Status of climate and water resources at Saguaro National Park: Water year 2019

2021 ◽  
Author(s):  
Kara Raymond ◽  
Laura Palacios ◽  
Cheryl McIntyre ◽  
Evan Gwilliam
Keyword(s):  
Surface Water ◽  
Water Level ◽  
National Park ◽  
Natural Disturbance ◽  
Water Levels ◽  
Annual Rainfall ◽  
Learning Center ◽  
Mountain Station ◽  
The Mean ◽  
Desert Research

Climate and hydrology are major drivers of ecosystems. They dramatically shape ecosystem structure and function, particularly in arid and semi-arid ecosystems. Understanding changes in climate, groundwater, and water quality and quantity is central to assessing the condition of park biota and key cultural resources. The Sonoran Desert Network collects data on climate, groundwater, and surface water at 11 National Park Service units in south-ern Arizona and New Mexico. This report provides an integrated look at climate, groundwater, and springs conditions at Saguaro National Park (NP) during water year 2019 (October 2018–September 2019). Annual rainfall in the Rincon Mountain District was 27.36" (69.49 cm) at the Mica Mountain RAWS station and 12.89" (32.74 cm) at the Desert Research Learning Center Davis station. February was the wettest month, accounting for nearly one-quarter of the annual rainfall at both stations. Each station recorded extreme precipitation events (>1") on three days. Mean monthly maximum and minimum air temperatures were 25.6°F (-3.6°C) and 78.1°F (25.6°C), respectively, at the Mica Mountain station, and 37.7°F (3.2°C) and 102.3°F (39.1°C), respectively, at the Desert Research Learning Center station. Overall temperatures in WY2019 were cooler than the mean for the entire record. The reconnaissance drought index for the Mica Mountain station indicated wetter conditions than average in WY2019. Both of the park’s NOAA COOP stations (one in each district) had large data gaps, partially due to the 35-day federal government shutdown in December and January. For this reason, climate conditions for the Tucson Mountain District are not reported. The mean groundwater level at well WSW-1 in WY2019 was higher than the mean for WY2018. The water level has generally been increasing since 2005, reflecting the continued aquifer recovery since the Central Avra Valley Storage and Recovery Project came online, recharging Central Arizona Project water. Water levels at the Red Hills well generally de-clined starting in fall WY2019, continuing through spring. Monsoon storms led to rapid water level increases. Peak water level occurred on September 18. The Madrona Pack Base well water level in WY2019 remained above 10 feet (3.05 m) below measuring point (bmp) in the fall and winter, followed by a steep decline starting in May and continuing until the end of September, when the water level rebounded following a three-day rain event. The high-est water level was recorded on February 15. Median water levels in the wells in the middle reach of Rincon Creek in WY2019 were higher than the medians for WY2018 (+0.18–0.68 ft/0.05–0.21 m), but still generally lower than 6.6 feet (2 m) bgs, the mean depth-to-water required to sustain juvenile cottonwood and willow trees. RC-7 was dry in June–September, and RC-4 was dry in only September. RC-5, RC-6 and Well 633106 did not go dry, and varied approximately 3–4 feet (1 m). Eleven springs were monitored in the Rincon Mountain District in WY2019. Most springs had relatively few indications of anthropogenic or natural disturbance. Anthropogenic disturbance included spring boxes or other modifications to flow. Examples of natural disturbance included game trails and scat. In addition, several sites exhibited slight disturbance from fires (e.g., burned woody debris and adjacent fire-scarred trees) and evidence of high-flow events. Crews observed 1–7 taxa of facultative/obligate wetland plants and 0–3 invasive non-native species at each spring. Across the springs, crews observed four non-native plant species: rose natal grass (Melinis repens), Kentucky bluegrass (Poa pratensis), crimson fountaingrass (Cenchrus setaceus), and red brome (Bromus rubens). Baseline data on water quality and chemistry were collected at all springs. It is likely that that all springs had surface water for at least some part of WY2019. However, temperature sensors to estimate surface water persistence failed...

scholarly journals Dynamics of fortnightly water level variations along a tide-dominated estuary with negligible river discharge

2021 ◽  
Author(s):  
Erwan Garel ◽  
Ping Zhang ◽  
Huayang Cai
Keyword(s):  
Water Level ◽  
Phase Difference ◽  
River Discharge ◽  
Water Levels ◽  
Level Increase ◽  
Upstream Direction ◽  
Water Level Variations ◽  
Mean Water Level ◽  
The Mean ◽  
Guadiana Estuary

Abstract. Observations indicate that the fortnightly fluctuations in mean water level increase in amplitude along the lower half of a tide-dominated estuary (The Guadiana estuary) with negligible river discharge but remain constant upstream. Analytical solutions reproducing the semi-diurnal wave propagation shows that this pattern results from reflection effects at the estuary head. The phase difference between velocity and elevation increases from the mouth to the head (where the wave has a standing nature) as the high and low water levels get progressively closer to slack water. Thus, the tidal (flood-ebb) asymmetry in discharge is reduced in the upstream direction. It becomes negligible along the upper estuary half, as the mean sea level remains constant despite increased friction due to wave shoaling. Observations of a flat mean water level along a significant portion of an upper estuary, easier to obtain than the phase difference, can therefore indicate significant reflection of the propagating semi-diurnal wave at the head. Details of the analytical model shows that changes in the mean depth or length of semi-arid estuaries, in particular for macrotidal locations, affect the fortnightly tide amplitude, and thus the upstream mass transport and inundation regime. This has significant potential impacts on the estuarine environment.

Influence of morphometric parameters and meteorological conditions on ephemeral pool hydrology in the Canadian Shield forest 

2021 ◽  
Author(s):  
Marjolaine Roux ◽  
Marie Larocque ◽  
Philippe Nolet ◽  
Sylvain Gagné
Keyword(s):  
Surface Water ◽  
Water Level ◽  
Meteorological Conditions ◽  
Canadian Shield ◽  
Water Levels ◽  
Forest Biodiversity ◽  
Rainfall Events ◽  
Ephemeral Pools ◽  
Water Level Variations ◽  
Dry Out

<p>Ephemeral pools are geographically isolated wetlands commonly found in temperate forests of northeastern North America. These wetlands are usually hydrologically isolated from the surface water network but in some conditions can be connected to local groundwater flow. They fill at maximal capacity following spring snowmelt and dry out during summer. They contribute to forest biodiversity by providing breeding habitats for amphibians during their spring and early summer period of hydrological activity. However, ephemeral pools are poorly understood and rarely studied because of their small dimensions and temporary hydrology. This work presents the final results of a five-year study aimed to acquire new knowledge on ephemeral pool hydrology to go beyond the anecdotical pool and to understand the conditions and processes that driving their hydrology. A large number of pools (39) located in the Canadian Shield forest were instrumented to monitor hourly water level variations in the pool and in the neighboring and underlying fractured bedrock aquifer. They were also described in extensive details for their geomorphological features and water levels over a period from one to five years (April 2016 to July 2020). The first rather surprising result from this work is that, although the pools are all located in bedrock depressions, they cover a wide range of morphologies. Their maximum sizes vary from 29 to 1866 m<sup>2</sup> and their maximal volumes vary from 4 to 654 m<sup>3</sup>. Their maximum water depths are also highly contrasted, ranging from 0.14 m to 2.03 m. The pool depressions are overlain by mineral sediments (silt to fine sand with occurrences of coarse sand and gravel) of contrasted thicknesses (0 m to 1.70 m). An organic matter layer of highly varying thickness (0.12 m to 1.24 m) was observed at all sites above the mineral sediments. Despite these varied morphological conditions, all the pools have similar hydrological patterns throughout the year and these patterns are highly resilient to meteorological conditions. They dry out between the end of May and the end of July, rapid temporary refilling during important summer rainfall events, and partially refilling in autumn following more frequent rainfall events and lower evapotranspiration. The results show that surface water levels are maintained when the underlying sediments are saturated. Otherwise, the ephemeral pools lose water by infiltration to the underlying aquifer. Water level variations within the pools are positively and significantly correlated with net precipitation (P – PET). Hydroperiods vary between 28 days (2020) and 86 days (2017), reflecting the year-to-year meteorological variability. The mean hydroperiod is significantly correlated to spring rainfall (April to June), but also to the volume of water stored in the pool, and to the pool surface area. This study provides a unique and original dataset that contribute to better understand the hydrodynamics and resilience to anthropogenic (forestry) and natural (climate change) impacts of a wetland type that is rarely studied but provide crucial habitats for forest biodiversity.</p>

scholarly journals Evaluation of the Uncertainty of Flash Flood Prediction Using the RRI Model in Mountainous Rivers

10.29007/n72w ◽  
2018 ◽  
Author(s):  
Yosuke Nakamura ◽  
Koji Ikeuchi ◽  
Shiori Abe ◽  
Toshio Koike ◽  
Shinji Egashira
Keyword(s):  
Water Level ◽  
Lead Time ◽  
Hydrological Model ◽  
Flash Flood ◽  
Flood Damage ◽  
Water Levels ◽  
Uncertainty Distribution ◽  
Flood Prediction ◽  
The Mean ◽  
Level 2

In recent years, flood damage caused by flash floods in mountainous rivers has been frequently reported in Japan. In order to ensure a sufficient lead time for safe evacuation, it is necessary to predict river water levels in real time utilizing a hydrological model. In this study, we conducted flood prediction using the RRI model and rainfall forecasted for the next 6 hours in the Kagetsu River basin (136.1 km2) in July 2017, evaluated the uncertainty regarding the prediction, and illustrated the results using a box-plot. The evaluation found that the mean error of the forecasted water level was approximately - 0.3 m in the prediction for the initial 3 hours and -0.97 m at the 6th hour. Also, the study investigated the possibility of correcting water levels forecasted by clarifying an uncertainty distribution. As a result, the water level forecasted was found to be underestimated because it was predicted to rise as high as Warning Level 2, while the water level forecasted with bias correction was predicted to reach Warning Level 4. Moreover, the lead time was estimated to prolong by 2 hours. Overall, the study suggested that flood forecasting can be improved by considering the uncertainty involved in prediction.

scholarly journals Groundwater–surface water relations in regulated lowland catchments; hydrological and hydrochemical effects of a major change in surface water level management

2018 ◽  
Author(s):  
Joachim Rozemeijer ◽  
Janneke Klein ◽  
Dimmie Hendriks ◽  
Wiebe Borren ◽  
Maarten Ouboter ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Land Use ◽  
Surface Water ◽  
Water Level ◽  
Water Exchange ◽  
Overland Flow ◽  
Water Levels ◽  
Pumping Stations ◽  
Level Regime ◽  
Solute Fluxes ◽  
Water Level Management

Abstract. In lowland deltas with intensive land use such as The Netherlands, surface water levels are tightly controlled by inlet of diverted river water during dry periods and discharge via large-scale pumping stations during wet periods. The conventional water level regime in these polder catchments is either a fixed water level year-round or an unnatural regime with a lower winter level and a higher summer level in order to optimize hydrological conditions for agricultural land use. The objective of this study was to assess the hydrological and hydrochemical effects of changing the water level management from a conventional fixed water level regime to a flexible, more natural regime with low levels in summer and high levels in winter between predefined minimum and maximum levels. Ten study catchments were hydrologically isolated and equipped with controlled inlet and outlet weirs or pumping stations. The water level management was converted into a flexible regime. We used water and solute balance modeling for catchment-scale assessments of changes in water and solute fluxes. Our model results show relevant changes in the water exchange fluxes between the polder catchment and the regional water system and between the groundwater, surface water, and field surface storage domains within the catchment. Compared to the reference water level regime, the flexible water level regime water balance scenario showed increased surface water residence times, reduced inlet and outlet fluxes, reduced groundwater-surface water exchange, and in some catchments increased overland flow. The solute balance results show a general reduction of chloride concentrations and a general increase in N-tot concentrations. The total phosphorus (P-tot) and sulfate (SO4) concentration responses varied and depended on catchment-specific characteristics. For our study catchments, our analyses provided a quantification of the water flux changes after converting towards flexible water level management. Regarding the water quality effects, this study identified the risks of increased overland flow in former agricultural fields with nutrient enriched top soils and of increased seepage of deep groundwater which can deliver extra nutrients to surface water. At a global scale, catchments in low-lying and subsiding deltas are increasingly being managed in a similar way as the Dutch polders. Applying our water and solute balance approach to these areas may prevent unexpected consequences of the implemented water level regimes.

Groundwater modelling for time periods of up to hundreds of thousands of years.

2020 ◽  
Author(s):  
Gerrit H. de Rooij ◽  
Thomas Mueller
Keyword(s):  
Surface Water ◽  
Water Level ◽  
Coastal Plain ◽  
Land Surface ◽  
Hydraulic Head ◽  
Water Levels ◽  
Analytical Models ◽  
Time Interval ◽  
Mountain Range ◽  
Time Step

<p>Occasionally, there is an interest in groundwater flows over many millennia. The input parameter requirement of numerical groundwater flow models and their calculation times limit their usefulness for such studies.</p><p>Analytical models require considerable simplifications of the properties and geometry of aquifers and of the forcings. On the other hand, they do not appear to have an inherent limitation on the duration of the simulated period. The simplest models have explicit solutions, meaning that the hydraulic head at a given time and location can be calculated directly, without the need to incrementally iterate through the entire preceding time period like their numerical counterparts.</p><p>We developed an analytical solution for a simple aquifer geometry: a strip aquifer between a no flow boundary and a body of surface water with a prescribed water level. This simplicity permitted flexible forcings: The non-uniform initial hydraulic head in the aquifer is arbitrary and the surface water level can vary arbitrarily with time. Aquifer recharge must be uniform in space but can also vary arbitrarily with time.</p><p>We also developed a modification that verifies after prescribed and constant time intervals if the hydraulic head is such that the land surface is covered with water. This excess water then infiltrates in areas where the groundwater level is below the surface and the remainder is discharged into the surface water. The hydraulic head across the aquifer is modified accordingly and used as the initial condition for the next time interval. This modification models the development of a river network during dry periods. The increased flexibility of the model comes at the price of the need to go through the entire simulation period one time step at a time. For very long time records, these intervals will typically be one year.</p><p>Given the uncertainty of the aquifer parameters and the forcings, the models are expected to be used in a stochastic framework. We are therefore working on a shell that accepts multiple values for each parameter as well as multiple scenarios of surface water levels and groundwater recharge rates, along with an estimate of their probabilities. The shell will generate all possible resulting combinations, the number of which can easily exceed 10000, then runs the model for each combination, and computes statistics of the average hydraulic head and the aquifer discharge into the surface water at user-specified times.</p><p>A case study will tell if this endeavor is viable. We will model the aquifer below the mountain range north of Salalah in Oman, which separates the desert of the Arabian Peninsula from the coastal plain at its southern shore. Rainfall estimates from the isotopic composition of stalactites in the area indicate distinct dry and wet periods in the past 300 000 years. In combination with estimated sea level fluctuations over that period, this provides an interesting combination of forcings. We examine the dynamics of the total amount of water stored in the aquifer, and of the outflow of water from the aquifer into the coastal plain.</p>

scholarly journals REAKCJA WÓD POWIERZCHNIOWYCH I PODZIEMNYCH NA OPADY W ZLEWNI RÓŻANEGO STRUMIENIA

1970 ◽  
pp. 7-19
Author(s):  
ALEKSANDRA CZUCHAJ ◽  
FILIP WOLNY ◽  
MAREK MARCINIAK
Keyword(s):  
Time Series ◽  
Surface Water ◽  
Water Level ◽  
Correlation Coefficient ◽  
Groundwater Level ◽  
Water Levels ◽  
Groundwater Levels

The aim of the presented research was to analyze the relation between three variables: the daily sum of precipitation, the surface water level and the groundwater level in the Różany Strumień basin located in Poznań, Poland. The correlation coefficient for the subsequent lags for each pair of variables time series has been calculated. The delay with which waters of the basin respond to precipitation varies significantly. Generally, stronger response to rainfall is observed for surface water levels as opposed to groundwater levels.

scholarly journals Greenhouse gas emissions and surface water management

2020 ◽  
Vol 382 ◽  
pp. 643-649
Author(s):  
Anne Marieke Motelica-Wagenaar ◽  
Jos Beemster
Keyword(s):  
Surface Water ◽  
Greenhouse Gas Emissions ◽  
Greenhouse Gas ◽  
Water Level ◽  
Groundwater Level ◽  
Ghg Emissions ◽  
Gas Emissions ◽  
Soil Subsidence ◽  
Water Board ◽  
The Mean

Abstract. Soil subsidence is one of the major issues in the management area of the water authority Amstel, Gooi and Vecht, including emissions of greenhouse gases. This paper describes four different methods to calculate these emissions in agricultural peat meadows, based on (1) the mean lowest groundwater level, (2) the mean groundwater level, (3) the subsidence rates and (4) general numbers. The emissions were calculated in two polders (about 2600 ha peat meadow), these were comparable for all methods, ranging from 42 up to 50 kton CO2-eq yr−1 (based on data of 2015), which is about 14.5 up to 19 t CO2-eq ha−1 yr−1. Besides, the greenhouse gas emissions were compared for different policy scenario's in one polder subunit (283 ha): (1) standard policy (lowering surface water level at the same rate as soil subsidence taking place), (2) passive rewetting (surface water level fixation), (3) subsurface irrigation by submerged drains, and (4) a maximum surface water level decrease of 6 mm yr−1. Comparing the four policy scenario's in one polder subunit, greenhouse gas emissions were lowest in case of subsurface irrigation, decreasing greenhouse gas emissions by about 35 %–50 % in this polder compared to standard policy, meaning a decrease of about 5.5–9.3 t CO2-eq ha−1 yr−1. This represents a value of about 550–930 EUR ha−1 yr−1 (at a price of EUR 100 per ton CO2-eq). The scenario passive rewetting leads to a decrease of about 12 %–21 %, or 2–3 t CO2-eq ha−1 yr−1 compared to standard policy. The estimation of the decrease in GHG emissions depends on the assumptions made. In this study it was assumed that subsurface irrigation halves soil subsidence. The water board will use the described procedures to estimate greenhouse gas emissions in the future to support water level management in areas with peat soils.

scholarly journals Analytical approach for determining the mean water level profile in an estuary with substantial fresh water discharge

2015 ◽  
Vol 12 (8) ◽  
pp. 8381-8417 ◽  
Author(s):  
H. Cai ◽  
H. H. G. Savenije ◽  
C. Jiang ◽  
L. Zhao ◽  
Q. Yang
Keyword(s):  
Water Level ◽  
Fresh Water ◽  
Flood Control ◽  
Analytical Approach ◽  
Water Discharge ◽  
Water Levels ◽  
Wide Range ◽  
Mean Water Level ◽  
The Mean ◽  
Fresh Water Discharge

Abstract. Although modestly, the mean water level in estuaries rises in landward direction induced by a combination of the salinity gradient, the tidal asymmetry, and the backwater effect. The water level slope is increased by the fresh water discharge. However, the interactions between tide and river flow and their individual contributions to the rise of the mean water level along the estuary are not yet completely understood. In this study, we adopt an analytical approach to describe the tidal wave propagation under the influence of fresh water discharge, in which the friction term is approximated by a Chebyshev polynomials approach. The analytical model is used to quantify the contributions made by tide, river, and tide–river interaction to the water level slope along the estuary. Subsequently, the method is applied to the Yangtze estuary under a wide range of river discharge conditions and the influence of tidal amplitude and fresh water discharge on the longitudinal variation of mean water level is explored. The proposed method is particularly useful for accurately predicting water levels and the frequency of extreme high water, relevant for water management and flood control.

scholarly journals Effects of environmental and anthropogenic determinants on changes in groundwater levels in selected peat bogs of Slowinski National Park, northern Poland

Geologos ◽  
2018 ◽  
Vol 24 (1) ◽  
pp. 13-27 ◽  
Author(s):  
Izabela Chlost ◽  
Roman Cieśliński
Keyword(s):  
Water Level ◽  
National Park ◽  
Water Retention ◽  
Retention Rate ◽  
Coniferous Forest ◽  
Water Levels ◽  
Peat Bogs ◽  
Peat Bog ◽  
Potential Threat ◽  
Peat Formation

Abstract The present study focuses on two Baltic-type peat bogs in Slowinski National Park, namely that at Żarnowskie and at Kluki, located in the Lake Łebsko catchment and both characterised by a centrally located dome with a very marshy fringe area featuring an emerging marshy coniferous forest (Vaccinio uliginosi-Pinetum). The Żarnowskie bog is under active protection. A total of 24 flow barriers were installed in drainage ditches during the years 2006 and 2007. The purpose of these barriers was to put a halt to water outflow. In addition, 30 hectares of young pine forest were cleared in order to decrease loss of water via evapotranspiration. Kluki peat bog is only partially protected by Polish law. The lack of efforts to prevent outflow via the canal is due to the fact that the canal is utilised to drain meadows in the vicinity of the village of Łokciowe outside of the national park. Peat formation no longer occurs in this peat bog. The hydrological condition of the bog is catastrophic as a result of its main canal, referred to as Canal C9, which is 2.5 to 3.0 m deep and 10 m wide in places. Both peat bogs are monitored for fluctuations in groundwater. Research has shown that changes in water levels fluctuate based on season of the year and geographical location, which is illustrated quite well using the two studied peat bogs. The water retention rate of the Żarnowskie peat bog may be considered fairly high and is likely to improve due to protective measures enabled by Polish environmental laws. The water retention rate of the bog is consistently improving thanks to these measures, fluctuations in water level are small and the water level does not drop under 0.5 m below ground level even under extreme hydrometeorological conditions. This yields optimum conditions for renewed peat formation in this area. One potential threat is the Krakulice peat extraction facility, which is located in the southern part of the bog close to the boundary with the national park.

scholarly journals Dynamics of fortnightly water level variations along a tide-dominated estuary with negligible river discharge

Ocean Science ◽  
2021 ◽  
Vol 17 (6) ◽  
pp. 1605-1621
Author(s):  
Erwan Garel ◽  
Ping Zhang ◽  
Huayang Cai
Keyword(s):  
Water Level ◽  
River Discharge ◽  
Mean Amplitude ◽  
Water Levels ◽  
Level Increase ◽  
Upstream Direction ◽  
Water Level Variations ◽  
Mean Water Level ◽  
The Mean ◽  
Guadiana Estuary

Abstract. Observations indicate that the fortnightly fluctuations in the mean amplitude of water level increase in the upstream direction along the lower half of a tide-dominated estuary (the Guadiana Estuary), with negligible river discharge, but remain constant upstream. Analytical solutions reproducing the semi-diurnal wave propagation shows that this pattern results from reflection effects at the estuary head. The phase difference between velocity and elevation increases from the mouth to the head (where the wave has a standing nature) as the timing of high and low water levels come progressively closer to slack water. Thus, the tidal (flood–ebb) asymmetry in discharge is reduced in the upstream direction. It becomes negligible along the upper estuary half as the mean sea level remains constant despite increased friction due to wave shoaling. Observations of a flat mean water level along a significant portion of an upper estuary suggest a standing wave character and, thus, indicate significant reflection of the propagating semi-diurnal wave at the head. Details of the analytical model show that changes in the mean depth or length of semi-arid estuaries, in particular for macrotidal locations, affect the fortnightly tide amplitude and, thus, the upstream mass transport and inundation regime. This has significant potential impacts on the estuarine environment in terms of ecosystem management.

Sign in / Sign up

Export Citation Format

Share Document