The goal of this Innovation Working Group was to discuss existing and develop new hypotheses of springflow processes in order to better understand how springflow processes will respond to the effects of climate change. The expectations of this Innovation Working Group were to use the discussions to draft a synthesis article on springflow processes in different climatological, geological, and geographical settings and facilitate proposal development.

The IWG was focused on answering a set of three guiding questions:

1. How do we define springflow resilience or resistance? Can residence times be used as descriptors of springflow resilience/resistance?
2. How do we define springflow resilience or resistance? In extension, can other data be used as descriptors of springflow resilience/resistance?
3. How do we provide better estimates of spring contributing areas and sources of water for springflow generation? Are modeling approaches more effective since they can provide better estimates of the three-dimensional extent of these contributing areas? Which field observations and approaches are the most useful predictors of spring contributing area?

VCNP Science & Education Center
Jemez Springs, NM
October 1-3, 2012

Activity Lead: Marty D. Frisbee
New Mexico Tech