Evaluation of hydrogeologic flow systems at the Dos Palmas preserve and vicinity using environmental isotopes, Salton Sea, California

At the Dos Palmas Preserve located near the Salton Sea, California, stable isotopes of oxygen, hydrogen, sulfur and carbon were used to determine the source of water for various springs and seeps. Folger's Spring, Folger's Spring Well, San Andreas Spring, and Cox Oasis received nearly 100 percent of their water contribution from the Coachella Branch Canal (CBC). The Dos Palmas Ranch House Well was determined to have a native groundwater source and Salt Creek was determined to have mixed native and CBC water contributions. In addition to stable isotopes, radioisotopes of carbon and hydrogen were used to calculate the approximate travel times from the CBC recharge basins to Folger's Spring, Cox Oasis and San Andreas Spring. Based on radioisotope data, the travel times are as follows: 0 to 2 years for Folger's Spring, 25 to 30 years for Cox Oasis, and 30 to 35 years for the San Andreas Spring