Cottonwood Spring Geochemical and Biological Investigation

NCDE worked with the United States Fish and Wildlife Service (USFWS) on understanding the geochemical and biological variability of spring discharge and spring pond habitat for the endangered Pahranagat Roundtail chub. NCDE worked with USFWS and Nevada Department of Wildlife (NDOW) to understand existing conditions, habitat thresholds for Roundtail Chub, regional hydrology, and other important factors to develop a 52-week monitoring plan. During this time, NCDE conducted routine water sampling, collected soil samples, photo monitored the location, monitored continuous geochemistry and hydrological metrics with telemetry and local data loggers from In-Situ and Onset-Hobo, provided oversight for a USFWS field technician, analyzed all hydrogeological and biological data, developed recommendations to improve aquatic habitat, and provided a conceptual design and report outlining improvements for aquatic habitat.