Data Summary for Baseline Monitoring of Springs in Bighorn Canyon National Recreation Area

Schmitz, Denine

Aridland seeps and springs in Bighorn Canyon National Recreation Area (BICA) were identified as a vital sign for the Greater Yellowstone Inventory and Monitoring Network (GRYN). Seeps and spring ecosystems have an ecological importance disproportionate to their spatial extent in this desert environment. Protecting seep and spring resources requires in-depth understanding of their ecological character, controlling factors, and natural variability over space and time. A monitoring protocol was developed to track the ecological condition of BICA springs. To date only protocols for the physical parameters have been developed. There are 28 springs confirmed springs in the park. 24 springs have been established in NPSTORET. 20 of those have been sampled for baseline water quality. Three sites have not been sampled for water quality due to dry conditions. One site cannot be sampled until the park archeologist rules out disturbance to cultural resources. Two sites are seeps on the canyon walls above the reservoir and are not accessible. Four springs were used during protocol development and have been sampled for water quality seasonally since Fall 2004. This report aims to assess spring water quality based on data collected through 2006. Specifically, the objectives are to 1) summarize the spring water quality data set, 2) assess the nutrient status of springs according to the EPA 1986 water quality standards (US Environmental Protection Agency 1987), 3) chemically characterize spring sites, 3) determine the recharge for BICA springs, and 5) estimate water residence time for each spring.