Park intern collecting spring monitoring data for Italian Spring at over 7,000 feet elevation in the Rincon Mountains
NPS Photo
Springs occur whenever water from underground expresses itself on the surface of the earth. Multiple springs occur throughout the Rincon Mountains. Many, like Italian Spring, flow year-round and are essential water for hikers on the Arizona Trail. Many tinajas are also spring fed. One of the best known springs in the park is Rock Spring, just a few steps upstream from Steel Tank. Scientists studying the origin of water in the park's springs have found that the water has very slowly worked its way down through cracks in the rocks. The cool, clear water in some desert springs may have fallen as rain or snow dozens - or perhaps even thousands - of years ago.
