The document summarizes a project that identified and mapped karst features within a 64,000 acre forest area to help land management efforts. Key methods included using LiDAR data to identify prospective karst features, field surveys using GPS and tablets to record observations, and GIS software to analyze the data and create maps delineating features and buffer zones. The project located various karst types and a 9,000 foot long cave system to help inform forest planning efforts around protecting water resources and sensitive landscapes.

1. Kyle Rowinski and Joseph
Sadorski
Project Mentors: Polly Haessig & Carl
Beyerhelm

2. • Established in 1997, provides seasonal opportunities for geoscientists on NPS, BLM,
and USFS Land.
• Participants are considered interns through the GSA, and volunteers of the hiring
agency.
• Highly competitive. Can be students, recent grads, or professionals
• Project terms extend approximately 3 months. Two terms: Spring/Summer and
Fall/Winter.
• http://rock.geosociety.org/g_corps/index.htm.
• Project information:
GSA • Cragin Project • Karst • Methods • Results • Future Work •
Acknowledgments

3. • Project Area: 64,000 Acres.
• Includes archeology, biology, forestry, geology, and fire fighters.
• Purpose:
• Protect water quality of C.C. Cragin Reservoir and related watersheds (Payson, AZ water).
• Promote healthy forest ecosystem, reduce wildfire potential.
• Protect karst features from adverse consequences of logging and fuels reduction.
The Project Area:
GSA • Cragin Project • Karst • Methods • Results • Future Work •
Acknowledgments

4. • Prominent Biologic and Archeologic features within project area.
• Caves inhabited by natives.
• Bat populations.
• Geology:
• Provide protection as necessary to Cave and Karst features and the pertaining flora and fauna.
• Resource-rich areas: groundwater, minerals, and hydrocarbon deposits.
GSA • Cragin Project • Karst • Methods • Results • Future Work •
Acknowledgments

5. • Geologic history: Eolian environment transitioned to shallow seas capped with
volcanic rocks.
• Entirety of forest underlain by karst-prone lithology.
• Karst Topography highly prevalent in region.
GSA • Cragin Project • Karst • Methods • Results • Future Work •
Acknowledgments
BRR
S
C.C. Cragin
Reservoir

6. • Solution Karst: A terrain formed by the dissolution of water-soluble minerals within
rock.
• Limestone, Dolomite, Gypsum, Halite underlie 25% of the world.
• Features: Sinkholes, Emerging/Sinking Streams, Caves, etc…
Diagram Sources:
GoodEarthGraphics.com
GSA • Cragin Project • Karst • Methods • Results • Future Work •
Acknowledgments

7. GSA • Cragin Project • Karst • Methods • Results • Future Work •
Acknowledgments
What do karst features look like?
Cave: Any opening into the Earth’s surface that a human can fit into; not a man-made
feature

8. Image Sources: Clemson
University, geosources.de,
wikipedia.com
GSA • Cragin Project • Karst • Methods • Results • Future Work •
Acknowledgments
Mammoth Cave, USA
Sinking
Stream
Chongqing Municipality, China
Sinkhol
Upper Muschelkalk, Wutach Gorge, Germany
Cave/Emerging
Stream

9. • Karst terrain may form in areas underlain by non-soluble rock.
• Are created by a variety of geologic processes.
• Tectonic-Karst (Lava Tubes!), Rheogenic-Karst, Talus-Karst, Glacial-Karst.
GSA • Cragin Project • Karst • Methods • Results • Future Work •
Acknowledgments
Images Source: Halliday (2007), K.
Rowinski
Cave
Littoral Crevice Pseudokarst, ScotlandPiping Pseudokarst,
USA
Cave
Tectonic-karst, Flagstaff,
AZ
Lava
Tube

10. GSA • Cragin Project • Karst • Methods • Results • Future Work •
Acknowledgments

11. • LiDAR data analysis provided the Cave and Karst survey with prospective Karst
features.
• Raster, DEM, and Hillshade analysis via ArcMap to recognize areas of subsidence.
GSA • Cragin Project • Karst • Methods • Results • Future Work •
Acknowledgments

12. GSA • Cragin Project • Karst • Methods • Results • Future Work •
Acknowledgments
Clint’s Well South

13. • Driving and GPS guided hiking.
• At site: Observation, discussion, note taking/sketches, and Samsung tablet use.
• ArcGIS program ArcCollector.
• Geodatabase set up for rapid inventory and analysis.
• Photos of the feature.
• Necessary to sync tablet with ArcGIS Online.
• Data can be downloaded and analyzed.
• Long hours in the field.
• What the tablet and geodatabase looks like…
GSA • Cragin Project • Karst • Methods • Results • Future Work •
Acknowledgments

14. GSA • Cragin Project • Karst • Methods • Results • Future Work •
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15. GSA • Cragin Project • Karst • Methods • Results • Future Work •
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• Variety of Karst types recognized within the C.C. Cragin Project area.

16. GSA • Cragin Project • Karst • Methods • Results • Future Work •
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• 9,000 ft. long solution karst cavern system.

23. GSA • Cragin Project • Karst • Methods • Results • Future Work •
Acknowledgments

24. • Data downloaded from ArcGIS Online,
ArcMap used to re-digitize boundaries,
assign buffer.
• Level of importance assigned to each
feature.
• Stream channels buffered.
• Final maps distributed to Forestry
Planners.
GSA • Cragin Project • Karst • Methods • Results • Future Work •
Acknowledgments

25. GSA • Cragin Project • Karst • Methods • Results • Future Work •
Acknowledgments

26. • Determination of appropriate buffer dimensions in feet.
• Involves analysis of field notes and data collected.
• Possible consultation and analysis with other teams (Archeology, Biology, Forestry).
GSA • Cragin Project • Karst • Methods • Results • Future Work •
Acknowledgments

27. • Data produced is for a relatively small area of Coconino
N.F.
• Future Work:
• There’s a lot that’s out there. Reconnaissance in the major stream
channels.
• Extensive LiDAR coverage.
• In-Depth Geologic research.
• Bitemporal/Multitemporal monitoring of Karst features.
• Cave mapping.
• GeoCorps.
• Widespread implementation of rapid karst assessment system.
GSA • Cragin Project • Karst • Methods • Results • Future Work •
Acknowledgments

28. • Polly Haessig. GSA GeoCorps/USFS Mentor
• Carl Beyerhelm. Resource Information and GIS Specialist
• GSA and the USFS
• Blue Ridge Ranger Station crew
• The Arizona Cave Survey crew
• Mike Van Note, Larry Zimmer, Tom Gilliland, and Bob Goforth
• Those who assisted us in the field:
• Olivia Tempest (Coconino Forestry)
• Kevin Weldon and Frances Alvarado (Prescott Ntl. Forest Geologists)
• Ron Klawitter (SRP) and OC Eke (Kaibab Ntl. Forest Geologist)
• Charlie Ester III (SRP)
• Nicholas Steel (Happy Jack)
GSA • Cragin Project • Karst • Methods • Results • Future Work •
Acknowledgments

29. Thank
you!