Project:  Assessment of Restoration Needs and Implementation of Restoration Activities at Warm Springs Complex and Big Spring, Ash Meadows National Wildlife Refuge Client:  United States Fish and Wildlife Service Date:  Project currently underway.  Site Location:   Ash Meadows National Wildlife Refuge is located approximately 70 miles northwest of Las Vegas and approximately 35 miles east of Death Valley National Park.  Ash Meadows harbors numerous plant, fish, and invertebrate species that are found nowhere else in the world.  Native fish and aquatic invertebrate species have adapted to thermal spring conditions and habitat types found at Ash Meadows.  Similarly, numerous plant species have adapted to the unique soil conditions that have developed at Ash Meadows.

Crystal Springs at Ash Meadows National Wildlife Refuge.

Project Summary:
The Warm Springs complex contains the only population of the Warm Springs pupfish (Cyprinodon nevadensis pectoralis).  The springs within the Warm Springs complex are small in comparison to other springs within the Refuge.  However, numerous species can be found at the site such as the thermal endemic Warm Springs naucorid (Ambrysus relictus) and Ash Meadows riffle beetle (Stenelmis calida).  Numerous threatened and endangered plant species, such as the Ash Meadows Ivesia (Ivesia eremica) (Enceliopsis nudicaulis var. corrugata), can also be found at the Warm Springs complex.  Diversion of the spring sources and impoundment of flows behind berms has resulted in hydrologic alterations that reduce habitat quality and quantity for native species and often create conditions suitable for the establishment of invasive species.  Big Spring contains the Ash Meadow pupfish Cyprinidon nevadensis mionectes) and Ash Meadows speckled dace (Rhinichthys osculus navadensis).  Spring channel alteration and invasive species introduction (primarily bass) endanger the continued existence of these two species that only occur at Ash Meadows.

In conjunction with Refuge staff and other agency stakeholders, Otis Bay will assess the restoration needs at the Warm Springs complex and Big Spring.  Restoration activities at the Warm Springs complex and Big Spring area will be coordinated with Refuge staff and additional agency stakeholders.  Restoration activities will start with the highest priority restoration tasks.  Otis Bay, working with Refuge crews, other federal construction crews (e.g., US Bureau of Reclamation) and outside contractors, will complete prioritized restoration tasks.

The first step of prioritization is to identify native and invasive species present at each spring in order to determine 1) where native species recovery is most important, 2) where the disturbance of native species due to restoration actions must be prevented, 3) and identify the presence of invasive species for the purpose of preventing the spread of invasive species due to restoration actions.

Project Update:
Otis Bay and project stakeholders are presently assessing the approach to restoration and prioritizing restoration actions at the Warm Springs complex and Big Spring.

View the Warm Springs Complex and Big Spring Photo Gallery