Training to Monitor Springs in the Black Rock NCA

Interested in becoming a spring monitor in the Black Rock National Conservation Area? This video will go through the necessary steps and data needed to complete a Level I Spring Survey.

Spring Monitoring: Using the SPOT Meter

The SPOT Meter is used nightly to check in and let us know everything is okay. The device also has two additional buttons that will let users submit a request for assistance from the organizations, and another that connects directly with emergency dispatch, and sends GPS coordinates in both cases.

Spring Monitoring: Using the Electroconductivity Meter

This short video goes through the steps necessary to collect an electroconductivity and temperature reading from a spring using the EC Meter included in monitoring kits.

Spring Speak: Helocrene, Limnocrene, and Rheocrene

Pinto Hot Springs in the Black Rock National Conservation Area (photo by Dan Montero)

Helocrene: a spring originating from a marsh or bog

Limnocrene: a spring originating from a large, deep pool of water

Rheocrene: a spring that flows from a defined opening into a confined channel

Monitoring Results

Wilderness warriors Dorothy and Mike headed out to the Black Rock NCA and gathered data on five different springs in the area! Here are a few of their pictures:



Unnamed Calico Mountains Spring 1: Evidence of cattle and horse use as well as a
functioning springbox and pipes (photo by Mike Thorson)



 Unnamed Calico Mountains Spring 2: Evidence of spring dredging as well as
horse and cattle use (photo by Dorothy Hudig)

Unnamed Petersen Mountain Spring 1: Located on the valley floor at an elevation
of 1700' with surface water present (Mike Thorson)

Unnamed Petersen Mountain Spring 2: Evidence of human use and pipe
system (Mike Thorson)