Groundwater Monitoring
Manson S, Berger C, Carlsen W. 2023. Groundwater Monitoring. National Park Service, Joshua Tree National Park
Joshua Tree National Park has monitored groundwater levels at 24 historic drilled wells since 2007, replacing earlier monitoring by the U.S. Geological Survey, among others. A 25th historic well was added to the program in 2021. Depth to water has increased throughout the park since 2012; only one well showed water levels higher in 2021. Climate change has increased the average temperatures and decreased precipitation in recent years, and monitoring groundwater and surface springs is an important tool for gauging the effects of climate change and developing management strategies to protect natural resources.
- Type
- Resource Brief
- Authors
- Manson, Stacy; Berger, Cynthia; Carlsen, William
- Date of Issue
- 2023-04-19
- Publisher
- National Park Service, Joshua Tree National Park
- Units
- JOTR
- Keywords
- climate change, groundwater, groundwater monitoring, Joshua Tree National Park, park science
- Subjects
- Ecological Framework: Water | Hydrology | Groundwater Dynamics , NPS.gov Subject Site: Park Science , NPS.gov Subject Site: Protecting Water