To support coordinated cooperative research, technical assistance, education and training, and usable knowledge development to inform science-based management of the national park system

Northern Arizona University (NAU) received a $141,183.77 cooperative agreement from the National Park Service (NPS) under the Cooperative Research and Training Programs – Resources of the National Park System (CFDA 15.945) to support groundwater research at Grand Canyon National Park. The award, effective August 1, 2025 through December 31, 2026, funds the hiring of a post-doctoral researcher to develop an integrated groundwater flow model that synthesizes digital elevation maps, temporal satellite and aerial imagery, the park's existing hydrology database, and stream cave datasets. This multi-disciplinary modeling effort will enable Grand Canyon National Park to identify, characterize, and monitor springs with unprecedented spatial and temporal resolution, improving understanding of factors influencing the park's water systems.

Beyond research deliverables, the funded activities include scientific dissemination and operational support services. The post-doctoral researcher will produce one peer-reviewed publication, present findings at two national conferences, and create advanced visual communications demonstrating interactions between snowmelt, geology, vegetation, and springs over time. The researcher will also provide technical training to NPS staff in specialized climbing techniques and field methodologies related to spring and water monitoring activities. These integrated research, training, and knowledge transfer products directly support the Cooperative Research and Training Programs' mandate to facilitate multi-disciplinary science and usable knowledge development for science-based management of National Park System resources.

To facilitate multi-disciplinary science and integrated information products related to the resources of the national park system. To maintain a comprehensive network cooperative study units as will provide full geographic and topical coverage for research, technical assistance, and educational activities related to the resources contained in units of the national park system and their larger regions.northern arizona university (NAU) would hire a post-doctoral researcher to help grand canyon national park better understand groundwater flow patterns and how they may change over time. This researcher will create a model that uses various types of data about the parks surface to better characterize these groundwater systems. The project builds on earlier studies that characterized stream caves within rock formations that host groundwater throughout grand canyon. NAU plans to combine detailed digital elevation maps with a set of images of the surface taken over time from satellites and airplanes, with the parks existing hydrology database, and with these datasets collected in stream caves. This combination of multiple temporal and spatial datasets will help the park identify and study springs more effectively and understand the important factors influencing the park s water systems at a level of detail that hasn t been possible before. The researcher will present findings in an engaging way, using advanced image technology to show how snowmelt, rocks, plants, and springs interact over time. Additionally, the researcher will train park staff in specific climbing techniques and help with fieldwork related to spring and water monitoring. Throughout the year, the researcher will complete one paper for publication and will present their work at two national conferences.beneficiaries include state and local governments, federally recognized indian tribal governments, public private nonprofit organizations, nonprofit institutions of higher education, and individuals (including members of the general public).