Status of climate and water resources at Carlsbad Caverns National Park: Water year 2018
Palacios L, Raymond K, McIntyre C. 2019. Status of climate and water resources at Carlsbad Caverns National Park: Water year 2018. Natural Resource Report. NPS/CHDN/NRR—2019/2039. 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, streamflow, and water quality is central to assessing the condition of park biota and key cultural resources. This report combines data collected on climate and surface water at Carlsbad Caverns National Park (NP) to provide an integrated look at climate and water conditions during water year (WY) 2018 (October 2017–September 2018). Overall, annual precipitation was 53% of normal in WY2018. Except for a higher than normal rainfall in November, all months had lower than normal rainfall, with six months receiving <50% of normal (1981-2010). Temperatures at Carlsbad Caverns NP were generally warmer than normal, as great as 6.5°F higher than monthly normals. While extreme cold days occurred slightly less frequently, extreme warm days occurred 28% more often. The reconnaissance drought index indicated that WY2018 was a drier than average year. Six springs were monitored in the park and all had surface water present when visited in WY2018. Although overall (median) disturbance ratings were low, each spring showed some sort of natural or anthropogenic disturbance.
- Type
- Published Report
- Authors
- Palacios, Laura; Raymond, Kara; McIntyre, Cheryl
- Date of Issue
- 2019-11
- Publisher
- National Park Service
- Units
- CAVE , CHDN , NRSS
- Keywords
- Climate and Water Monitoring
- 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