262 Advances in Ecohydrogeology (Posters)

Ecohydrogeology is the unifying, synthetic field of study integrating the approaches from the ecological and hydrogeological sciences in the study of groundwater-related ecosystems, habitats, and organisms. We encourage submissions of research that advances the science, stewardship, and policy at the intersection of ecology and hydrogeology.

Wednesday, 22 October 2025
8:00 AM - 5:30 PM
HBGCC, Hall 1

Stable Isotope Database for Efficient National Park Service Operations and its Application at Hovenweep National Monument.

Paper number: 262-5
Program: Technical Sessions
Time: 8:00 AM – 8:00 AM

Authors

Abstract

Oxygen-18 and deuterium are stable water isotopes that allow hydrologists to understand the elevation and seasonality of groundwater recharge. In providing technical assistance for water supply and resource management to parks throughout the nation, hydrologists with the National Park Service’s (NPS’s) Water Resources Division spend countless hours wrangling hydrologic information, including stable isotope data.  

This process is being streamlined through our creation of an internal Stable Isotope Database and associated tools. Hosted by the NPS Water Resources Division and available to the entirety of NPS, this online hub offers a geospatial map application in ArcGIS Experience Builder and enables quick isotopic analysis in Power BI and real-time data collection through the Field Maps application. The map application provides the water type (groundwater, surface water, and precipitation) of each collection site, enabling a rapid understanding of the amount and type of data available for various NPS water resources.  

A preliminary version of this product was used to analyze the origin of recharge for four springs within Hovenweep National Monument (Utah, USA). These springs are culturally significant and support ecological resources at the park. Pulling relevant records from the Stable Isotope Database resulted in data from 297 precipitation samples within 75 miles of the park and 13 groundwater samples and 71 surface water samples within 30 miles of the park. Creating a local meteoric water line (LMWL), plotting the springs’ data, analyzing the seasonality of precipitation, and comparing the isotopic signatures of surface water and groundwater indicated these springs are sustained by a higher contribution of winter precipitation than summer precipitation with influences from surface water. This determination resulted in a recommendation to park resource managers to preserve the natural potholes and depressions across the park that promote infiltration of surface water and groundwater recharge.  

Utilizing this database increases the efficiency of park-specific data wrangling and enables faster responses on park water supply- and water resource-related issues from NPS hydrologists. Future expansion of this database includes adding high-resolution (1 km2) modeled data on isotopic composition of precipitation for the continental United States.

Geological Society of America Abstracts with Programs. Vol. 57, No. 6

doi: 10.1130/abs/2025AM-413721

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