Groundwater is water that is found underground in the pores and fractures of soil and rock. It is an important resource for many national and state parks, as it provides water for plants and animals, as well as for human use such as drinking water, irrigation and recreation.
The National Park Service (NPS) and state park agencies are responsible for protecting and preserving the natural resources within parks, including groundwater. They may have regulations in place to protect the quality and quantity of groundwater within park boundaries. For example, the NPS may have policies in place to protect the groundwater from contamination by pollutants, and may also have regulations in place to limit the amount of water that can be withdrawn from park aquifers.
Groundwater is also important for park ecosystems, it may sustain wetlands, springs and riparian ecosystems, and provide habitat for many aquatic species. The NPS and state park agencies may have management plans in place to protect these ecosystems, and may also conduct monitoring and research to understand the impacts of human activities on groundwater resources.
In some cases, national and state parks may also have groundwater features such as hot springs, which are protected and preserved for their natural and recreational value. Some National Parks may have geothermal features such as hot springs, geysers, and fumaroles that are protected and preserved for their natural and recreational value.
Overall, groundwater is an important resource for national and state parks, and the NPS and state park agencies are responsible for protecting and preserving this resource for future generations.