4 Everyday Geoscience

This session will focus on elevating the importance of geoscience through geoscience education (e.g., curricula development, leading fieldwork experiences, etc.) and/or convergence research (e.g., using community-focused research frameworks/methods, community-engaged research, etc.).

Monday, 18 May 2026
9:00 AM - 11:00 AM
Alvarado B

WATER AFTER WILDFIRES – THE AFTERMATH OF THE 2022 HERMITS PEAK/CALF CANYON FIRE

Paper number: 4-5
Program: Technical Sessions
Time: 10:25 AM – 10:45 AM

Authors

Abstract

Wildfires can have short- and long-term impacts on the health of a watershed. The loss of vegetation, abundance of charred materials, and destabilization of hillsides can increase stream sedimentation and impact water quality. The 2022 Hermits Peak/Calf Canyon (HP/CC) Fire, the largest wildfire in New Mexico’s history (>340,000 acres), impacted the Gallinas Watershed – the source water for the City of Las Vegas’s drinking water supply, as well as a designated water resource for high quality coldwater aquatic life, irrigation, livestock watering, and wildlife habitat (NMAC 20.6.4.215). Approximately 115,542 acres burned in the Gallinas River headwaters with 21% classified as high burn severity. This study assessed the HP/CC's bearing on water quality using data from USGS real time surface water gaging station 08380500 (Gallinas Creek at Montezuma). Amounts and trends in daily average values for temperature, specific conductance, dissolved oxygen, pH, and turbidity were assessed relative to discharge from September 01, 2022-August 31, 2025, to understand its impact on potable supplies and ecosystem services. Water temperature reached a high of 26.8°C intermittently during summer months, though daily average temperature values exceeded 20°C only 11 of 722  days of record (< 2%). Specific conductance had a high of 309 µS/cm @ 25°C, low of 73 and an average of 221.64. Daily average values exceeded the 300 µS/cm threshold only 3 out of the 598 days of record (<1.0 %). Dissolved oxygen ranged between 6.5-12.0 mg/L and remained above the 6.0 mg/L threshold. Values of pH fluctuated between 7.4-9.0 and remained above the 6.6 pH threshold. Turbidity values ranged from negligible to >3500 NTU. More than 25% of the 712 days of record exceeded 20 NTU, the City of Las Vegas’ current water treatment plant limit and more than 50% exceeded the high quality coldwater tolerance of 10 NTU (NMAC 20.6.4.900). Turbidity in the City of Las Vegas water system has been a significant water quality issue, leading to mandatory boil water advisories and water supply challenges. Monitoring water quality remains imperative to manage fire sedimentation, protect water supplies, and inform adaptation strategies. We emphasize how community and university engagement in water resources challenges builds skills, develops relationships, and supports outcomes.

Geological Society of America Abstracts with Programs. Vol. 58, No. 4

doi: 10.1130/abs/2026RM-410722

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