IDENTIFYING AND EXPLORING CAVES IN THE TETON RANGE THAT CONTRIBUTE TO KARSTIC AQUIFERS AND GROUNDWATER RESOURCES

The Bridger-Teton National Forest (BTNF) is 3.4 million acres of public land with active glaciers, unique flora and fauna, networks of caves, and impressive mountain ranges, like the Teton and Wind River Ranges. A team of cavers from the BTNF identified a variety of caves in the Teton Range containing significant hydrologic resources. The water in these caves drains into the karst below them, helping to recharge groundwater stores. These karst aquifers are defined by having a limestone makeup that is soluble and easily eroded. Due to the nature of this karst landscape being surrounded by more insoluble types of rock, the extent of the aquifer is not known.

Exploring the connection caves have to groundwater resources helps in the understanding of the karstic aquifers. Collecting data such as the presence of water and the extent of water, creating cave survey maps, and documenting cave morphology characteristics is valuable in achieving this goal.

Investigating these caves will determine if more caves should be designated as hydrologically significant under the Federal Cave Resources Protection Act of 1988. It will also determine if these water systems should be quantified through taking flow measurements and dye-tracing, and if incorporating studies of spring and surface water resources in the watershed is needed. As groundwater is a crucial resource for the base-flow of rivers, for municipal uses, and for maintaining healthy ecosystems, the management of karst aquifers is important for broadly managing water resources in the BTNF.