Inventory of Verde Headwater Springs

Understanding the geographic distribution, ecology, and hydrology of springs on a landscape is a crucial first step in a well-planned management and restoration program. SSI began this process in the Verde River Basin by conducting ecological inventory and assessment of Verde headwater springs.

Staff and volunteers used SSI’s standardized spring inventory protocols to describe, photograph, and map the Verde Headwater springs ecosystems. The survey crews measured spring flow rate, water quality, soils, geomorphology, solar radiation, and animal occurrence and abundance. Crews also documented the vegetation, assessed site ecological integrity, and documented human impacts and uses.

SSI has entered all springs inventory data into Springs Online, where finalized data is accessible to Verde River Basin partners. Springs Online is a relational database that can store complex information on the inter-related characteristics of springs ecosystems, and is a powerful tool to assist with efficient and effective reporting. If you would like access to Springs Online to view or contribute springs data, you can create an account for free at SpringsData.org.

Funding from this project also supported upgrading the Springs Online platform. This helped to ensure and expand upon the long-term availability, efficiency, and analytical and reporting capacity of Springs Online. Information on the Verde headwater springs, discharge, water quality, past reports and literature, and human population trends are maintained in Springs Online for long-term monitoring and ecosystem assessment analyses. Springs Online is available to VRB partners for future monitoring and support of volunteer stewardship programs.