Hydrologic analysis of springs in semi-arid northern Arizona on the Colorado Plateau

Zurkee, Sarah Jean (2023) Hydrologic analysis of springs in semi-arid northern Arizona on the Colorado Plateau. Masters thesis, Northern Arizona University.

Text Zurkee_2023_hydrologic_analysis_springs_semi-arid_northern_arizona_on_.pdf - Published Version Download (4MB)

Abstract

The Four Forest Restoration Initiative (4FRI) is a project supported by the Forest Service that involves collaboration among multiple entities to restore approximately 2,400,000 acres of forest ecosystems in northern Arizona. The primary goal of the restoration project is to improve the health and resiliency of the forest ecosystems. Few studies have analyzed the relationship between forest management and groundwater responses to forest management actions. Four springs located on the Colorado Plateau, near northern Arizona, underwent continuous observation and documentation over various spans of time. The natural springs analyzed in this study include Hart Prairie Spring, Clover Spring, Hoxworth Spring, and Big Spring. Analysis of the compiled data from these sites involved variations of qualitative and quantitative methods. The depth of analysis varies from site to site, depending on length of record. Hart Prairie Spring has the longest length of recorded data. Analyses were conducted to determine the hydrologic response pre- and post-forest restoration. Hoxworth Spring and Clover Spring are additional treatment sites with a hydrologic analysis prior to forest restoration treatments. Big Spring is a control site recording continuous hydrologic data, without the influence of forest restoration treatments. The accumulated hydrologic data were collected, analyzed, and used to create annual hydrographs. Climate data, such as weather conditions were analyzed in conjunction with the hydrologic analysis. Understanding the hydrologic effects of the forest restoration efforts will contribute to future water budget predictions and forest management methods. The rapidly growing population, and agricultural and industrial development in the region places added pressure on groundwater supplies and demand. Ecohydrological restoration efforts have increased the number of flowing days for Hart Prairie Springs. This response indicates that groundwater recharge responds positively to restoration actions. Further data collection and analysis are needed to determine and quantify the effectiveness of forest restoration in increasing groundwater recharge, spring discharge and ecological functionality in northern Arizona.

Item Type:	Thesis (Masters)
Publisher’s Statement:	© Copyright is held by the author. Digital access to this material is made possible by the Cline Library, Northern Arizona University. Further transmission, reproduction or presentation of protected items is prohibited except with permission of the author.
Keywords:	Ecohydrogeology; Ecology; Hydrogeology; Hydrology; Restoration; Springs
Subjects:	S Agriculture > SD Forestry
NAU Depositing Author Academic Status:	Student
Department/Unit:	Graduate College > Theses and Dissertations College of the Environment, Forestry, and Natural Sciences > School of Earth Sciences and Environmental Sustainability
Date Deposited:	23 Oct 2025 17:39
Last Modified:	23 Oct 2025 17:39
URI:	https://openknowledge.nau.edu/id/eprint/6239

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