Spring Runoff is Older Than You Think

Spring Runoff is Older Than You Think

DRI’s Rosemary Carroll, Research Professor of Hydrology, co-authored a new study that found spring runoff in mountains across the Western U.S. is much older than previously known. Using advanced dating techniques, the research discovered that melting mountain snowpacks first replenish groundwater reserves before filling springs several years later. This means that the water relied on by communities across the West takes over five years from snowflake to streamflow. The research has implications for water management and our understanding of the changing dynamics of water availability.

Blurring the Line Between Rain and Snow: The Limits of Meteorological Classification

Blurring the Line Between Rain and Snow: The Limits of Meteorological Classification

A new study published in Nature Communications utilizes insights gleaned from DRI’s Mountain Rain or Snow project to evaluate why traditional weather forecasting struggles to identify the rain/snow transition line. The research was possible because thousands of community members across the U.S. contributed more than 40 thousand observations of the type of precipitation falling at their location.

FARMing with Data: OpenET Launches New Tool for Farmers and Ranchers

FARMing with Data: OpenET Launches New Tool for Farmers and Ranchers

A NASA, DRI, and U.S. Geological Survey (USGS)-supported research and development team is making it easier for farmers and ranchers to manage their water resources. The team, called OpenET, created the Farm and Ranch Management Support (FARMS) tool, which puts timely, high-resolution water data directly in the hands of individuals and small farm operators.

Measuring Colorado River Evaporation from Reservoirs

Measuring Colorado River Evaporation from Reservoirs

DRI is advancing water management in the Colorado River basin with support from the National Science Foundation’s Southwest Sustainability Innovation Engine (SWSIE) and the Governor’s Office of Economic Development. Partnering with Hydrosat, DRI uses high-resolution satellite thermal imaging to enhance evaporation estimates from key reservoirs, ensuring better resource planning amidst drought and population growth.