PRELIMINARY RESULTS OF AN INVENTORY AND ASSESSMENT OF SPRING IN BIG BEND RANCH STATE PARK, TEXAS

Big Bend Ranch State Park (BBRSP), located in Brewster and Presidio Counties of far west Texas, is characterized by a dense concentration of natural springs. However, these springs have not been inventoried or analyzed in detail, despite the importance of the springs to riparian habitat and human activities. This two-part study has the purpose to inventory the known springs present in BBRSP and to monitor a subset of these springs. Surveys of each spring include site condition, rock type, water quality, and flora present. This information will be used to build a database of the springs for BBRSP and other national spring databases. Water chemistry and a study of bedrock geology will be used to assess the evolution of the water from recharge to discharge points. In addition, the effects of wildlife and domesticated animals and anthropogenic impacts on the springs and local vegetation are being quantified through comparison of existing chemical data collected from 1996-1998 and the new data. Monitoring protocols designed to describe the attributes of the springs to assist in an overall inventory and classification effort have been developed for this project. These protocols were conceived by adapting existing procedures developed for springs in the desert southwest to the specific characteristics of BBRSP. A basic concept is to combine the geologic aspects of the aquifers feeding the springs with observations of the biology and chemistry of the springs. This new information along with existing data will allow the construction of a comprehensive database of springs for BBRSP and set the foundation for an environmental conservation plan for the springs.