Springs Monitoring at Tonto National Monument: 2024
Callie B, Munson A, McIntyre C , Hubbard A . 2026. Springs Monitoring at Tonto National Monument: 2024. Science Report. NPS/SR—2026/450. National Park Service. Fort Collins, Colorado. https://doi.org/10.36967/2318593
The Sonoran Desert Inventory and Monitoring Network monitors one spring—Cave Dweller Spring—at Tonto National Monument, 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. 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 Cave Dweller Spring in 2024. Cave Dweller Spring is a shallow springbrook connecting a series of small pools. The amount of water and flow are highly variable at this spring because of periodic flooding. The spring contained water when we visited in 2024, but we do not have persistence data for the year because the temperature sensor was missing. Given the scouring and sedimentation at the spring, we assume the temperature sensor was washed away in a flood event, which has happened in prior years as well. In years when we were able to retrieve the sensor, the spring had water year round. We found a matrix of red brome (invasive plant), similar to prior years, and wetland plants included sycamore and willow.
- Type
- Published Report
- Authors
- Callie, Bryn; Munson, Annika; McIntyre, Cheryl; Hubbard, Andy
- Date of Issue
- 2026-06
- Publisher
- National Park Service
- DOI
- 10.36967/2318593
- Units
- NRSS , SODN , TONT
- 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