Bonanza Spring
Bonanza Spring | |
---|---|
Bonanza Springs | |
Location | Mojave Desert in San Bernardino County, California |
Coordinates | 34°40′32″N 115°23′53″W / 34.67556°N 115.39806°W |
Elevation | 2,105 feet |
Type | aquifer fed freshwater spring |
Magnitude | fifth or sixth |
Discharge | 10 gallons per minute |
Bonanza Spring is the largest fresh water spring system in the
Description
Bonanza Spring is the largest spring in the Mojave Desert, it is located in the foothills of the Clipper Mountains. The spring is surrounded by vegetation including mesquite, cottonwood trees, and cattails.[3] The shallow water of the pool supports catfish and bluegills.[4]
A now abandoned
The spring waters stretch for a half mile and provide habitat for frogs and toads.[5] The Bonanza Spring wetlands are the largest within a 1,000 square mile area. The spring discharges approximately 10 gallons per minute and is rated as a fifth or sixth magnitude spring.[6]
Environmental issues
Pumping by the development company, Cadiz Water Project Inc. could potentially dry up the springs as the operation extracts approximately 16.3 billion gallons (50,000 acre feet) annually for 50 years.[7][2] The company maintains that the water pumping will not have an effect on the springs, however environmental groups differ with their findings.[5][8][9] Independent peer review of the environmental studies that have suggested a connection of Bonanza Spring with Cadiz pumping, however, have noted potentially serious flaws and inconsistencies in those studies.
Indigenous peoples living in the area along with leadership from the Native American Land Conservancy have reported that nearby springs in the area near
See also
References
- ^ "Bonanza Springs Watchable Wildlife Area". Bureau of Land Management. Retrieved 5 July 2021.
- ^ a b "Water project may endanger Bonanza Springs in Mojave Desert". Route 66 News. Retrieved 5 July 2021.
- ^ Wilson, Scott (3 March 2019). "Could a massive aquifer beneath the Mojave Desert solve California's water problem?". Washington Post. Retrieved 5 July 2021.
- ^ a b Hillinger, Charles (9 August 1966). "Catfish and Bluegills Flourish in the Mojave". Los Angeles Times. Retrieved 5 July 2021.
- ^ a b Clarke, Chris (22 May 2017). "The Unique Mojave Desert Oasis at the Center of the Cadiz Controversy". KCET. Retrieved 5 July 2021.
- ^ "Fact sheet: Hydrology in the eastern Mojave and the Cadiz Groundwater Project" (PDF). Mojave Desert Land Trust. Retrieved 6 July 2021.
- S2CID 104232002. Retrieved 5 July 2021.
- ^ Ceniceros, Randall (26 July 2018). "Protect the desert oasis Bonanza Spring". Highland Community News. Retrieved 5 July 2021.
- ^ James, Ian (14 April 2018). "'It would likely dry up.' Rare desert spring imperiled by company's plan to pump groundwater, researchers say". Desert Sun. Retrieved 6 July 2021.
- ^ Madrigal, Michael (4 June 2018). "Cadiz water project would put Bonanza Spring at risk". Victor Valley Daily Press. Retrieved 5 July 2021.
- ^ "Three Valleys Moving Forward with Study of Bonanza Spring in Eastern Mojave". California Water News Daily. 4 March 2020. Retrieved 5 July 2021.