Ash Meadows is a unique and beautiful wildlife preserve that has been around for over one hundred years protecting native (endemic) species of life, some of which can only be found in this regional area.  The Wildlife refuge was established to protect the watershed that recharges out from a subterranean aquifer.  Early settlers have previously drained some of these natural springs that consequently, pushed a species of pupfish into extension.   

 Today, the water rights are regulated that allow for many species of pupfish and algae to survive in the preserve and other locations around Death Valley National Park. The pupfish are quite the interesting species, as they are able to survive in water salinity levels that would otherwise kill other fish and can withstand water temps of around 116 degree.   

We went to visit some of the springs in the area as this is where the water recharged out of the ground from the Aquifer and the connection between Devil's Hole and the Aquifer.  

 We went to visit Crystal Spring which looked the deepest and the most interesting with the clear blue water and a good sized boil re surging from the ground but it did not look dive worthy as there appeared to be a bit of a sand boil and the impact that a dive could have on the pupfish is not worth the effort.

 We went to visit Tubbs Spring, which looked a bit like a static pond of water, and a local spring near the area which appeared to have small sand boils.  From what I understand, there are many springs in the area and the water from the aquifer appears to be pushing through this region creating these springs but I wonder if there are dry dormant springs or other systems in the surrounding mountains.