IMPACT OF PROPOSED SOLAR ENERGY FACILITIES ON SHALLOW AQUIFER ENDANGERED SPECIES' HABITATS IN DEATH VALLEY NATIONAL PARK AND ITS ENVIRONS

The Amargosa River has its headwaters in Nevada and flows, southward, into California at the eastern margin of Death Valley. It is unique, in that it is a perennially flowing river that is not significantly replenished by rainfall, rather it is fed by springs that are fed by groundwater present in the region. Endangered species, such as the desert pupfish [and other endangered flora/fauna species in the region], as well as local residents who utilize groundwater for agricultural production and potable water, rely upon these limited groundwater resources.

Given the Death Valley area, in general, receives little rainfall, but receives a great deal of solar heating over the year, it is a prime location for solar and other, solar dependent industries. However, these industries, as well as the residential areas that would be expected to develop as a result of employment in such industries, will require potable water. Hence, a potential water management conflict will likely arise between the native flora/fauna in the Death Valley region, year round residents who rely upon groundwater for their potable/agricultural water and the incoming solar power related industry facilities/employees.

In this investigation, 25 samples of spring and Amargosa River water were analyzed for O/H, Sr, and U isotopic compositions in order to better discern the interrelationships between the groundwater resources, the Amargosa River, and the the springs that depend upon these groundwater resources. Samples were collected from the vicinity of the Amargosa River headwaters in Nevada south to the vicinity of Tecopa, CA. The results indicate that:

• Both the strontium and uranium isotopic/concentration data indicate mixing among spring and river waters, potentially, over the extent of the sampling region;
• There is no indication that drainage from Yucca Mountain has impacted groundwater in the Amargosa River Basin in the area where springs and the Amargosa River were sampled;
• Shallow groundwater aquifers that feed the springs also feed the Amargosa River; hence,
• Given the evidence for groundwater aquifer continuity, the extraction of groundwater by solar power facility operations will likely have a detrimental impact on both the native ecosystems as well as agricultural and potable groundwater resources required by the residents in the Death Valey area.