Physical Sciences Program - Understanding the Grand Canyon’s Springs and Aquifers Nicholas Steele Physical Science Technician Science and Resource Management Grand Canyon National Park Managed Resources Water Resources: springs and Air Resources Caves Paleontology aquifers GRCA Hydrology: Why do we do it? “Water is the driving force of all nature.” — Leonardo da Vinci GRCA Hydrology: Why do we do it? “We forget that the water cycle and the life cycle are one.” — Jacques Yves Cousteau GRCA Hydrology: Why do we do it? “We forget that the water cycle and the life cycle are one.” — Jacques Yves Cousteau GRCA Hydrology: Why do we do it? “We forget that the water cycle and the life cycle are one.” — Jacques Yves Cousteau GRCA Hydrology: Why do we do it? “When the well is dry, we learn the worth of water” — Benjamin Franklin • Threats: Stefan Christie GRCA Hydrology: Why do we do it? “When the well is dry, we learn the worth of water” — Benjamin Franklin • Threats: • Increased visitation Demand Stefan Christie GRCA Hydrology: Why do we do it? “When the well is dry, we learn the worth of water” — Benjamin Franklin • Threats: • Increased visitation Demand Climate change • Supply Stefan Christie GRCA Hydrology: Why do we do it? “When the well is dry, we learn the worth of water” — Benjamin Franklin • Threats: • Increased visitation Demand Climate change • Supply • Contamination (Bison, Uranium) Stefan Christie GRCA Hydrology: Why do we do it? “When the well is dry, we learn the worth of water” — Benjamin Franklin • Threats: • Increased visitation Demand Climate change • Supply • Contamination (Bison, Uranium) We need to better understand the vulnerabilities, flow paths, and water budget of GRCA aquifers Stefan Christie Grand Canyon Groundwater Coconino Aquifer “C aquifer” Redwall-Muav Aquifer “R aquifer” Grand Canyon Groundwater Robber’s Roost (C aquifer) Roaring Springs (R aquifer) Karst Terrain Karst Terrain “Fingerprinting” the C-aquifer What: • Characterizing chemistry of C – aquifer Why: • Allows us to compare data from R - and C - aquifers and infer regional hydraulic connections. • Will allow us to better determine how water moves vertically through the layers of rock. How: • Looking at 22 springs to see how C – aquifer changes seasonally and spatially across KP. Results: • C aquifer divided into three distinct regions: • 1) chloride-sulphate in north with minimal seasonal hydraulic response • 2) minimal dissolved ion abundance in the east, central, southern areas with moderate-to rapid seasonal hydraulic response • 3) higher calcium-alkalinity as CaCO3 water to the west with minimal-to moderate seasonal hydraulic response. • Stable isotope analyses indicate that most groundwater recharge is biased towards winter precipitation and high-elevation recharge areas Modeling Vulnerability to Contamination What: • Modelling the vulnerability of C and R aquifers to contamination. Why: • To better understand how contaminants move through the groundwater system. • To identify regions on the Kaibab Plateau surface that are sensitive to groundwater recharge COP Method Vulnerability Map of the Kaibab Plateau Shallow, C Aquifer Deep, R Aquifer Key Findings: • High sinkhole density = proximity to major faults and fractures • High sinkhole density = locations of greatest infiltration. • Large swaths of plateau have very high vulnerability Environmental DNA Sampling What: • Creating database recording the distribution and presence of plants and animals throughout springs and drainages. Why: • Testing if we can use methodology as a means of defining groundwater basins and for possibly tracing springs. How: • Collected samples from over 100 unique spring sources and creeks. • NAU genetics lab analyzing samples. Other Hydrology Projects • Precipitation response analysis – • Exploring connectivity between monsoon precipitation and springs by modeling spring discharge. • Using monsoon precipitation as tracer to determine travel times and to inform future dye traces. • Shivwits Plateau spring inventory– • First ever robust spring inventory of the Shivwits Plateau conducted in Spring and Fall of 2019. Recent publications • Wood, Alexander, 2019, Hydrogeology of the Coconino Aquifer on the Kaibab Plateau, Grand Canyon, Arizona, Northern Arizona University, Flagstaff, AZ, USA • Jones, Casey, 2017, Characterization of the Redwall-Muav Aquifer of the Grand Canyon and Kaibab Plateau, Arizona, Northern Arizona University, Flagstaff, AZ, USA • Swanson, Riles & Springer, Abe & Kreamer, Dave and Perry, Denielle & Tobin, Benjamin (in production) Quantifying the base flow of the Colorado River: its importance in sustaining perennial flow in northern Arizona and southern Utah • Wood, Alex & Springer, Abe & & Tobin, Benjamin (in review) Using Springs to Evaluate Karst-Siliciclastic Aquifers: Kaibab Plateau, Grand Canyon. Journal of Environmental and Engineering Geoscience. • Jones, Natalie & Hansen, Jered & Springer, Abraham & Valle, Cynthia & Tobin, Benjamin. (2019). Modeling intrinsic vulnerability of complex karst aquifers: modifying the COP method to account for sinkhole density and fault location. Hydrogeology Journal. 1-12. 10.1007/s10040-019-02056-2. • Bair, Russell & Tobin, Benjamin & Healy, Brian & Spangenberg, Claire & Childres, Hampton & Schenk, Edward. (2019). Modeling Temperature Regime and Physical Habitat Impacts from Restored Streamflow. Environmental Management. 63. 10.1007/s00267-019-01157-8. • Tobin, Benjamin & Springer, Abraham & Kreamer, David & Schenk, Edward. (2017). Review: The distribution, flow, and quality of Grand Canyon Springs, Arizona (USA). Hydrogeology Journal. 10.1007/s10040-017-1688-8. • Jones, Casey & Springer, Abraham & Tobin, Benjamin & Zappitello, Sarah & Jones, Natalie. (2017). Characterization and hydraulic behavior of the complex karst of the Kaibab Plateau and Grand Canyon National Park, USA. Geological Society, London, Special Publications. SP466.5. 10.1144/SP466.5. What? Why? How? Extra Slides June 2015 Monsoon Event – Roaring Springs Piston-Flow peak (increase in discharge 2 days post monsoon) Monsoon Signature Surface water infiltration peak (decrease in temperature 6 days post monsoon).