Alpine Hydrology in Colorado
Here in Boulder, the majority of our drinking water comes from Boulder Creek, which originates high up in the Rockies at the Continental Divide. The headwaters of North Boulder Creek are within the City of Boulder watershed, which is closed to the public. Adjacent to the watershed is the Niwot Ridge Long Term Ecological Research site, where students and researchers from CU and across the country study climate, tundra vegetation, pikas and marmots, microbial life, and hydrology (water and snow).
Each year, a few researchers from the University of Colorado are allowed to access the Green Lakes Valley, inside of the City of Boulder watershed, to conduct long-term ecological research.
Alpine hydrologists, like CU graduate student Katya Hafich and professor Dr. Mark Williams, study the amount and quality of water in Green Lakes Valley. A primary concern for hydrologists and city water managers is how much water will be available for use each year. Students from CU monitor and model the snowpack in Green Lakes Valley during the annual snow survey, which occurs when the maximum accumulation of snow is reached. Students and researchers ski into the valley to take 500 snow depth measurements and dig 6 snow pits.