Groundwater is found throughout the area and varies in depth and quality. The area groundwater basins are recharged from surface and subsurface infiltration. Depletion of groundwater basins and a diminishing of water quality are some of the concerns which have in the past been expressed. Groundwater is the area's principal source for Death Valley springs, seeps, and streams. The maintenance of groundwater quality and quantity is critical to the survival of desert surface waters and their associated plant and animal life.
The major concern was that area water and water related resources will be affected by up-gradient withdrawals and contamination. The area receives much of its water from the lower portion of the Death Valley groundwater flow system’s flow from Nevada. The water at Death Valley Junction is from Nevada which flows towards the Death Valley in general and supplys much of the water to be found in Death Valley as a whole. The Death Valley groundwater flow system is defined in general terms as the area where groundwater flow is toward Death Valley. Some groundwater inflow also occurs from areas in California that are adjacent to the area. The Death Valley groundwater flow system is believed to be fully appropriated. Existing and future appropriations of water resources from the flow system may result in impacts to area water resources, however, such has not actually happened. Additionally, potentially contaminated groundwater plumes from the Nevada Test Site or from cyanide runoff from mining operations could contaminate the regional aquifer that drains into the area.
To date there has been no ground water contamination in the Death Valley Junction area which would make the water unsafe for human or animal consumption.
