Overview
Groundwater is the source of all perennial surface water bodies in the Sonoran Desert. Availability of groundwater is critical to plant productivity; nutrient, water, and energy flows; and wildlife. All Sonoran Desert Network parks obtain their drinking water from groundwater wells. In many parts of the American Southwest, long-term drought and human development have led to significant declines in groundwater levels at local and regional scales.
In many network parks, routine groundwater monitoring by other agencies does not occur. Groundwater declines often occur gradually, in response to the combined effects of "distributed point sources," such as wells and springs, and "nonpoint sources," such as climate, vegetation, and streams. Soil losses result in rapid runoff and reduced infiltration following wildfire, posing another threat to groundwater resources. These factors make long-term monitoring extremely important.
Knowing about the status and trends of groundwater levels helps park managers to work with regional partners and within their own parks to conserve resources and plan for future needs. For instance, local groundwater impacts associated with reductions in infiltration and storage are often related to soil loss and other changes in surface characteristics. These can be directly addressed by management actions aimed at soil conservation, fire management, and recharge enhancement. Groundwater impacts associated with stream entrenchment can be mitigated if the changes to stream morphology are identified in the early stages. Groundwater monitoring also allows managers to develop conceptual models needed to better understand actual or potential local impacts of groundwater pumping.
Measurements and Objectives
The program collects data on depth-to-water and water-level elevation in order to:
- Detect long-term changes in groundwater levels,
- Support interpretation of surface monitoring results,
- Extend regional groundwater data and regional groundwater trends to immediate park locales,
- Contribute to an understanding of water-balance dynamics at parks (including relationships between groundwater and surface water resources, biota and climate),
- Support larger scale water balance efforts by other agencies,
- Assess site suitability for riparian habitat, and
- Document water-level elevations to support legal protection of the resource.
For more information, contact Regional Hydrologist Salek Shafiquallah.
Quick Reads
Showing results 1-8 of 8
- Locations: Organ Pipe Cactus National Monument
- Offices: Sonoran Desert Inventory & Monitoring Network
Sonoran Desert Network scientists monitor key resources and weather at Organ Pipe Cactus National Monument by taking measurements throughout the year, which helps us notice changes over time. This report summarizes weather, groundwater, and springs data from Water Year 2022. The data indicate the park's springs contained near-average levels of water, but high levels of several water chemistry parameters. WY2022 was warm and dry overall, with fewer cold days than average.
- Locations: Fort Bowie National Historic Site
- Offices: Sonoran Desert Inventory & Monitoring Network
Understanding changes in climate, groundwater, and surface water is key to assessing the condition of natural and cultural resources on national parks. At Fort Bowie National Historic Site we conduct long-term monitoring of climate, groundwater, and springs to provide early warning of potential problems, allowing managers to mitigate them before they become worse. In water year 2022, precipitation was boosted by an above average monsoon season.
- Locations: Saguaro National Park
- Offices: Sonoran Desert Inventory & Monitoring Network
Climate and water shape ecosystems and the services they provide, particularly in arid places like the Sonoran Desert. We monitor climate, groundwater, and 16 springs at the park to help managers protect park resources. Understanding how climate and water may be changing over time can also help explain changes in plants and animals on the park.
- Locations: Tumacácori National Historical Park
- Offices: Sonoran Desert Inventory & Monitoring Network
Sonoran Desert Network scientists monitor key resources and weather at Tumacácori National Historical Park by taking measurements throughout the year, which helps us notice changes over time. This report summarizes weather, groundwater, and springs data from Water Year 2022. The data indicate the park's groundwater is rising slightly. WY2022 was warm and wet overall, though most precipitation was due to three extreme months of rainfall making up for otherwise dry conditions.
- Locations: Casa Grande Ruins National Monument
- Offices: Sonoran Desert Inventory & Monitoring Network
Sonoran Desert Network scientists take measurements of key resources at Casa Grande Ruins to understand how natural resources in the park may be changing over time. This report summarizes analyses of weather and groundwater data from water year 2022. The data indicate the park is in mild drought though groundwater levels remain stable. Temperatures were warmer than average. Ten months had below average rainfall, but two months experiencing extreme precipitation.
- Locations: Chiricahua National Monument
- Offices: Sonoran Desert Inventory & Monitoring Network
This report summarizes the Sonoran Desert Network’s analyses of weather, groundwater, and springs data from Water Year 2022 in Chiricahua National Monument. Monitoring these important natural resources at the park helps us understand changes over time. The data indicate the park had a heavy monsoon season and is not in drought, though most months had far below average precipitation. The groundwater was higher than in WY2021, though surface water springs show signs of drying.
- Locations: Montezuma Castle National Monument
- Offices: Inventory and Monitoring Division, Natural Resource Stewardship and Science Directorate, Sonoran Desert Inventory & Monitoring Network
At Montezuma Castle National Monument, the precontact built environment reflects the importance of reliable water sources. At this parks, the Sonoran Desert Network monitors climate, groundwater, and springs. Understanding changes in these closely linked factors helps managers make informed decisions affecting both natural and cultural resources. Learn about our findings for water year 2022.
- Locations: Coronado National Memorial
- Offices: Inventory and Monitoring Division, Natural Resource Stewardship and Science Directorate, Sonoran Desert Inventory & Monitoring Network
At Coronado National Memorial, desert plants, wildlife, and visitors all depend on reliable water sources. The Sonoran Desert Network monitors climate, groundwater, and springs at the memorial. Understanding changes in these closely linked factors helps managers make informed decisions affecting natural resources. Learn about our recent findings.
Source: Data Store Saved Search 3614. To search for additional information, visit the Data Store.
Last updated: May 9, 2022