Verde River Watershed Research 

Graduate Student

Department of Geology

Northern Arizona University

P.O. Box 4099

Flagstaff, AZ 86001

(928) 523-4561

spf2@dana.ucc.nau.edu

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 Verde Valley, Arizona

Hydrogeological Characterization of Springs in the Middle Verde River Watershed 

Central Arizona

   I recently completed a master's degree at NAU working with Dr. Abe Springer on an inventory, classification and monitoring study of springs in the Verde River Watershed.  The first phase of the project was done in the summer of 2002 and involved visiting and characterizing 160 springs in the Middle Verde River Watershed.  The data gathered from these springs were combined with existing information on springs in the watershed to develop an inventory of springs in the region.  An Access database with all of the spring information was built as a database available through the NAU Verde Watershed Research and Education Program.  

   During the first phase of the project, springs were located and visited using USGS topographic maps and information from an existing USGS and USFS databases.  Much of the existing information on the springs in the watershed was gather several decades ago and current information about these springs was needed.  Each spring was located with a survey grade GPS unit with an accuracy of less than one meter and photographed.  At each spring, measurements of discharge (gpm) and basic water quality (temperature, pH, specific conductance) were taken.  Also descriptions of the geologic unit, geomorphology, vegetation/biology, and development of the springs were considered.  The GPS locations were used to built a GIS map of the springs in the Verde River Watershed and measurements and descriptions were input into an Access database.  The GIS map and data and information on discharges and descriptions of these springs (see more maps and spring data) as well as photographs (see more watershed photos / see more field and springs photos) can be found below.

   The second phase of this project involved monitoring a suite of 16 springs in the watershed that discharge from various geologic/Hydrostratigraphic units to determine relationships between fluctuations in discharge and the geologic unit.  Discharge measurements using a portable box flume, V-notch weir, and flow meter were taken monthly at each spring from November 2002 through October 2003.  Greater discharge fluctuations in response to snowmelt occurred at springs located in perched, karst, or fractured aquifers in higher elevations near the recharge areas.  Springs discharging from Regional aquifers show little response to recharge.  Any changes in basic water quality, geomorphology, and vegetation was also noted each month.  Stable Isotope analysis samples were taken in December of 2002, May of 2003, and October of 2003 to determine seasonal differences in ¹⁸O and ²H.  Sample for 11 of the 16 springs were taken for complete water chemistry analysis in October 2003.  The list and map of springs as well as other data on the phase two set of springs can be found below (see more maps and spring data).   Links to view the thesis abstract, complete thesis (pdf file), and Access database are located below. 

Maps and Spring Data	Verde River Watershed	Field Work in the Verde Valley
Map of springs inventory in the Verde River Watershed	Verde Rim Overlooking the Verde River south of Camp Verde, AZ	Steve doing field work at Summers Spring (Sycamore Creek)
see more maps and spring data	see more watershed photos	see more field and springs photos

THESIS ABSTRACT (html)

COMPLETE THESIS (pdf file, 9.5 MB)

ACCESS DATABASE OF SPRINGS (Access file, 2.7 MB)

VIEW DATABASE OF 160 SPRINGS (PHASE I) (snapshot viewer)

Funding and Assistance for this Project Provided by:

Salt River Project

U.S. Forest Service

U of A - Water Resources Research Center

NAU - Verde Watershed Research and Education Program

NAU - Merriam Powell Center for Environmental Research

U.S. Geological Survey

Geological Society of America

Education

B.S. in Geology - James Madison University, Harrisonburg, VA - May 2001

M.S. in Geology - Northern Arizona University, Flagstaff, AZ - May 2004

Publications/Presentations

Springer, A.E., L.E. Stevens, D.E. Anderson, R.A. Parnell, D.K. Kramer, and S.P. Flora. 2004. A Comprehensive Springs Classification System: Intergrating Geomorphic, Hydrogeochemical, and Ecological Criteria, In Press.

Flora, Stephen P. and Springer, Abraham E. 2003. Implications for Regional Hydrogeology of an Arizona Rural Watershed based on Spring Discharge Variability and Recharge Response: Geological Society of America Abstracts with Programs, vol. 35, no. 6.

Flora, Stephen P. and Springer, Abe. 2003. Variability of Discharge for Select Springs in the Verde River Watershed, Central Arizona: Implications for Regional Hydrogeology, 16th Annual Symposium of the Arizona Hydrological Society, September 17-20, 2003, Mesa, AZ.

Flora, Stephen P. and Springer, Abraham E. 2003. Hydrogeological Characterization of Springs in the Middle Verde Watershed, Central Arizona. Verde River Almanac, Diane Smith Joens, p. 32-34.

Flora, Stephen P. and Springer A.E. 2002. Hydrogeological Characterization of Springs in the Verde River Watershed, Central Arizona: Geological Society of America Abstracts with Programs, vol. 34, no. 6, p. 25.  View Abstract

Flora, S. and A. Springer, 2002. Hydrogeological characterization of springs in the Verde River Watershed, 15th Annual Symposium of the Arizona Hydrological Society, September 18-21, 2002, Flagstaff, AZ.

Springer, A.E., L.E. Stevens, D.E. Anderson, R.A. Parnell, D.K. Kreamer, and S.P. Flora, 2002. Springs classification, hydrology, geomorphology, geochemistry, and distribution. Joint annual meetings of the Ecological Society of America and Society for Ecological Restoration, August 4-9, Tucson, AZ. p. 49.

Flora, Stephen P. and Sherwood, W.C. 2001. Study of the Lithology and Source of the Stone Wall along Sunken Road at Fredericksburg, Virginia: Virginia Journal of Science, vol. 52, no. 2, p. 110, Summer 2001.   

Related Links to the Verde River Watershed

Verde River Watershed Information and Data

NAU Verde Watershed Research and Education Program 

University of Arizona - Verde River Basin Links

Geology the Verde Valley Region - Dr. Ron Blakey (NAU)

Created on November 15, 2002 by: Stephen P. Flora

Last updated - 02/10/2005