This is the first "Highlights from the USGS Colorado Water Science Center" that we plan to provide to you every couple months. The focus will be on New Publications, New Projects, and Other News of interest to the Colorado water community. Please let us know if you find this method of communication useful!
NEW PUBLICATIONS - All new USGS publications can be found at: http://pubs.er.usgs.gov/usgspubs/recentpubs.jsp
Water Budgets: Foundations for Effective Water-Resources and Environmental Management by R.W. Healy and others: http://pubs.usgs.gov/circ/2007/1308/ This report is the latest in a series that provides information to the public and decision makers on a wide variety of hydrologic topics. To get a copy, contact Patti Speckman at paspeckm@usgs.gov. To see other reports in this series, go to http://water.usgs.gov/ogw/pubs.html and look under USGS Circulars.
Dissolved Solids in Basin-Fill Aquifers and Streams in the Southwestern United States by D.W. Anning and others: http://pubs.usgs.gov/sir/2006/5315/ This report concludes that although salinity varies widely, levels have generally decreased in the last two decades. For more information, contact Nancy Bauch at njbauch@usgs.gov.
NEW PROJECTS
Selenium Loading - The USGS CWSC is working with the City of Aurora to characterize the distribution of selenium loading to Toll Gate Creek. Tracer-injection experiments and synoptic sampling were conducted along Toll Gate Creek during July 2007 to identify locations and concentrations of ground-water inflow to the surface-water system. In addition, ground-water monitoring wells in proximity to the stream were sampled to characterize ground-water chemistry. Data analysis and interpretation are in progress. For more information, contact Suzanne Paschke at spaschke@usgs.gov.
Snowmelt and Runoff Timing - Based on a pilot evaluation that indicated that snowmelt and runoff were occurring earlier in Colorado headwaters areas,the Colorado Water Conservation Board and several other water entities are working with the USGS CWSC on an evaluation of changes in the timing of snowmelt and runoff in Colorado. The study will use information from 72 SNOTEL sites and 40 stream gages during the period 1978-2004. For more information, contact Dave Clow at dwclow@usgs.gov.
OTHER NEWS
Doug Cain, Associate Director for Hydrologic Studies, USGS CWSC, is retiring at the end of 2007, after a 33-year career with USGS water programs in Colorado.Don Campbell, currently a Research Hydrologist with the USGS CWSC, has been selected to fill this position. Don, who has worked in the USGS CWSC since 1983, has focused on studies of climate change, nutrient cycling, and atmospheric deposition. He enjoys finding new applications for hydrologic research, monitoring, and modeling to inform resource policy and management decisions, and looks forward to working with the Colorado water community. Don can be reached at dhcampbe@usgs.gov.
