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Zachary Miller (Former Employee)

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Researchers prepare to fly drone in snowy mountain terrain

Remote Sensing Tools Advance Avalanche Research

The USGS Snow and Avalanche Project (SNAP) uses remotely sensed technologies to understand snowpack changes that influence water storage, recreation, avalanche hazard and acts as a driver of landscape change. Satellites, uninhabited aerial systems (UAS), and structure-from-motion (SfM) photogrammetry are some of the tools scientists use to collect high resolution imagery that supports ongoing snow...
By
Ecosystems Mission Area, Ecosystems Land Change Science Program, Northern Rocky Mountain Science Center
link

Remote Sensing Tools Advance Avalanche Research

The USGS Snow and Avalanche Project (SNAP) uses remotely sensed technologies to understand snowpack changes that influence water storage, recreation, avalanche hazard and acts as a driver of landscape change. Satellites, uninhabited aerial systems (UAS), and structure-from-motion (SfM) photogrammetry are some of the tools scientists use to collect high resolution imagery that supports ongoing snow...
Learn More
link
avalanche forecaster approaches debris of old avalanche

USGS Snow and Avalanche Project

Snow avalanches are a widespread natural hazard to humans and infrastructure as well as an important landscape disturbance affecting mountain ecosystems. Forecasting avalanche frequency is challenging on various spatial and temporal scales, and this project aims to fill a gap in snow science by focusing on reconstructing avalanche history on the continental mountain range scale - throughout the...
By
Ecosystems Land Change Science Program
link

USGS Snow and Avalanche Project

Snow avalanches are a widespread natural hazard to humans and infrastructure as well as an important landscape disturbance affecting mountain ecosystems. Forecasting avalanche frequency is challenging on various spatial and temporal scales, and this project aims to fill a gap in snow science by focusing on reconstructing avalanche history on the continental mountain range scale - throughout the...
Learn More
link
It requires heavy machinery to remove snow and debris along the road. In this image, crews are removing 20+ feet of snow from th

Going-to-the-Sun Road Avalanche Forecasting Program

As the most popular attraction in Glacier National Park (GNP), the Going-to-the-Sun Road traverses scenic alpine zones and crosses the Continental Divide at Logan Pass (2026m or 6,647' elevation). The Park closes a 56km (34.8 mile) section of the road each winter due to inclement weather, heavy snowfall, and avalanche hazards. Annual spring opening of the road is a highly anticipated event for...
By
Ecosystems Mission Area, Ecosystems Land Change Science Program, Northern Rocky Mountain Science Center
link

Going-to-the-Sun Road Avalanche Forecasting Program

As the most popular attraction in Glacier National Park (GNP), the Going-to-the-Sun Road traverses scenic alpine zones and crosses the Continental Divide at Logan Pass (2026m or 6,647' elevation). The Park closes a 56km (34.8 mile) section of the road each winter due to inclement weather, heavy snowfall, and avalanche hazards. Annual spring opening of the road is a highly anticipated event for...
Learn More

Historical simulated snowpack and other hydrometeorology data at 30 m for the Crown of the Continent and vicinity, United States and Canada, water years 1981-2020

This data release contains historical SnowModel (Liston and Elder, 2006) output for the Crown of the Continent and surrounding areas in Montana, USA; and Alberta and British Columbia, Canada from September 1, 1981 through August 31, 2020. Fifteen daily variables were simulated or derived for this release: (1) snow water equivalent (swed), (2) liquid precipitation (rpre), (3) solid precipitation (s
By
Wyoming-Montana Water Science Center

Historical simulated snowpack and other hydrometeorology data at 90 m for the Crown of the Continent and vicinity, United States and Canada, water years 1981-2020

This data release contains historical SnowModel (Liston and Elder, 2006) output for the Crown of the Continent and surrounding areas in Montana and Idaho, USA; and Alberta and British Columbia, Canada from September 1, 1981 through August 31, 2020. Fifteen daily variables were simulated or derived for this release: (1) snow water equivalent (swed), (2) liquid precipitation (rpre), (3) solid precip
By
Northern Rocky Mountain Science Center

USGS Benchmark Glacier Mass Balance and Project Data

Since the late 1950s, the USGS has maintained a long-term glacier mass-balance program at three North American glaciers. Measurements began on South Cascade Glacier, WA in 1958, expanding to Gulkana and Wolverine glaciers, AK in 1966, and later Sperry Glacier, MT in 2005. Additional measurements have been made on Lemon Creek Glacier, AK to compliment data collected by the Juneau Icefield Research
By
Alaska Science Center

2020 winter timeseries of UAS derived digital surface models (DSMs) from the Hourglass study site, Bridger Mountains, Montana, USA

Unmanned Aerial System (UAS) flights were conducted over the headwaters of the South Fork of Brackett Creek in the Bridger Mountains of SW Montana during the winter of 2020. The flights collected overlapping imagery focused on a steep mountain couloir study site known locally as "the Hourglass." Structure from motion (SfM) photogrammetry was used to process the collected imagery and create digital
By
Ecosystems Land Change Science Program, Northern Rocky Mountain Science Center

Glacier-Wide Mass Balance and Compiled Data Inputs: USGS Benchmark Glaciers

Since the late 1950s, the USGS has maintained a long-term glacier mass-balance program at key North American glaciers. Measurements began on South Cascade Glacier, WA in 1958, expanding to Gulkana and Wolverine glaciers, AK in 1966, and later Sperry Glacier, MT in 2005. The Juneau Icefield Research Program has measured glacier mass balance on Lemon Creek since the mid-1940s, with USGS providing co
By
Ecosystems Land Change Science Program, Alaska Science Center

Avalanche occurrence records along the Going-to-the-Sun Road, Glacier National Park, Montana from 2003-2024 (ver. 4.0, November 2024)

Starting in 2003, the U.S. Geological Survey (USGS) Northern Rocky Mountain Science Center in West Glacier, MT, in collaboration with the National Park Service, collected avalanche observations along the Going to the Sun Road during the spring road-clearing operations. The spring road-clearing along Going to the Sun Road utilized a team of avalanche specialists from the USGS and Glacier National P
By
Northern Rocky Mountain Science Center

Raw Ground Penetrating Radar Data on North American Glaciers

U.S. Geological Survey researchers conducted time-series ground-penetrating radar (GPR) surveys with a Sensors and Software 500-MHz Pulse Ekko Pro system. This data release contains ground-based (ski and snowmobile) as well as airborne common-offset profiles. All profiles are linked to coincident GPS observations. Additionally, common-midpoint data was collected at specific glacier locations. Coin
By
Alaska Science Center

High Altitude Weather Station Data at USGS Benchmark Glaciers

Since the late 1950s, the USGS has maintained a long-term glacier mass-balance program at three North American glaciers. Measurements began on South Cascade Glacier, WA in 1958, expanding to Gulkana and Wolverine glaciers, AK in 1966, and later Sperry Glacier, MT in 2005. Additional measurements have been made on Lemon Creek Glacier, AK to compliment data collected by the Juneau Icefield Research
By
Alaska Science Center
snow covered steep mountain slopes
Steep terrain of the Bridger Mountains, Montana
Steep terrain of the Bridger Mountains, Montana
snow covered steep mountain slopes

Steep terrain of the Bridger Mountains, Montana

Steep terrain of the Bridger Mountains, Montana

Image showing the overview of a study site in the steep terrain of the Bridger Mountains of southwest Montanataken by an Uncrewed Aircraft System (UAS) while collecting data. The site’s complex terrain and topography are being studied to gain insights into snow depth and distribution in previously inaccessible areas.

By
Climate Research and Development Program, Climate Research and Development Program
snow covered steep mountain slopes

Steep terrain of the Bridger Mountains, Montana

Steep terrain of the Bridger Mountains, Montana

Image showing the overview of a study site in the steep terrain of the Bridger Mountains of southwest Montanataken by an Uncrewed Aircraft System (UAS) while collecting data. The site’s complex terrain and topography are being studied to gain insights into snow depth and distribution in previously inaccessible areas.

By
Climate Research and Development Program, Climate Research and Development Program
uncrewed aircraft system landing zone in Bridger Mountains
Uncrewed aircraft system landing zone in Bridger Mountains
Uncrewed aircraft system landing zone in Bridger Mountains
uncrewed aircraft system landing zone in Bridger Mountains

Uncrewed aircraft system landing zone in Bridger Mountains

Uncrewed aircraft system landing zone in Bridger Mountains

The Uncrewed Aircraft System (UAS) landing zone with the study site in the background. Bridger Mountains, MT.

By
Climate Research and Development Program, Climate Research and Development Program
uncrewed aircraft system landing zone in Bridger Mountains

Uncrewed aircraft system landing zone in Bridger Mountains

Uncrewed aircraft system landing zone in Bridger Mountains

The Uncrewed Aircraft System (UAS) landing zone with the study site in the background. Bridger Mountains, MT.

By
Climate Research and Development Program, Climate Research and Development Program

Assessing snowpack stratigraphy accuracy based on different input data: Insights for operations avalanche forecasting

Avalanche forecasters and snow scientists use physically based snow stratigraphy models to fill spatial and temporal gaps in field-based snow profile observations. These models generate stratigraphy predictions using meteorological input from automated weather stations (AWS) or numerical weather prediction (NWP) models. The choice of input data is often determined by data availability or convenien
Authors
Ross T. Palomaki, Zachary Miller
By
Ecosystems Mission Area, Northern Rocky Mountain Science Center

Comparing snowpack meteorological inputs to support regional wet snow avalanche forecasting

Wet snow avalanches are predicted to increase in frequency with climate change and are often difficult to forecast. Improving our understanding of wet snow avalanche timing will help with current forecasting challenges. The onset of wet snow avalanching is closely tied to the temporal progression of liquid water flow through the seasonal snowpack. Measuring the flow of water through the snowpack i
Authors
Zachary Miller, Simon Horton, Christoph Mitterer, Erich Peitzsch
By
Ecosystems Mission Area, Ecosystems Land Change Science Program, Northern Rocky Mountain Science Center

Mapping a glide avalanche with terrestrial lidar in Glacier National Park, USA

Thorough documentation of large avalanche events is important for forecasting efforts, infrastructure planning, and investigating the processes involved in avalanche formation and release. However, due in part to the isolated and dangerous nature of avalanche terrain, collecting in-situ, spatially continuous, and quantitative information surrounding avalanches remains difficult. Advances in remote
Authors
James W. Dillon, Zachary Miller, Erich Peitzsch, Kevin D. Hammonds
By
Ecosystems Mission Area, Ecosystems Land Change Science Program, Northern Rocky Mountain Science Center

Spatial extent of forested avalanche terrain impacted by wildfire across the Sawtooth National Forest

Forest structure is a major driver of mountain snowpacks and avalanche occurrence. Healthy forests can reduce the incidence of dangerous slab avalanches, slow avalanches when in motion, shorten their runout distances, and act as a safety buffer for backcountry users, infrastructure, and transportation corridors. Since 1984, wildfire area in the seasonal snow zone of the western United States has i
Authors
Zachary Miller, John Sykes, Megan Guinn, Benjamin VandenBos, Scott Savage, Erich Peitzsch
By
Ecosystems Mission Area, Ecosystems Land Change Science Program, Northern Rocky Mountain Science Center

Assessing the seasonal evolution of snow depth spatial variability and scaling in complex mountain terrain

Dynamic natural processes govern snow distribution in mountainous environments throughout the world. Interactions between these different processes create spatially variable patterns of snow depth across a landscape. Variations in accumulation and redistribution occur at a variety of spatial scales, which are well established for moderate mountain terrain. However, spatial patterns of snow depth v
Authors
Zachary Miller, Erich Peitzsch, Eric A. Sproles, Karl W. Birkeland, Ross T. Palomaki
By
Ecosystems Mission Area, Ecosystems Land Change Science Program, Northern Rocky Mountain Science Center
USGS Snow and Avalanche Research in the News

USGS Snow and Avalanche Research in the News

USGS Northern Rocky Mountain Science Center snow and avalanche scientists are asked by the media to comment on a wide variety of topics including...

Read Article

Science and Products

link
Researchers prepare to fly drone in snowy mountain terrain

Remote Sensing Tools Advance Avalanche Research

The USGS Snow and Avalanche Project (SNAP) uses remotely sensed technologies to understand snowpack changes that influence water storage, recreation, avalanche hazard and acts as a driver of landscape change. Satellites, uninhabited aerial systems (UAS), and structure-from-motion (SfM) photogrammetry are some of the tools scientists use to collect high resolution imagery that supports ongoing snow...
By
Ecosystems Mission Area, Ecosystems Land Change Science Program, Northern Rocky Mountain Science Center
link

Remote Sensing Tools Advance Avalanche Research

The USGS Snow and Avalanche Project (SNAP) uses remotely sensed technologies to understand snowpack changes that influence water storage, recreation, avalanche hazard and acts as a driver of landscape change. Satellites, uninhabited aerial systems (UAS), and structure-from-motion (SfM) photogrammetry are some of the tools scientists use to collect high resolution imagery that supports ongoing snow...
Learn More
link
avalanche forecaster approaches debris of old avalanche

USGS Snow and Avalanche Project

Snow avalanches are a widespread natural hazard to humans and infrastructure as well as an important landscape disturbance affecting mountain ecosystems. Forecasting avalanche frequency is challenging on various spatial and temporal scales, and this project aims to fill a gap in snow science by focusing on reconstructing avalanche history on the continental mountain range scale - throughout the...
By
Ecosystems Land Change Science Program
link

USGS Snow and Avalanche Project

Snow avalanches are a widespread natural hazard to humans and infrastructure as well as an important landscape disturbance affecting mountain ecosystems. Forecasting avalanche frequency is challenging on various spatial and temporal scales, and this project aims to fill a gap in snow science by focusing on reconstructing avalanche history on the continental mountain range scale - throughout the...
Learn More
link
It requires heavy machinery to remove snow and debris along the road. In this image, crews are removing 20+ feet of snow from th

Going-to-the-Sun Road Avalanche Forecasting Program

As the most popular attraction in Glacier National Park (GNP), the Going-to-the-Sun Road traverses scenic alpine zones and crosses the Continental Divide at Logan Pass (2026m or 6,647' elevation). The Park closes a 56km (34.8 mile) section of the road each winter due to inclement weather, heavy snowfall, and avalanche hazards. Annual spring opening of the road is a highly anticipated event for...
By
Ecosystems Mission Area, Ecosystems Land Change Science Program, Northern Rocky Mountain Science Center
link

Going-to-the-Sun Road Avalanche Forecasting Program

As the most popular attraction in Glacier National Park (GNP), the Going-to-the-Sun Road traverses scenic alpine zones and crosses the Continental Divide at Logan Pass (2026m or 6,647' elevation). The Park closes a 56km (34.8 mile) section of the road each winter due to inclement weather, heavy snowfall, and avalanche hazards. Annual spring opening of the road is a highly anticipated event for...
Learn More

Historical simulated snowpack and other hydrometeorology data at 30 m for the Crown of the Continent and vicinity, United States and Canada, water years 1981-2020

This data release contains historical SnowModel (Liston and Elder, 2006) output for the Crown of the Continent and surrounding areas in Montana, USA; and Alberta and British Columbia, Canada from September 1, 1981 through August 31, 2020. Fifteen daily variables were simulated or derived for this release: (1) snow water equivalent (swed), (2) liquid precipitation (rpre), (3) solid precipitation (s
By
Wyoming-Montana Water Science Center

Historical simulated snowpack and other hydrometeorology data at 90 m for the Crown of the Continent and vicinity, United States and Canada, water years 1981-2020

This data release contains historical SnowModel (Liston and Elder, 2006) output for the Crown of the Continent and surrounding areas in Montana and Idaho, USA; and Alberta and British Columbia, Canada from September 1, 1981 through August 31, 2020. Fifteen daily variables were simulated or derived for this release: (1) snow water equivalent (swed), (2) liquid precipitation (rpre), (3) solid precip
By
Northern Rocky Mountain Science Center

USGS Benchmark Glacier Mass Balance and Project Data

Since the late 1950s, the USGS has maintained a long-term glacier mass-balance program at three North American glaciers. Measurements began on South Cascade Glacier, WA in 1958, expanding to Gulkana and Wolverine glaciers, AK in 1966, and later Sperry Glacier, MT in 2005. Additional measurements have been made on Lemon Creek Glacier, AK to compliment data collected by the Juneau Icefield Research
By
Alaska Science Center

2020 winter timeseries of UAS derived digital surface models (DSMs) from the Hourglass study site, Bridger Mountains, Montana, USA

Unmanned Aerial System (UAS) flights were conducted over the headwaters of the South Fork of Brackett Creek in the Bridger Mountains of SW Montana during the winter of 2020. The flights collected overlapping imagery focused on a steep mountain couloir study site known locally as "the Hourglass." Structure from motion (SfM) photogrammetry was used to process the collected imagery and create digital
By
Ecosystems Land Change Science Program, Northern Rocky Mountain Science Center

Glacier-Wide Mass Balance and Compiled Data Inputs: USGS Benchmark Glaciers

Since the late 1950s, the USGS has maintained a long-term glacier mass-balance program at key North American glaciers. Measurements began on South Cascade Glacier, WA in 1958, expanding to Gulkana and Wolverine glaciers, AK in 1966, and later Sperry Glacier, MT in 2005. The Juneau Icefield Research Program has measured glacier mass balance on Lemon Creek since the mid-1940s, with USGS providing co
By
Ecosystems Land Change Science Program, Alaska Science Center

Avalanche occurrence records along the Going-to-the-Sun Road, Glacier National Park, Montana from 2003-2024 (ver. 4.0, November 2024)

Starting in 2003, the U.S. Geological Survey (USGS) Northern Rocky Mountain Science Center in West Glacier, MT, in collaboration with the National Park Service, collected avalanche observations along the Going to the Sun Road during the spring road-clearing operations. The spring road-clearing along Going to the Sun Road utilized a team of avalanche specialists from the USGS and Glacier National P
By
Northern Rocky Mountain Science Center

Raw Ground Penetrating Radar Data on North American Glaciers

U.S. Geological Survey researchers conducted time-series ground-penetrating radar (GPR) surveys with a Sensors and Software 500-MHz Pulse Ekko Pro system. This data release contains ground-based (ski and snowmobile) as well as airborne common-offset profiles. All profiles are linked to coincident GPS observations. Additionally, common-midpoint data was collected at specific glacier locations. Coin
By
Alaska Science Center

High Altitude Weather Station Data at USGS Benchmark Glaciers

Since the late 1950s, the USGS has maintained a long-term glacier mass-balance program at three North American glaciers. Measurements began on South Cascade Glacier, WA in 1958, expanding to Gulkana and Wolverine glaciers, AK in 1966, and later Sperry Glacier, MT in 2005. Additional measurements have been made on Lemon Creek Glacier, AK to compliment data collected by the Juneau Icefield Research
By
Alaska Science Center
snow covered steep mountain slopes
Steep terrain of the Bridger Mountains, Montana
Steep terrain of the Bridger Mountains, Montana
snow covered steep mountain slopes

Steep terrain of the Bridger Mountains, Montana

Steep terrain of the Bridger Mountains, Montana

Image showing the overview of a study site in the steep terrain of the Bridger Mountains of southwest Montanataken by an Uncrewed Aircraft System (UAS) while collecting data. The site’s complex terrain and topography are being studied to gain insights into snow depth and distribution in previously inaccessible areas.

By
Climate Research and Development Program, Climate Research and Development Program
snow covered steep mountain slopes

Steep terrain of the Bridger Mountains, Montana

Steep terrain of the Bridger Mountains, Montana

Image showing the overview of a study site in the steep terrain of the Bridger Mountains of southwest Montanataken by an Uncrewed Aircraft System (UAS) while collecting data. The site’s complex terrain and topography are being studied to gain insights into snow depth and distribution in previously inaccessible areas.

By
Climate Research and Development Program, Climate Research and Development Program
uncrewed aircraft system landing zone in Bridger Mountains
Uncrewed aircraft system landing zone in Bridger Mountains
Uncrewed aircraft system landing zone in Bridger Mountains
uncrewed aircraft system landing zone in Bridger Mountains

Uncrewed aircraft system landing zone in Bridger Mountains

Uncrewed aircraft system landing zone in Bridger Mountains

The Uncrewed Aircraft System (UAS) landing zone with the study site in the background. Bridger Mountains, MT.

By
Climate Research and Development Program, Climate Research and Development Program
uncrewed aircraft system landing zone in Bridger Mountains

Uncrewed aircraft system landing zone in Bridger Mountains

Uncrewed aircraft system landing zone in Bridger Mountains

The Uncrewed Aircraft System (UAS) landing zone with the study site in the background. Bridger Mountains, MT.

By
Climate Research and Development Program, Climate Research and Development Program

Assessing snowpack stratigraphy accuracy based on different input data: Insights for operations avalanche forecasting

Avalanche forecasters and snow scientists use physically based snow stratigraphy models to fill spatial and temporal gaps in field-based snow profile observations. These models generate stratigraphy predictions using meteorological input from automated weather stations (AWS) or numerical weather prediction (NWP) models. The choice of input data is often determined by data availability or convenien
Authors
Ross T. Palomaki, Zachary Miller
By
Ecosystems Mission Area, Northern Rocky Mountain Science Center

Comparing snowpack meteorological inputs to support regional wet snow avalanche forecasting

Wet snow avalanches are predicted to increase in frequency with climate change and are often difficult to forecast. Improving our understanding of wet snow avalanche timing will help with current forecasting challenges. The onset of wet snow avalanching is closely tied to the temporal progression of liquid water flow through the seasonal snowpack. Measuring the flow of water through the snowpack i
Authors
Zachary Miller, Simon Horton, Christoph Mitterer, Erich Peitzsch
By
Ecosystems Mission Area, Ecosystems Land Change Science Program, Northern Rocky Mountain Science Center

Mapping a glide avalanche with terrestrial lidar in Glacier National Park, USA

Thorough documentation of large avalanche events is important for forecasting efforts, infrastructure planning, and investigating the processes involved in avalanche formation and release. However, due in part to the isolated and dangerous nature of avalanche terrain, collecting in-situ, spatially continuous, and quantitative information surrounding avalanches remains difficult. Advances in remote
Authors
James W. Dillon, Zachary Miller, Erich Peitzsch, Kevin D. Hammonds
By
Ecosystems Mission Area, Ecosystems Land Change Science Program, Northern Rocky Mountain Science Center

Spatial extent of forested avalanche terrain impacted by wildfire across the Sawtooth National Forest

Forest structure is a major driver of mountain snowpacks and avalanche occurrence. Healthy forests can reduce the incidence of dangerous slab avalanches, slow avalanches when in motion, shorten their runout distances, and act as a safety buffer for backcountry users, infrastructure, and transportation corridors. Since 1984, wildfire area in the seasonal snow zone of the western United States has i
Authors
Zachary Miller, John Sykes, Megan Guinn, Benjamin VandenBos, Scott Savage, Erich Peitzsch
By
Ecosystems Mission Area, Ecosystems Land Change Science Program, Northern Rocky Mountain Science Center

Assessing the seasonal evolution of snow depth spatial variability and scaling in complex mountain terrain

Dynamic natural processes govern snow distribution in mountainous environments throughout the world. Interactions between these different processes create spatially variable patterns of snow depth across a landscape. Variations in accumulation and redistribution occur at a variety of spatial scales, which are well established for moderate mountain terrain. However, spatial patterns of snow depth v
Authors
Zachary Miller, Erich Peitzsch, Eric A. Sproles, Karl W. Birkeland, Ross T. Palomaki
By
Ecosystems Mission Area, Ecosystems Land Change Science Program, Northern Rocky Mountain Science Center
USGS Snow and Avalanche Research in the News

USGS Snow and Avalanche Research in the News

USGS Northern Rocky Mountain Science Center snow and avalanche scientists are asked by the media to comment on a wide variety of topics including...

Read Article
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