Spring Rehabilitation Projects

Upon review of Upper and Lower Indian Spring Sites, the conclusion is that native vegetation  and natural soil buildup have almost completely blocked them from running.    The #4 spring at Lower Indian Springs, is at the present the most productive water source.  This spring is also the one that a small excavation and minimal leach rock system was installed in  a joint effort between BLM, USFS, NDOW, and private contributions in 1995‐1996.   It does not have enough open water for a breeding area, and joins the others in this same  category.  The proposal is simple‐  1)  Excavate each spring area and completely liberate it from the choking vegetation and  soils.  2)  Backfill the excavated area with leach rock.  3)  Install on top of the leach rock a drain manifold.  4)  Cover manifold with fine crushed rock (protection).  5)  Spread a liner over entire area.  6)  Cover with native soils.  7)  Watch water run out of pipe!  Excavations:  Applying experiences of other spring rehabilitations in Oasis V alley to this program  demonstrate that each spring site will need cleanings and rock cell construction.    These will vary in size and configuration undoubtedly as the pursuit of water occurs while  excavating.  Historically, these areas vary anywhere from a minimum of 100 upwards to 1,000  cubic yards.  These projects are not for the feint of heart.  Projected Dimensions of Excavations:  Upper Indian Springs :  East to West  Dig will follow line of Rabbit brush toward old trench and trees.    Expected dimensions 15" Width, x 40" Length, x 10' Depth ‐ 222  cubic yards   rock cell.  Lower Indian Springs :  There are four separate springs in this area.  #1 Spring ‐ has the old U.S.G.S. monitoring well in it.  It is 8' deep.  Steve Reiner   of the USGS informed me the study ended in 2002   and it could be removed.  He asked for a final measurement for his records.   This spring is completely sucked dry by the ditch willows inundating it.  They will  be removed for their width of approximately 25'     feet and length of approximately 80' feet.  The willows beyond this point will be   left which are out by the fence.  The dig will probably follow the dimensions of the clearing, once the source   point of the water is discovered.  The depth is      expected in the 8‐10 foot range.  Cubic yard rock cell is expected to be 750 cubic  yards.  #2 Spring ‐  expected dimension is 20' W, x 20' L, x 15' D ‐ 300 cubic yards rock   cell.  #3 Spring ‐  East to West for an approximate 60' L, x 20' W , x 12' D ‐ 530 cubic   yards rock cell.  #4 Spring ‐  has two old trenches about 4' wide running North to South.  One of   which is the old renovation job of 1995.  Both trenches will be connected by   removing the island of dirt between them.  The excavation will continue East   into the rabbit brush zone.  Approximate dimensions are 60' L, x 20' W, 10' D,   550 cubic yards rock cell.  There are five separate spring excavations proposed.  Upon completion , there will be a  minimum of six acres of rehabilitated habitat for the Amargosa Toad.  One unfenced acre at  Upper Indian and five fenced acres at Lower Indian.  We know at a minimum, we will have five appropriate and adequate open water sites  which will support breeding.  Based on previous experiences in Oasis Valley, these open water  sites will be supported by water volumes from 1 gallon a minute upwards to five.  The proposed process will give us a maintainable and manageable water resource.  The  "Constantly Running Hose" concept allows us to "move it around".  The ability to do this will  prevent invasionary species such as crawdads, bull frogs, tamarisks, or mosquito fish, from  getting a foothold.  Another advantage is keeping the native species of reeds, sedges, or ditch  willows from closing out these springs in only a few years.  The rehabilitation process described here will secure and stabilize a valuable and  necessary resource.  This action is consistent with the Amargosa Toad Working Groups, declared  action plan.  This action will diversify the existing environment, not only for the Amargosa Toad,  but also for all other endemic, migratory, and game species in Oasis Valley.  Construction Process:  Excavation will be done with a large track excavator capable of a 22' digging    depth.  A Caterpillar 320CC.  As the trenches are dug, they will be evaluated as    to what elevation the drain should be installed at.  This can affect the length of    the discharge ditch.    Leach Rock transported via Semi‐trucks and End Dumps.  Rock will be stacked on   existing disturbed areas.    Leach rock will be carried via 5 cubic yard rubber tired loaders and dumped into    excavated spring.   Loader will stay on existing roads and will approach dump zone with as much    care possible to minimize degrading the area.  We have successfully before,    filled the entire excavated "trench" by ramping in from one end.  Only 80% of    the hole will be filled with rock.  After manifold installation, which will be built on site out of driscoe or PVC pipe, the  final 20% of space left will be filled with native soils.  The residual soils will be  distributed out into the surrounding environment where appropriate.