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Lidar Estimation of Storage Capacity for Managed Water Resources Used by Desert Bighorn Sheep (Ovis canadensis mexicana) at Cabeza Prieta National Wildlife Refuge, Arizona

Open-File Report 2024-1046
Prepared in cooperation with U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service
By: , , , , , and 
https://doi.org/10.3133/ofr20241046

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Abstract

In cooperation with the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service, the U.S. Geological Survey Southwest Biological Science Center employed ground-based light detection and ranging (lidar) during February 2022 to help meet two resource management objectives at the Cabeza Prieta National Wildlife Refuge (CPNWR), Arizona. The two objectives are (1) characterize the water storage capacity for one developed and two modified tanks, which are bedrock catchments also referred to as tinajas, that are important water sources for desert bighorn sheep (Ovis canadensis mexicana) in designated wilderness at the CPNWR; and (2) develop a stage-storage model to estimate water volumes from monitoring observations of water surface levels in each tank. We measured storage capacity for the three tanks identified by refuge managers, Buckhorn, Senita, and Eagle, using ground-based lidar collected during February 2022. These data produced high-resolution (centimeter scale) topographic models that improved estimates of maximum water storage capacity over previous geometry-based estimates, permitting estimations of storage capacity at multiple water surface levels (stage heights). We found that the maximum water storage capacity for the Buckhorn, Senita, and Eagle tanks was 9,108.730, 8,623.308, and 6,039.603 US gallons (gal), respectively. For each tank we report a stage-storage model based on a polynomial function that best explained variability in water storage capacity as a function of water stage height. The results presented herein will permit the CPNWR managers to (1) easily estimate water available for wildlife at any point of time, (2) interpret tank recharge following rainstorms, and (3) decide whether and when to transport water via vehicles to mechanically refill the tanks in designated wilderness.

Suggested Citation

Sankey, J.B., Caster, J., Bransky, N., Fuest, S., Sesnie, S., and Bedford, A., 2024, Lidar estimation of storage capacity for managed water resources used by desert bighorn sheep (Ovis canadensis mexicana) at Cabeza Prieta National Wildlife Refuge, Arizona: U.S. Geological Survey Open-File Report 2024–1046, 51 p., https://doi.org/10.3133/ofr20241046.

ISSN: 2331-1258 (online)

Study Area

Table of Contents

  • Acknowledgments
  • Abstract
  • Introduction
  • Objectives
  • Study Area
  • Materials and Methods
  • Results
  • Discussion
  • Conclusion
  • References Cited
  • Appendixes
Publication type Report
Publication Subtype USGS Numbered Series
Title Lidar estimation of storage capacity for managed water resources used by Desert Bighorn Sheep (Ovis canadensis mexicana) at Cabeza Prieta National Wildlife Refuge, Arizona
Series title Open-File Report
Series number 2024-1046
DOI 10.3133/ofr20241046
Year Published 2024
Language English
Publisher U.S. Geological Survey
Publisher location Reston, VA
Contributing office(s) Southwest Biological Science Center
Description Report: viii, 51 p.; Data Release
Country United States
State Arizona
Other Geospatial Cabeza Prieta National Wildlife Refuge
Online Only (Y/N) Y
Google Analytic Metrics Metrics page
Additional publication details