Klamath Network Water Quality Report (Phase II)
Section 5: Network-Wide Scoping, Identification, and Prioritization of Vital Signs for Aquatic Resource Monitoring
C. Park-Level Vital Signs Tables
Crater Lake National Park (CRLA)
Crater Lake aquatic resources occur within and outside of the Mt. Mazama caldera. Crater Lake is the focus of most park visitors, and a long-term monitoring program of lake and inner-caldera streams and springs water quality has been active since June, 1983. Geothermal sites deep in Crater Lake are also identified as an important resource within the caldera. Freshwater resources outside of the caldera include: (1) relatively small and shallow ponds, lakes, and wetlands; (2) Sphagnum Bog Research Natural Area; and (3) numerous streams and springs. Vital Signs for Crater Lake, inner-caldera streams and springs, and lentic systems outside of the caldera, in order of priority, are: (1) climate change (e.g., temperature and precipitation regimes); (2) presence and extent of native/introduced (invasive) aquatic biota; (3) atmospheric deposition of nutrients and pollutants; and (4) visitor use impacts – recreation and motorized boat use on Crater Lake. Vital Signs for perennial streams and springs outside of the caldera, in order of priority, are: (1) presence and extent of native/introduced (invasive) aquatic biota; (2) atmospheric deposition of nutrients and pollutants; and (3) land and non-recreational human use impacts – park operations. Cattle trespass is identified as a potential vital sign of Sphagnum Bog RNA. There is also concern that geothermal exploration near the CRLA boundary could negatively impact geothermal sites within the caldera. A detailed summary of Crater Lake aquatic resource vital signs, potential stress indicators, and associated monitoring options is presented in Table 14A-D.
Lassen Volcanic National Park (LAVO)
Aquatic resources in Lassen can be grouped into two categories: (1) ponds and lakes, wetlands, and streams; and (2) geothermal/hydrothermal features such as hot springs and streams, fumaroles, and mudpots. Ponds and lakes, wetlands, and streams are grouped together because the same stressors impact each resource-type. Vital signs of lentic and lotic resources, in order of priority, are: (1) climate change (e.g., temperature and precipitation regimes); (2) atmospheric deposition of nutrients and pollutants (3) presence and extent of native/introduced (invasive) aquatic biota (esp., non-native trout and charr); and (4) Visitor use impacts – recreational (e.g., hiking, backpacking and camping) and non-recreational (park operations, e.g., parking lot and road maintenance, and various construction projects). Visitor use impacts – recreational is identified as the major vital sign of geothermal/ hydrothermal resources in Lassen. Geothermal/hydrothermal resources have been and continue to be monitored as part of the USGS Volcano Monitoring Program. A detailed summary of Lassen aquatic resource vital signs, potential stress indicators, and associated monitoring options is presented in Table 15AB.
