Lava Beds National Monument (LABE)
No permanent surface freshwater resources exist within the boundaries of Lava Beds; however, a few intermittent-ephemeral ponds occur. Aquatic resources in Lava Beds occur primarily as ice and water in permanent ice caves and seasonal wet caves, and groundwater. Stressors of these resources include reduced precipitation associated with increased air temperatures and evaporation, and decreased relative humidity in caves. These changes could subsequently decrease the amount of ice in caves and the availability of water for Lava Beds biota. Since water is a precious commodity in Lava Beds, any change in water availability due either to stress of natural or anthropogenic origin could be quite detrimental to Lava Beds ecosystems. Stressors of anthropogenic origin include impacts due to climate change, geothermal exploration, agricultural land use (esp., irrigation and use of chemicals), and timber harvest just outside of the Lava Beds boundary. The priority vital signs for Lava Beds aquatic resources are: (1) climate change (e.g., temperature and precipitation regimes); (2) groundwater; (3) agricultural chemicals in cave ice and water; and (4) extent of impact on water quality of activities associated with park unit development, visitor use, and water runoff from roads. A detailed summary of Lava Beds aquatic resource vital signs, potential stress indicators, and associated monitoring options is presented in Table 16A-D.
Oregon Caves National Monument (ORCA)
The aquatic resources of Oregon Caves consist of an in-cave stream and springs, and surface streams. Stressors to in-cave resources include: (1) impacts due to climate change; (2) human actions that modify the cave environment, especially modification of cave openings; (3) visitor use impairments due to the introduction of inorganic and organic contaminants; (4) manipulation of the cave environment through the introduction of artificial light; (5) subsequent increase in algal growth in the cave and the introduction of contaminants (e.g., bleach) during cave algae control efforts; and (6) decrease in the amount and availability of in-cave water due to withdrawal of water from surface streams for fire suppression. Surface streams are susceptible to the effects of climate change, catastrophic fire, and debris flows. Cave Creek, a primary stream flowing through Oregon Caves, is also particularly susceptible to contamination by drain field leaching. The presence of grazing cattle near Oregon Caves’ streams may also contribute to the potential contamination of the Oregon Caves water supply. The priority vital signs of Oregon Caves’ aquatic resources are: (1) drain field contamination of Cave Creek; (2) cave environment relative to the modified cave opening; (3) visitor usage; and (4) cave environment relative to introduction of artificial light. A detailed summary of Oregon Caves’ aquatic resource vital signs, potential stress indicators, and associated monitoring options is presented in Table 17A-B.
Redwood National and State Parks (RNSP)
Freshwater and marine aquatic resources are present in Redwoods. Freshwater resources include impaired streams (i.e., Redwood Creek and Klamath River), numerous unimpaired streams (e.g., Godwood Creek, Hayes Creek, Little Lost Man Creek, Mill Creek, Upper Prairie Creek, and Smith River), and small ponds and wetlands. Marine resources include the intertidal and offshore coastal zones, the estuaries of Redwood Creek and Klamath River, several lagoons (i.e., Espa, Lagoon Creek, and Freshwater), and coastal ponds at Enderts Beach.
