopardized. The objectives of this report are to 1) provide an inventory of the water resources of Wind Cave, 2) document both past and ongoing water resource investigations, and 3) identify impacts to Park water resources. Ultimately this report is designed to be a tool to help park management make informed decisions to help protect its surface and groundwater resources.

Water Resources of Wind Cave National Park

Series

Collections