SEEPAGE INVESTIGATION IDENTIFIES GAINING AND LOSING STREAM REACHES IN GREAT SAND DUNES NATIONAL PARK AND PRESERVE

A seepage investigation to quantify base flows and identify gaining and losing stream reaches for streams in Great Sand Dunes National Park and Preserve (GRSA) was conducted by the National Park Service, Water Resources Division during September 22, 23, and 24, 2004. The investigation was initiated in support of a water right claim filed for GRSA and to provide input data and calibration corroboration for a ground water model under construction for GRSA. Seepage investigation methodology, consisting of discharge measurements made simultaneously at multiple cross sections along a given reach of stream, was used to determine base discharge and identify stream reaches where the stream was “gaining” or “losing” discharge. Seepage investigations were conducted on Deadman Creek, Sand Creek, Big Spring Creek, and Little Spring Creek

The results of this seepage investigation indicated that, for the period of September 22, 23, and 24, 2004, from upstream to downstream within the measured reaches, Deadman Creek was a losing stream, Sand Creek was a losing stream, Big Spring Creek was a gaining stream, and Little Spring Creek neither gained nor lost discharge.