Desert Springs

At Ash Meadows, the desert springs to life. Water, more than any other natural resource, is the defining feature of Ash Meadows NWR. Fed by at least fifty seeps and springs, Ash Meadows is the largest oasis in the Mojave Desert. These seeps and springs discharge approximately 11,000 gallons of geothermally warmed fossil water per minute year-round Fossil water has been contained in ancient aquifers for thousands of years. Cracks in north-south fault lines guide groundwater to Ash Meadows from nearby closed basins. 

Wildlife

Ash Meadows provides a habitat for at least 26 endemic species and includes over 24,000 acres of land. The endemic species that can be found on the refuge include plants, insects, snails, and fish. For a full list of endemic plants and non-plants, see here.

DEVILS HOLE

Three species of pupfish are among the endemic species at the refuge, most notably the Devils Hole Pupfish. The Devils Hole Pupfish are the only wild population of their species. Pupfish were named for their playful swimming, and you may see some here if you remember to bring your binoculars. Access to Devils Hole is restricted, and the pool can only be seen from a viewing platform. Devils Hole and Devils Hole Pupfish are located within Ash Meadow NWR boundaries, but this area is a detached unit of Death Valley National Park.

Devils Hole is an isolated, water-filled cavern. It has a recorded depth of 436 feet (136 meters). Its true depth is unknown, and its complete size has never been mapped. Seismic activity and earthquakes from all over the world create movement in the cavern’s water, and earthquake-induced “seismic seiches” cause the water to roil. The water’s response to this activity indicates cavernous depths.

The water in Devils Hole remains at a constant 92° with steady salinity levels. The habitat’s stable conditions have been crucial to the pupfish survival and protection efforts. The Devils Hole Pupfish was among the first species designated as endangered. Their protection is one of the primary conservation efforts undertaken by the refuge and Death Valley National Park.

The Devils Hole Pupfish have been isolated for 10,000 to 20,000 years, significantly longer than other pupfish in the area. Historically, the population has fluctuated between 100-200, but the population began to significantly decline in the 1990s. Wildlife biologists recorded an all-time low of 35 fish in 2013, which led to increased protection efforts.

As part of the US Fish and Wildlife Service’s (USFWS) species recovery plan, the Ash Meadows Fish Conservation Facility (AMFCF) was created. Established in conjunction with the Great Basin Institute, this facility includes both an artificial replica of the ecosystem at Devils Hole and a fish hatchery. The goal of the project is to gain a better understanding of how to help the Devils Hole Pupfish. This research informs protection initiatives and supports conservation efforts.

These efforts and others have supported population recovery. In April 2022, wildlife biologists recorded the highest population count since 2000; 175 fish. This improvement reflects the slow growth seen over the past nine years and suggests a hopeful future.

Ash Meadows Endemic Species