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The Grand Canyon Aquifer and Springs B y H annah Chambles s , H ydrologic Tec hnician , Grand Canyon N at ional Park
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s Grand Canyon National Park (GRCA) upgrades the park’s water supply and delivery infrastructure, it is imperative to better understand GRCA water resources, especially considering climate change and mounting visitation. Currently, Grand Canyon’s water supply comes solely from Roaring Springs in the RedwallMuav (R) aquifer (Fig. 1). However, Roaring Springs is just one of hundreds of springs throughout Grand Canyon. Not only are these springs critical for human water needs, but they are also exceptionally diverse and create oases for plants and wildlife. Fun fact: springs support 44 percent of Grand Canyon plant species on only 0.01 percent of the total landscape (Tobin et al. 2020). If you come across a spring oasis while exploring the canyon, be sure to thank the aquifer for providing that water! Fig. 1. A trail of water cascading out of Roaring Springs. Photo credit: Dave Bunnell.
