Hydrogeology of desert springs in the Panamint Range, California, USA: Identifying the sources and amount of recharge that support spring flow. Issue 3 (5th December 2019)

• Record Type: Journal Article
• Authors: Gleason, Carolyn L.; Frisbee, Marty D.; Rademacher, Laura K.; Sada, Donald W.; Meyers, Zachary P.
• Is Part Of: Hydrological processes. Volume 34:Issue 3(2020)
• Page Start: 730
• Page End: 748
• Publication Date: 2019-12-05
• Subjects: climate change -- crenobiontic -- Death Valley -- Desert springs -- mountain recharge -- Panamint Range -- snowmelt recharge -- sources of recharge -- spring vulnerability -- stable isotopes; Hydrology -- Periodicals; Hydrology -- Research -- Periodicals; Hydrologic models -- Periodicals; Hydrological forecasting -- Periodicals; 631.432
• DOI: 10.1002/hyp.13621
• Languages: English
• ISSNs: 0885-6087

Abstract

Abstract: Despite its location in the rain shadow of the southern Sierra Nevada, the Panamint Range hosts a complex mountain groundwater system supporting numerous springs which have cultural, historical, and ecological importance. The sources of recharge that support these quintessential desert springs remain poorly quantified since very little hydrogeological research has been completed in the Panamint Range. Here we address the following questions: (i) what is the primary source of recharge that supports springs in the Panamint Range (snowmelt or rainfall), (ii) where is the recharge occurring (mountain‐block, mountain‐front, or mountain‐system) and (iii) how much recharge occurs in the Panamint Range? We answer questions (i) and (ii) using stable isotopes measured in spring waters and precipitation, and question (iii) using a chloride mass‐balance approach which is compared to a derivation of the Maxey–Eakin equation. Our dataset of the stable isotopic composition ( δ 18 O and δ 2 H) of precipitation is short (1.5 years), but analyses on spring water samples indicate that high‐elevation snowmelt is the dominant source of recharge for these springs, accounting for 57 (±9) to 79 (±12) percent of recharge. Recharge from rainfall is small but not insignificant. Mountain‐block recharge is the dominant recharge mechanism. However, two basin springs emerging along the western mountain‐front of the Panamint Range in Panamint Valley appear to be supported by mountain‐front and mountain‐system recharge, while Tule Spring (a basin spring emerging at the terminus of the bajada on the eastern side of the Panamint Range) appears to be supported by mountain‐front recharge. Calculated recharge rates range from 19 mm year −1 (elevations < 1000 mrsl) to 388 mm year −1 (elevations > 1000 mrsl). The average annual recharge is approximately 91 mm year −1 (equivalent to 19.4 percent of total annual precipitation). We infer that the springs in the Panamint Range (and their associated ecosystems) are extremely vulnerable to changes in snow cover associated with climate change. They are heavily dependent on snowmelt recharge from a relatively thin annual snowpack. These findings have important implications for the vulnerability of desert springs worldwide. Abstract : The hydrogeological response of desert springs to climate change is controlled by their source of recharge, recharge rate, aquifer volume and aquifer response time. The Panamint Range is located in the rain shadow of the southern Sierra Nevada and the springs in the Panamint Range are heavily dependent upon snowmelt recharge from a relatively thin snowpack. Due to their dependence on recharge from a relatively thin snowpack and inferred shallow groundwater circulation depths, springs in the Panamint Range are likely more vulnerable to the effects of climate change.