Springs Monitoring at Fort Bowie National Historic Site: 2024
Callie B, Munson A, McIntyre C , Hubbard A . 2026. Springs Monitoring at Fort Bowie National Historic Site: 2024. Science Report. NPS/SR—2026/446. National Park Service. Fort Collins, Colorado. https://doi.org/10.36967/2318584
The Sonoran Desert Inventory and Monitoring Network monitors two springs each year at Fort Bowie National Historic Site, Arizona. We assess the condition of the site, 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 the springs in 2024. Apache Spring has multiple orifices along a drainage, and the primary orifice is influenced by a springbox, water pipes, and a rock retaining wall. It is an important water source and was a contributing factor in the establishment of Fort Bowie at this location. The spring was wet when we visited in 2024, and the temperature sensor indicated that it was wet all year. A trail leads to this spring and visitors were present during our monitoring visit. For the first time in 2024, we noticed some drying of the riparian vegetation. There were no invasive plants or animals and no obligate or facultative wetland plants at the spring in 2024. Lower Mine Spring is not directly connected to surface water but emerges from a springbox. The park’s allocation of water from this spring is piped downhill where it supports a springbrook and small pool. A social trail from the nearby road leads to the spring. The springbrook had water during our visit, and the temperature sensor showed it was wet all year. We did not find any invasive plants or animals in 2024. Wetland plants included mule-fat and sedges.
- Type
- Published Report
- Authors
- Callie, Bryn; Munson, Annika; McIntyre, Cheryl; Hubbard, Andy
- Date of Issue
- 2026-06
- Publisher
- National Park Service
- DOI
- 10.36967/2318584
- Units
- FOBO , 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