Grantee Research Project Results
Frozen Ground Control on Snowmelt Flowpaths and Surface Water Chemistry in Two Alpine Basins
EPA Grant Number: U915767Title: Frozen Ground Control on Snowmelt Flowpaths and Surface Water Chemistry in Two Alpine Basins
Investigators: Hamann, Hillary B.
Institution: University of Colorado at Boulder
EPA Project Officer: Lee, Sonja
Project Period: August 1, 2000 through August 1, 2002
Project Amount: $95,312
RFA: STAR Graduate Fellowships (2000) RFA Text | Recipients Lists
Research Category: Fellowship - Geography , Academic Fellowships , Ecological Indicators/Assessment/Restoration
Objective:
The goal of this research project is to understand how snowmelt flowpaths are influenced by frozen ground in mid-latitude alpine basins and how these flowpaths dictate surface water chemistry in relation to snowmelt.
Approach:
This research will be conducted in two small headwater basins draining Niwot Ridge at 3500 m in the Colorado Front Range. To examine the effect of snowmelt flowpaths on stream chemistry, the Saddle and Martinelli streams were intensively sampled during the start of snowmelt in 1998, 1999, and 2000. Mass balance chemical (Na+, Si) and isotopic (18O) hydrograph separations will be used to determine different flowpath contributions to surface water runoff and their changes over time. Basin runoff will be modeled using TOPMODEL, a topography-based flow routing model, and the calibration of basin infiltration during spring and summer runoff periods will be compared to evaluate the impact that frozen ground has on stream runoff. Finally, the effects of frozen ground on snowmelt infiltration will be measured directly in the field by infiltrometer experiments and by mapping the extent of basal ice development in the basins during the start of snowmelt runoff.
Expected Results:
This study will increase our understanding of how snowmelt flowpaths are influenced by frozen ground in mid-latitude alpine basins. It also will elucidate how these flowpaths dictate surface water chemistry in relation to snowmelt.
Supplemental Keywords:
frozen ground, hydrologic flowpaths, hydrograph separation, snowmelt, infiltration, TOPMODEL, alpine, Colorado, CO, watersheds, acid deposition, hydrology, stream chemistry., Scientific Discipline, Water, Geographic Area, Environmental Chemistry, Geochemistry, Chemistry, State, Analytical Chemistry, Wet Weather Flows, Ecology and Ecosystems, Geology, hydrologic dynamics, ecosystem evaluation, runoff, flow monitor, snowmelt, snowmelt flowpaths, surface water chemistry, acid depositionProgress and Final Reports:
The perspectives, information and conclusions conveyed in research project abstracts, progress reports, final reports, journal abstracts and journal publications convey the viewpoints of the principal investigator and may not represent the views and policies of ORD and EPA. Conclusions drawn by the principal investigators have not been reviewed by the Agency.