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Rocky Mountain Regional Snowpack Chemistry Monitoring Study

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By Colorado Water Science Center November 5, 2021

Snowpacks collect atmospheric deposition throughout the snowfall season and offer a unique opportunity to obtain a composite sample of the chemistry of most of the annual precipitation at high elevations [> 1,800 meters]. The purpose of the snowpack network is to determine annual concentrations and depositional amounts of selected nutrients and other constituents in snow resulting from atmospheric deposition, determine long-term trends in these concentrations, and to support investigations of the effects of atmospheric deposition on local and regional ecological systems. Since 1993, the project has become the most expansive and comprehensive snowpack-chemical monitoring network of its kind.

Review data collected since 1993:

Map of Rocky Mountain region showing select sample snow chemistry sites, SNOTEL sites
Sources/Usage: Public Domain. View Media Details
Map of Rocky Mountain region showing sampled snow chemistry sites, SNOTEL sites.Click to use interactive snowpack chemistry site map.

Monitoring Sites:

Snowpack Chemistry Data Collected:

 

 

 

 

 

Publications associated with this project.

Filter Total Items: 34

Current-use pesticides and organochlorine compounds in precipitation and lake sediment from two high-elevation national parks in the Western United States

Current-use pesticides (CUPs) and banned organochlorine compounds (OCCs) were measured in precipitation (snowpack and rain) and lake sediments from two national parks in the Western United States to determine their occurrence and distribution in high-elevation environments. CUPs frequently detected in snow were endosulfan, dacthal, and chlorothalonil in concentrations ranging from 0.07 to 2.4 ng/L
Authors
M.A. Mast, W.T. Foreman, S.V. Skaates
By
Water Resources Mission Area, Colorado Water Science Center

Rocky Mountain Snowpack Chemistry at Selected Sites, 2004

During spring 2004, the U.S. Geological Survey in cooperation with the National Park Service and the U.S. Department of Agriculture, Forest Service collected and analyzed snowpack samples for 65 sites in the Rocky Mountain region from New Mexico to Montana. Snowpacks were sampled from late February through early April and generally had well-below-average- to near-average snow-water equivalent. Reg
Authors
George P. Ingersoll, M. Alisa Mast, Leora Nanus, Heather H. Handran, David J. Manthorne, Douglas M. Hultstrand
By
Colorado Water Science Center

Rocky Mountain snowpack chemistry at selected sites, 2003

No abstract available.
Authors
George P. Ingersoll, M. Alisa Mast, Leora Nanus, David J. Manthorne, Heather H. Handran, Douglas M. Hulstrand, Jesse Winterringer
By
Colorado Water Science Center

Effects of emission reductions at the Hayden powerplant on precipitation, snowpack, and surface-water chemistry in the Mount Zirkel Wilderness Area, Colorado, 1995-2003

Precipitation, snowpack, and surface-water samples collected during 1995-2003 were analyzed to evaluate the effects of emission reductions at the Hayden powerplant on water chemistry in the Mount Zirkel Wilderness Area. The Hayden powerplant, one of two large coal-fired powerplants in the Yampa Valley, was retrofitted with control systems during late 1998 and 1999 to reduce emissions of sulfur dio
Authors
M. Alisa Mast, Donald H. Campbell, George P. Ingersoll
By
Water Resources Mission Area, Colorado Water Science Center

Rocky Mountain Snowpack Chemistry at Selected Sites, 2002

During spring 2002, the chemical composition of annual snowpacks in the Rocky Mountain region of the Western United States was analyzed. Snow samples were collected at 75 geographically distributed sites extending from New Mexico to Montana. Near the end of the 2002 snowfall season, the snow-water equivalent (SWE) in annual snowpacks sampled generally was below average in most of the region. Regio
Authors
George P. Ingersoll, M. Alisa Mast, Leora Nanus, David J. Manthorne, David W. Clow, Heather M. Handran, Jesse A. Winterringer, Donald H. Campbell
By
Colorado Water Science Center

Atmospheric deposition of nutrients, pesticides, and mercury in Rocky Mountain National Park, Colorado, 2002

Nutrients, current-use pesticides, and mercury were measured in atmospheric deposition during summer in Rocky Mountain National Park in Colorado to improve understanding of the type and magnitude of atmospheric contaminants being deposited in the park. Two deposition sites were established on the east side of the park: one at an elevation of 2,902 meters near Bear Lake for nutrients and pesticides
Authors
M. Alisa Mast, Donald H. Campbell, George P. Ingersoll, William T. Foreman, David P. Krabbenhoft
By
Ecosystems Mission Area, Environmental Health Program, Toxic Substances Hydrology, Colorado Water Science Center, Upper Midwest Water Science Center, Mercury Research Laboratory

Rocky Mountain snowpack chemistry at selected sites for 2001

Because regional-scale atmospheric deposition data in the Rocky Mountains are sparse, a program was designed by the U.S. Geological Survey, in cooperation with the National Park Service, U.S. Department of Agriculture Forest Service, and other agencies, to more thoroughly determine the chemical composition of precipitation and to identify sources of atmospherically deposited contaminants in a netw
Authors
George P. Ingersoll, M. Alisa Mast, David W. Clow, Leora Nanus, Donald H. Campbell, Heather Handran
By
Colorado Water Science Center

Atmospheric deposition maps for the Rocky Mountains

Variability in atmospheric deposition across the Rocky Mountains is influenced by elevation, slope, aspect, and precipitation amount and by regional and local sources of air pollution. To improve estimates of deposition in mountainous regions, maps of average annual atmospheric deposition loadings of nitrate, sulfate, and acidity were developed for the Rocky Mountains by using spatial statistics.
Authors
L. Nanus, K. Campbell, G.P. Ingersoll, D. W. Clow, M.A. Mast

Rocky Mountain snowpack chemistry network: History, methods, and the importance of monitoring mountain ecosystems

Because regional-scale atmospheric deposition data in the Rocky Mountains are sparse, a program was designed by the U.S. Geological Survey to more thoroughly determine the quality of precipitation and to identify sources of atmospherically deposited pollution in a network of high-elevation sites. Depth-integrated samples of seasonal snowpacks at 52 sampling sites, in a network from New Mexico to M
Authors
George P. Ingersoll, John T. Turk, M. Alisa Mast, David W. Clow, Donald H. Campbell, Zelda C. Bailey
By
Colorado Water Science Center

Comparison of snowpack and winter wet-deposition chemistry in the Rocky Mountains, USA: Implications for winter dry deposition

Depth-integrated snowpack chemistry was measured just prior to maximum snowpack depth during the winters of 1992-1999 at 12 sites co-located with National Atmospheric Deposition Program/National Trend Network (NADP/NTN) sites in the central and southern Rocky Mountains, USA. Winter volume-weighted mean wet-deposition concentrations were calculated for the NADP/NTN sites, and the data were compared
Authors
David W. Clow, George P. Ingersoll, M. Alisa Mast, John T. Turk, Donald H. Campbell
By
Water Resources Mission Area, Colorado Water Science Center

Pathways for nitrate release from an alpine watershed: Determination using δ15N and δ18O

Snowpack, snowmelt, precipitation, surface water, and groundwater samples from the Loch Vale watershed in Colorado were analyzed for δ15N and δ18O of nitrate to determine the processes controlling the release of atmospherically deposited nitrogen from alpine and subalpine ecosystems. Although overlap was found between the δ15N(NO3) values for all water types (−4 to +6‰), the δ18O(NO3) values for s
Authors
Donald H. Campbell, Carol Kendall, Cecily C.Y. Chang, Steven R. Silva, Kathy A. Tonnessen

Use of stable sulfur isotopes to identify sources of sulfate in Rocky Mountain snowpacks

Stable sulfur isotope ratios and major ions in bulk snowpack samples were monitored at a network of 52 high-elevation sites along and near the Continental Divide from 1993 to 1999. This information was collected to better define atmospheric deposition to remote areas of the Rocky Mountains and to help identify the major source regions of sulfate in winter deposition. Average annual ??34S values at
Authors
M.A. Mast, J.T. Turk, G.P. Ingersoll, D. W. Clow, C.L. Kester

Below are partners associated with this project.

Colorado Department of Public Health and Environment

National Park Service (NPS)

Teton Conservation District

U.S. Forest Service (USFS)

Snowpacks collect atmospheric deposition throughout the snowfall season and offer a unique opportunity to obtain a composite sample of the chemistry of most of the annual precipitation at high elevations [> 1,800 meters]. The purpose of the snowpack network is to determine annual concentrations and depositional amounts of selected nutrients and other constituents in snow resulting from atmospheric deposition, determine long-term trends in these concentrations, and to support investigations of the effects of atmospheric deposition on local and regional ecological systems. Since 1993, the project has become the most expansive and comprehensive snowpack-chemical monitoring network of its kind.

Review data collected since 1993:

Map of Rocky Mountain region showing select sample snow chemistry sites, SNOTEL sites
Sources/Usage: Public Domain. View Media Details
Map of Rocky Mountain region showing sampled snow chemistry sites, SNOTEL sites.Click to use interactive snowpack chemistry site map.

Monitoring Sites:

Snowpack Chemistry Data Collected:

 

 

 

 

 

Publications associated with this project.

Filter Total Items: 34

Current-use pesticides and organochlorine compounds in precipitation and lake sediment from two high-elevation national parks in the Western United States

Current-use pesticides (CUPs) and banned organochlorine compounds (OCCs) were measured in precipitation (snowpack and rain) and lake sediments from two national parks in the Western United States to determine their occurrence and distribution in high-elevation environments. CUPs frequently detected in snow were endosulfan, dacthal, and chlorothalonil in concentrations ranging from 0.07 to 2.4 ng/L
Authors
M.A. Mast, W.T. Foreman, S.V. Skaates
By
Water Resources Mission Area, Colorado Water Science Center

Rocky Mountain Snowpack Chemistry at Selected Sites, 2004

During spring 2004, the U.S. Geological Survey in cooperation with the National Park Service and the U.S. Department of Agriculture, Forest Service collected and analyzed snowpack samples for 65 sites in the Rocky Mountain region from New Mexico to Montana. Snowpacks were sampled from late February through early April and generally had well-below-average- to near-average snow-water equivalent. Reg
Authors
George P. Ingersoll, M. Alisa Mast, Leora Nanus, Heather H. Handran, David J. Manthorne, Douglas M. Hultstrand
By
Colorado Water Science Center

Rocky Mountain snowpack chemistry at selected sites, 2003

No abstract available.
Authors
George P. Ingersoll, M. Alisa Mast, Leora Nanus, David J. Manthorne, Heather H. Handran, Douglas M. Hulstrand, Jesse Winterringer
By
Colorado Water Science Center

Effects of emission reductions at the Hayden powerplant on precipitation, snowpack, and surface-water chemistry in the Mount Zirkel Wilderness Area, Colorado, 1995-2003

Precipitation, snowpack, and surface-water samples collected during 1995-2003 were analyzed to evaluate the effects of emission reductions at the Hayden powerplant on water chemistry in the Mount Zirkel Wilderness Area. The Hayden powerplant, one of two large coal-fired powerplants in the Yampa Valley, was retrofitted with control systems during late 1998 and 1999 to reduce emissions of sulfur dio
Authors
M. Alisa Mast, Donald H. Campbell, George P. Ingersoll
By
Water Resources Mission Area, Colorado Water Science Center

Rocky Mountain Snowpack Chemistry at Selected Sites, 2002

During spring 2002, the chemical composition of annual snowpacks in the Rocky Mountain region of the Western United States was analyzed. Snow samples were collected at 75 geographically distributed sites extending from New Mexico to Montana. Near the end of the 2002 snowfall season, the snow-water equivalent (SWE) in annual snowpacks sampled generally was below average in most of the region. Regio
Authors
George P. Ingersoll, M. Alisa Mast, Leora Nanus, David J. Manthorne, David W. Clow, Heather M. Handran, Jesse A. Winterringer, Donald H. Campbell
By
Colorado Water Science Center

Atmospheric deposition of nutrients, pesticides, and mercury in Rocky Mountain National Park, Colorado, 2002

Nutrients, current-use pesticides, and mercury were measured in atmospheric deposition during summer in Rocky Mountain National Park in Colorado to improve understanding of the type and magnitude of atmospheric contaminants being deposited in the park. Two deposition sites were established on the east side of the park: one at an elevation of 2,902 meters near Bear Lake for nutrients and pesticides
Authors
M. Alisa Mast, Donald H. Campbell, George P. Ingersoll, William T. Foreman, David P. Krabbenhoft
By
Ecosystems Mission Area, Environmental Health Program, Toxic Substances Hydrology, Colorado Water Science Center, Upper Midwest Water Science Center, Mercury Research Laboratory

Rocky Mountain snowpack chemistry at selected sites for 2001

Because regional-scale atmospheric deposition data in the Rocky Mountains are sparse, a program was designed by the U.S. Geological Survey, in cooperation with the National Park Service, U.S. Department of Agriculture Forest Service, and other agencies, to more thoroughly determine the chemical composition of precipitation and to identify sources of atmospherically deposited contaminants in a netw
Authors
George P. Ingersoll, M. Alisa Mast, David W. Clow, Leora Nanus, Donald H. Campbell, Heather Handran
By
Colorado Water Science Center

Atmospheric deposition maps for the Rocky Mountains

Variability in atmospheric deposition across the Rocky Mountains is influenced by elevation, slope, aspect, and precipitation amount and by regional and local sources of air pollution. To improve estimates of deposition in mountainous regions, maps of average annual atmospheric deposition loadings of nitrate, sulfate, and acidity were developed for the Rocky Mountains by using spatial statistics.
Authors
L. Nanus, K. Campbell, G.P. Ingersoll, D. W. Clow, M.A. Mast

Rocky Mountain snowpack chemistry network: History, methods, and the importance of monitoring mountain ecosystems

Because regional-scale atmospheric deposition data in the Rocky Mountains are sparse, a program was designed by the U.S. Geological Survey to more thoroughly determine the quality of precipitation and to identify sources of atmospherically deposited pollution in a network of high-elevation sites. Depth-integrated samples of seasonal snowpacks at 52 sampling sites, in a network from New Mexico to M
Authors
George P. Ingersoll, John T. Turk, M. Alisa Mast, David W. Clow, Donald H. Campbell, Zelda C. Bailey
By
Colorado Water Science Center

Comparison of snowpack and winter wet-deposition chemistry in the Rocky Mountains, USA: Implications for winter dry deposition

Depth-integrated snowpack chemistry was measured just prior to maximum snowpack depth during the winters of 1992-1999 at 12 sites co-located with National Atmospheric Deposition Program/National Trend Network (NADP/NTN) sites in the central and southern Rocky Mountains, USA. Winter volume-weighted mean wet-deposition concentrations were calculated for the NADP/NTN sites, and the data were compared
Authors
David W. Clow, George P. Ingersoll, M. Alisa Mast, John T. Turk, Donald H. Campbell
By
Water Resources Mission Area, Colorado Water Science Center

Pathways for nitrate release from an alpine watershed: Determination using δ15N and δ18O

Snowpack, snowmelt, precipitation, surface water, and groundwater samples from the Loch Vale watershed in Colorado were analyzed for δ15N and δ18O of nitrate to determine the processes controlling the release of atmospherically deposited nitrogen from alpine and subalpine ecosystems. Although overlap was found between the δ15N(NO3) values for all water types (−4 to +6‰), the δ18O(NO3) values for s
Authors
Donald H. Campbell, Carol Kendall, Cecily C.Y. Chang, Steven R. Silva, Kathy A. Tonnessen

Use of stable sulfur isotopes to identify sources of sulfate in Rocky Mountain snowpacks

Stable sulfur isotope ratios and major ions in bulk snowpack samples were monitored at a network of 52 high-elevation sites along and near the Continental Divide from 1993 to 1999. This information was collected to better define atmospheric deposition to remote areas of the Rocky Mountains and to help identify the major source regions of sulfate in winter deposition. Average annual ??34S values at
Authors
M.A. Mast, J.T. Turk, G.P. Ingersoll, D. W. Clow, C.L. Kester

Below are partners associated with this project.

Colorado Department of Public Health and Environment

National Park Service (NPS)

Teton Conservation District

U.S. Forest Service (USFS)

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