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The Wasatch Environmental Observatory: A mountain to urban research network in the semi-arid Western US
  • +18
  • Jennifer J. Follstad Shah,
  • Ryan Bares,
  • Brenda B. Bowen,
  • Gabriel J. Bowen,
  • David P. Eiriksson,
  • A. Gannet Hallar,
  • John D. Horel,
  • Sarah J. Hinners,
  • Logan R. Jamison,
  • John C. Lin,
  • Diane E. Pataki,
  • S. McKenzie Skiles,
  • Rose M. Smith,
  • Margaret A. Wolf,
  • Paul D. Brooks,
  • David R. Bowling,
  • Benjamin Fasoli,
  • Richard P. Fiorella,
  • Alexander A. Jacques,
  • Daniel L. Mendoza,
  • Logan E. Mitchell
Jennifer J. Follstad Shah
University of Utah

Corresponding Author:[email protected]

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Ryan Bares
University of Utah
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Brenda B. Bowen
University of Utah
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Gabriel J. Bowen
University of Utah
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David P. Eiriksson
University of Utah
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A. Gannet Hallar
University of Utah
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John D. Horel
University of Utah
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Sarah J. Hinners
University of Utah
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Logan R. Jamison
University of Utah
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John C. Lin
University of Utah
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Diane E. Pataki
University of Utah
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S. McKenzie Skiles
University of Utah
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Rose M. Smith
University of Utah
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Margaret A. Wolf
University of Utah
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Paul D. Brooks
University of Utah
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David R. Bowling
University of Utah
Benjamin Fasoli
University of Utah
Richard P. Fiorella
University of Utah
Alexander A. Jacques
University of Utah
Daniel L. Mendoza
University of Utah
Logan E. Mitchell
University of Utah

Abstract

The Jordan River Basin, and its seven sub-catchments of the Central Wasatch Mountains immediately east of Salt Lake City, UT, are home to an array of research infrastructrure that collectively form the Wasatch Environmental Observatory (WEO). Each sub-catchment is comprised of a wildland to urban land use gradient that spans an elevation range of over 2000 m in a linear distance of ~25km. Geology varies across the sub-catchments, ranging from granitic, intrusive to mixed sedimentary rocks in uplands that drain to the alluvial or colluvial sediments of the former Lake Bonneville. Vegetation varies by elevation, aspect, distance to stream channels, and land use.  The sharp elevation gradient results in a range of precipitation from 700 to 1200 mm/yr (roughly 2/3 as snow) and mean annual temperature from 3.5 o to 6.8o C. Spring snowmelt dominates annual discharge. Although climate is relatively similar across the catchments, annual water yield varies spatially by more than a factor of 3, ranging from 0.18 to 0.63. With historical strengths in ecohydrology, water supply, and social-ecological research, current infrastructure supports both basic and applied research in meteorology, climate, atmospheric chemistry, hydrology, ecology, biogeochemistry, resource management, sustainable systems, and urban redesign. Climate and discharge data span over a century for the seven sub-catchments of the larger basin. These data sets, combined with multiple decades of hydrochemistry, isotopes, ecological data sets, social survey data sets, and high-resolution LiDAR topography and vegetation structure, provide a baseline for long-term data collected by NEON, public agencies, and individual research projects. The combination of long-term data with active state of the art observing facilities allows WEO to serve as a unique natural laboratory for addressing research questions facing rapidly growing, seasonally snow-covered, semi-arid regions worldwide and an excellent facility for providing student education and research training.
02 Oct 2020Submitted to Hydrological Processes
05 Oct 2020Submission Checks Completed
05 Oct 2020Assigned to Editor
07 Oct 2020Reviewer(s) Assigned
08 Oct 2020Review(s) Completed, Editorial Evaluation Pending
08 Oct 2020Editorial Decision: Revise Minor
26 Oct 20201st Revision Received
27 Oct 2020Submission Checks Completed
27 Oct 2020Assigned to Editor
27 Oct 2020Reviewer(s) Assigned
25 Nov 2020Review(s) Completed, Editorial Evaluation Pending
04 Dec 2020Editorial Decision: Revise Major
25 Feb 20212nd Revision Received
26 Feb 2021Submission Checks Completed
26 Feb 2021Assigned to Editor
26 Feb 2021Reviewer(s) Assigned
03 Mar 2021Review(s) Completed, Editorial Evaluation Pending
12 Mar 2021Editorial Decision: Revise Major
20 Jul 20213rd Revision Received
21 Jul 2021Submission Checks Completed
21 Jul 2021Assigned to Editor
21 Jul 2021Reviewer(s) Assigned
21 Jul 2021Review(s) Completed, Editorial Evaluation Pending
02 Aug 2021Editorial Decision: Accept