January 15, 2008--Southwest water supply peaks scientists interest (Cortez Journal)
Southwest Colorado's rivers are far from major universities, and they haven't attracted much attention from scientists. That's changing, though. A graduate student working with the Mountain Studies Institute is putting together an analysis of the Southwest's long-term water supply data: temperature, rainfall, snowfall and streamflows. "That's never been done with a focus particularly on our region," said Koren Nydick, director of the institute. The study should be ready in time for a climate conference MSI is planning to hold in Silverton next June. A recent study by a Silverton scientist has opened "a can of worms" on the effect of dust storms on the water supply. Chris Landry with Silverton's Center for Snow and Avalanche Studies showed that dust storms from Utah, Arizona and New Mexico are causing the snow to melt 18 to 35 days early in the San Juan Mountains. White snow reflects the sun's heat, while dark dust absorbs it and melts the underlying snow. Now, he hopes to help water managers across the West find a way to apply his dust research.
To view the full article, visit the Cortez Journal. For a copy of the original article contact the WIP at (970) 247-1302 or stop by the office at 841 East Second Avenue in Durango.