Preliminary Assessment of Environmentally-Sound Methods for Treating And/Or Diverting Rainwater Run-Off from Parking Lots and Roads in the Vicinity of Carlsbad Cavern

Excerpt from Preliminary Assessment of Environmentally-Sound Methods for Treating and/or Diverting Rainwater Run-Off From Parking Lots and Roads in the Vicinity of Carlsbad Cavern: Draft Report

Carlsbad Caverns National Park (cave), is located in southeastern New Mexico and is the site of numerous spectacular caves. Recent studies indicate there exists contamination of cave waters related to rainwater run-off from surface activities and facilities located above Carlsbad Cavern (van der Heijde et al, 1997; Brooke, Storm water run-off transports deposited pollutants such as sediment, hydrocarbons, fertilizers, pesticides, and other organic compounds and metals into adjacent stream courses and outfall areas. Due to the rapid capture and infiltration of rainfall indicative of the soils in the Carlsbad Caverns National Park headquarters area as well as most of the reef complex, many of these pollutants washed off of parking areas enter and percolate directly into the subsurface soils, especially where surface slopes are not steep. Through several hydrologic pathways such as fractures and well developed karst, these pollutants have been detected in Carlsbad Cavern. The contamination, linked to surface rainwater run off, is associated with significant visitor automobile use, park operation and maintenance practices, and resident activities.

Currently there exists few storm water quality devices in any of the park's drainage systems. Existing accident mitigation procedures are inadequate for large spills and management policies related to storm water quality are required to reduce the level of pollutant generation.

This study examined the pollutant sources that potentially contribute to the pollution detected in storm water run-off and examined various measures to mitigate the contamination problems specific to the pollution type encountered. Specific measures from diversion of run-off to adjacent watersheds to treatment methods are investigated. The effectiveness of each of these methods are evaluated with respect to: pollutant removal efficiencies; disturbance to impacted areas; associated benefits; and construction, maintenance, and engineering costs. Recommended accident mitigation procedures and management policies related to storm water quality are integrated with engineering measures for a comprehensive storm water management approach.

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