High Elevation Hydrology and Effects of Development                    [ back to Beverley Wemple ]
High elevation, forested watersheds are particularly vulnerable to stresses from development.  Steep slopes and thin soils rapidly transmit water, nutrients and sediment when disturbed by logging, road construction or other activities associated with development.  Climatic conditions lead to runoff processes unique from the lowland environment, including periods of extended snow cover and runoff events driven by rain-on-snow events.  High elevation watersheds also provide habitat to fragile plant communities and important aquatic organisms.  Improved understanding of ecosystem processes and the effects of natural and anthropogenic disturbance in these environments is critical for improved ecosystem management and environmental risk assessment.
Many ski areas in the northeastern U.S. are proposing or executing major expansion programs in an effort to provide a resort experience comparable to western U.S. resorts.  These activities include expanded trail systems, improved snowmaking facilities and slope-side development of accommodation and amenities.  White these expansion plans require environmental impact assessments, little scientific literature exists to support analyses of the effects of ski area development on watershed processes.  mansfield

This research addresses the need for improved scientific understanding of the impacts of ski-area development on forested, mountain watersheds.  Using a paired-watershed approach, we are gaging streamflow and monitoring water quality from the West Branch and Ranch Brook watersheds on the eastern slope of Mt. Mansfield in Vermont.  The West Branch watershed (11.8 km2) encompasses an alpine ski area.  Ranch Brook (9.8 km2) serves as our “control” watershed.  Collaborative efforts involve studies of aquatic ecology and soil chemistry in the watersheds.




Collaborators:

Jamie Shanley, U. S. Geological Survey, Montpelier, Vermont

Don Ross, Department of Plant and Soil Science, University of Vermont

Perry Thomas, Sterling College, Vermont


Publications:

Wemple, B., J. Shanley, J. Denner, D. Ross and K. Mills, 2007.  "Hydrology and water quality in two mountain basins of the northeastern U.S.: assessing baseline conditions and effects of ski area development."  Hydrological Processes, 21:1639-1650.  DOI: 10.1002/hyp.6700.

Wemple B., J. Shanley, and S.  Waichler, 2003.  “Forest disturbance through alpine ski area development: results of a paired watershed study in the Northeastern U.S.”  EOS Transactions of the American Geophysical Union, 84(46), Fall Meeting Supplement, Abstract B32C-07, F297.  [abstract]  [poster]

Wemple B., J. Shanley, J. Denner, 2002.  “Effects of an Alpine Ski Resort on Hydrology and Water Quality in the Northeastern U.S.: Preliminary Findings from a Field Study.”  EOS Transactions of the American Geophysical Union, 83(47), Fall Meeting Supplement, Abstract H51B-0813, F436.  [abstract]   [slides]

Shanley, J. S. and B. C. Wemple. 2002. “Water Quality and Quantity in the Mountain Environment” in J. Milne and E. Miller (eds.) Mountain Resorts: Ecology and the Law special issue of the Vermont Law Review, 26(3): 717-751.