Where We Work

Arizona

In Arizona, America's second driest state, water is the most critical natural resource. Isolated by arid, expansive landscapes, springs are ecological islands of habitat that support a wide array of species. Find three of our current projects highlighted below.

The Verde River Basin (VRB) is a large watershed in central-northern Arizona. The Verde River is one of the last perennial rivers in Arizona, but has undergone substantial changes as the population of Yavapai and Coconino Counties have increased, placing substantial pressure on ground and surface water resources (Blasch et al. 2006; Haney et al. 2008). As an aridland river, it is subject to highly variable surface flow inputs, but its baseflow is sourced from a number of springs. Springs of the Verde River watershed support a wide array of wetland and upland plant and animal species. Our goal in the following report is to provide information to help the VRB community conserve and, where possible, preserve and restore flow, water quality, fluvial habitats, and the diverse plant, fish, and wildlife populations in this remarkable river basin. Integration of the information presented in this report into the community and into policy may help Verde River basin residents more thoroughly understand the roles, distribution, and importance of springs in maintaining Verde River baseflow, water quality, and springs-dependent species populations. We intend to provide a basic framework for future water quality and quantity monitoring, as well as habitat mapping, assessment, and enhancement, by resource managers and concerned citizens.

You can read the full report here.

The Nature Conservancy, with the Arizona Water Institute and Verde River Basin Partnership, published an extensive report, Ecological Implications of Verde River Flows.

Coyote Springs Rehabilitation

Coyote Springs, located on Museum of Northern Arizona grounds, is one of the last functioning springs in the San Francisco Peaks. With funding from the Coconino County Board of Supervisors, we will rehabilitate this spring to restore its ecological functionality. After removing an old non-functional concrete tank at one of the springs sources, SSI staff will then redesign the stream channels to increase diffuse flow into the wet meadow, and re-plant native wetland vegetation to restore the plant community. We will also construct a new trail segment that will link the spring with the adjacent trail system. We are very excited about this restoration project, and will

Grand Canyon- Roaring Springs

The Grand Canyon ecoregion contains over 1,500 springs (that we know of). The towering cliffs expose the edges of aquifers, resulting in one of the highest concentrations of springs in the United States. SSI will conduct a pre-treatment inventory of Roaring Springs and other control sites in Bright Angel Creek basin to provide control data for future assessment of construction impacts on the Roaring Springs ecosystem.  Learn more about springs research in the Grand Canyon.

Nevada

Nevada, America’s driest state, contains a high concentration of springs. As in other arid regions, the number of springs is unknown, and hundreds likely remain unmapped. The Nevada Department of Wildlife presents a springs map in their 2012 Draft Wildlife Action Plan.

Nevada Under-studied Springs Inventory

SSI is working with the Nevada Natural Heritage Program and the US EPA to compile and refine information about under-studied springs. In addition to resolving uncertainties and questions on previously compiled data, the SSI team will conduct over 200 inventories and assessments of springs in under-studied regions.

New Mexico

New Mexico, another arid southwestern state neighboring Arizona, also has numerous and diverse springs ecosystems. As with other arid states, many springs in New Mexico remain un-mapped and understudied.

Development of a Rapid Assessment Protocol

In cooperation with the New Mexico Environment Department Surface Water Quality Bureau Wetlands Program, SSI is working to develop a Rapid Assessment Protocol for springs in southern New Mexico. This rapid assessment protocol for springs will allow New Mexico to develop a framerwork to assess the condition ofs prings and prioritize restoration opportunities. In addition, SSI is conducting full surveys of over 40 springs in southern New Mexico. 

California

China Lake Spring Habitat Assessment

Native springs play a vital role in sustaining the ecosystem within Naval Air Weapons Station China Lake. Maintaining viable native springs through effective stewardship is an important component to NAWS China Lake's Integrated Natural Resources Management Plan. The first step to maintaining and improving effective spring stewardship requires creditable and consistent assessment and monitoring based on thorough scientific survey. SSI is conducting on-site springs surveys and compiling reports on each of the surveyed springs.

Multi-Region Projects

Texas & Mexico

SSI will develop local capacity for mapping and characterizing springs resources through workshops and trainings in Big Bend National Park, Parque Nacional Canon de Santa Elena, or nearby communitites. SSI's Springs Inventory Protocol (SIP) and Springs Ecosystem Assessment Protocol (SEAP) will be translated into Spanish. Officials from Mexican protected areas will meet with SSI to determine if any protocols need to be adjusted to meet the needs of those protected areas.

DESERT and Southern Rockies LCC

The Springs Stewardship institute will improve and expand the decision-support functions of a database describing springs across a broad geographic area, including parts of Utah, Colorado, Arizona, New Mexico, and Texas. The project will also include the development of user tools, such as the ability to export landscape-wide geodatabases, as well as smartphone apps to support citizen-science data collection.