Water Resources
The San Joaquin River travels the entire length of the Devils Postpile National Monument. The river changes in character many times throughout its journey through the monument, changing along its course from a series of broad low-gradient meanders to scattered pools and fast-flowing rapids, cascades, and falls.
The 101-foot high (31-meter) Rainbow Falls
is one of the most spectacular features in the monument.
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| The Middle Fork of the San Joaquin River in winter. © NPS photo by Deanna Dulen. |
Carbonated mineral springs lie at the southern edge of Soda Springs
meadow. Totally submerged in the June snow-melt, the soda spring
gradually becomes more accessible by July. In August and September
it is normally separated by a few meters from the river and easily
spotted. Iron in the water oxidizes to reddish-brown and clearly
marks the spring’s location. The spring provides a continuous flow
of carbonated water throughout the year.
A water quality monitoring program is needed on the Middle Fork
of the San Joaquin River. Due to high visitation to the monument
and nearby Forest Service campsites (particularly those upstream),
water quality in the river may be affected by litter, human waste,
and increased runoff where vegetation is absent. The extent of the
problem is not known.
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