Springs Monitoring at Chiricahua National Monument: 2024
Ormand E, Schnaubelt E, McIntyre C , Hubbard A . 2026. Springs Monitoring at Chiricahua National Monument: 2024. Science Report. NPS/SR—2026/445. National Park Service. Fort Collins, Colorado. https://doi.org/10.36967/2318578
The Sonoran Desert Inventory and Monitoring Network monitors three springs each year at Chiricahua National Monument, Arizona. We assess the condition of the spring, measure spring discharge and wetted extent (area that contained water), collect core water quality and water chemistry data, note the wetland plants and invasive plants and animals present, and sample for environmental DNA (eDNA) to inventory springs for rare species, invasive species, and pathogens. Each spring is somewhat unique, and Arizona has not adopted water quality standards that apply across the diversity of springs in the state. Therefore, we continue to collect water quality data at the springs to form a baseline reference of natural variance. We did not detect any of our eDNA target organisms at any of the three springs in 2024. Water was present at Garfield Spring in 2024, but the channel was not visibly flowing when we visited, so we were unable to measure discharge. We noted drying at the spring for the first time since monitoring began, but the temperature sensor indicated that the spring never completely dried up during the year. Sedges were growing at the site and no invasive plants or animals were detected. Shake Spring is modified by a springbox and iron pipe installed to direct the flow of water. The temperature sensor showed the spring had water all year. The spring is close to hiking trails and a main park road. A few common mullein plants (invasive species) are growing in the drainage and have been observed in other years. Wetland plants at the site included horsetail, monkeyflower, sedges, sycamore, and willow. Silver Spur Spring begins in a stagnant pool and continues with intermittent water in a series of large pools. In 2024, we detected evidence of a past fire around the spring, but riparian vegetation was unaffected. There was trash and vegetation trampling in and around the spring. The temperature sensor showed the spring had water all year. We first detected common mullein in 2022 and several of these plants were present in 2024. Wetland plants included horsetail, sedges, and sycamore.
- Type
- Published Report
- Authors
- Ormand, Elora; Schnaubelt, Elizabeth; McIntyre, Cheryl; Hubbard, Andy
- Date of Issue
- 2026-07
- Publisher
- National Park Service
- DOI
- 10.36967/2318578
- Units
- CHIR , NRSS , SODN
- Keywords
- discharge, eDNA, invasive species, monitoring, monitoring report, springs, springs monitoring, water chemistry, wetland plants
- Subjects
- Ecological Framework: Water | Hydrology | Surface Water Dynamics , Ecological Framework: Water | Water Quality | Water Chemistry , Ecological Framework: Biological Integrity | Invasive Species | Invasive/Exotic plants , Ecological Framework: Biological Integrity | Invasive Species | Invasive/Exotic animals , Ecological Framework: Biological Integrity | Focal Species or Communities | Wetland Communities , Ecological Framework: Biological Integrity | Focal Species or Communities | Freshwater Communities , Ecological Framework: Biological Integrity | Focal Species or Communities | Amphibians and Reptiles