Understanding the source of water for selected springs within Mojave Trails National Monument, California

I recently co-authored a study in the journal Environmental Forensics detailing a water forensics investigation of Bonanza Spring, the largest spring in the southeastern Mojave Desert. The desert ecosystem is highly dependent on these water resources, yet they remain poorly understood. With the help of two colleagues, we performed a series of geotechnical evaluations, including maps of spring flow, groundwater levels, as well as chemistry and isotope experiments on collected samples. While other springs in the area are locally sourced, the Bonanza Spring has a regional source that leads all the way to basin fill aquifer systems. This delicate environmental ecosystem has important implications for any activities or developments that affect the Bonanza Springs.

To read the full Environmental Forensics publication, click here.