Effects of Recreation on Water Quality in Guadalupe Mountains National Park
Effects of Recreation on Water Quality in Guadalupe Mountains National Park Douglas H . Dasher, Lloyd V. Urban, Marvin J. Dvoracek, Ernest B. Fish MEMBER ASAE ABSTRACT ater quality, both surface and ground, changes Wwith recreational use of wildlands. Paper reports water quality characteristics in the Guadalupe Moun tains National Park, TX. Present status of water quality is reported as generally good; however, total develop ment of park is incomplete. Some changes are being TO noted in the McKittrick Canyon. TO CARLSBAD, NEW MEXICO INTRODUCTION Guadalupe Mountains National Park was authorized by Public Law 89-667, October 15,1966, "To preserve in public ownership an area in the State of Texas possessing 5 CITY outstanding geologic values of great significance" (Na tional Park Service, 1973). Formal dedication and establishment of the park occurred on September 30 , NEW MEXICO NEW MEXICO TEXAS ---·-TEXA-i - -- 1972, following the acquisition of all properties within the present boundaries. Located on the southern end of the Guadalupe Moun NORTH tains in the trans-Pecos region of Texas, the park is be tween EI Paso, Texas, and Carlsbad, New Mexico (Fig . 1). Land surrounding the park is used primarily for graz 12~ 6 0 12 24 36 11m ing. The Guadalupe Mountains are composed largely of limestone, a remnant of a huge reef called the Capitan Barrier Reef. The mountains have the form of a 'V' with the apex pointing south and culminating abruptly in EI FIG. 1 Location map. Capitan, a prominent scarp face. The park has the distinction of containing within its boundaries the entire gamut from xeric desert shrub to mesic coniferous forest and including animals as diverse as cottontails and Any development of any degree, including trail mountain lions, porcupines and elk (National Park Ser reconstruction will alter the ecosystems to some ex vice, 1973).
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