The Nature Conservancy in Oregon
$84,731  Blue Mountains   Coast Range   Columbia Plateau   East Cascades   Klamath Mountains   Northern Basin & Range   Willamette Valley   West Cascades 

Springs are uniquely drought-resilient aquatic habitat and often form the perennial headwaters of Oregon's most charismatic and ecologically-important streams. Springs and spring-supported streams are almost universally more resilient to short-term drought than surface water-dominated habitats. Springs are known to support high rates of endemism (e.g., ramshorn snails) and relict species (e.g., Borax Lake chub), and springs discharging into streams serve as hydrologic and cold-water refugia for a wide range of Oregon Conservation Strategy Species like shortnose suckers, Chinook salmon, and Great Basin redband trout. However, their capacity to serve as drought refugia still varies widely and depends on their hydrogeologic characteristics. Some perennial springs may be 'transient refugia' which will eventually become ephemeral under future drought stress. Other perennial springs are 'stable refugia' which have the ability to persist through long-term climate drying events.

Despite their ecological importance, there have been few studies on the landscape scale to document their refugial capacity. This proposed project will survey 60 springs across Oregon that are important for Oregon Conservation Strategy Species and are representative of ecoregions and geology types. The project will sample springs for radioisotopes and stable isotopes to assess their refugial capacity. Six springs will be surveyed in partnership with Central Oregon Community College students to provide hands-on field education about key Oregon Conservation Strategy issues like climate change and water quantity. The project will provide information to help resource managers across Oregon prioritize conservation and recreation actions based on the drought resilience of springs and the streams that rely on them. Springs and streams with greater refugial capacity are likely better candidates for durable, climate-smart conservation and long-lasting benefits from recreational investment.