Status of climate and water resources at Organ Pipe Cactus National Monument: Water year 2018
Raymond K, Palacios L, McIntyre C, Gwilliam EL. 2019. Status of climate and water resources at Organ Pipe Cactus National Monument: Water year 2018. Natural Resource Report. NPS/SODN/NRR—2019/2029. National Park Service. Fort Collins, Colorado
Climate and hydrology are major drivers of ecosystems. They dramatically shape ecosystem structure and function, particularly in arid and semi-arid ecosystems. Understanding changes in climate, groundwater, and surface water is central to assessing the condition of park biota and key cultural resources. This report combines data collected on climate, groundwater, and surface water at Organ Pipe Cactus National Monument (NM) to provide an integrated look at climate and water conditions during water year 2018 (October 2017–September 2018). Overall annual precipitation was 44% of normal. The cool season (October–March) was particularly dry, receiving just 18% (-4.07") of normal precipitation. A majority of the rainfall occurred in July. All other months, with the exception of June, had 0–45% of normal precipitation. Temperatures tended to be warmer than normal, and there were fewer extremely cold days. The reconnaissance drought index indicated that the regional drought that began in 2000 continued through WY2018. Water levels declined (-0.18 to -1.70 feet) at all nine monitored wells compared to WY2017. Over the data record, six wells, including the four wells around Lukeville, showed a general downward trend. The Bates #2, Bonita, and USGS #3 wells have been more variable, with periods of recovery occurring outside seasonal cycles. Disturbance surveys resulted in a median value of 1 = undisturbed for both anthropogenic and natural disturbance at all of the monument’s monitored springs except Quitobaquito Spring, given a rating of 2 for slight anthropogenic disturbance. Quitobaquito was also the only spring where invasive plants were observed. Sensor displacement prevented collection of reliable data on water quantity at two springs. Dripping Springs and Quitobaquito Spring were wetted throughout the water year. Water-quality measurements fell within the expected range for all springs.
- Type
- Published Report
- Authors
- Raymond, Kara; Palacios, Laura; McIntyre, Cheryl; Gwilliam, Evan
- Date of Issue
- 2019-10
- Publisher
- National Park Service
- Units
- NRSS , ORPI , SODN
- Keywords
- climate, groundwater, monitoring, springs
- Subjects
- Ecological Framework: Air and Climate | Weather and Climate | Weather and Climate , Ecological Framework: Water | Hydrology | Groundwater Dynamics , Ecological Framework: Water | Hydrology | Surface Water Dynamics , Ecological Framework: Water | Water Quality | Water Chemistry