WELCOME

The Crown of the Continent WATERS test bed is an interactive science community united in the study of snow-melt dominated systems. Discharge in hydrologic systems controlled by snowmelt contributes greater than half the freshwater resources available to the western United States. Thus, study of these mountainous areas and the processes influencing the spatial and temporal distribution of snow-melt necessitates detailed study. Climate changes place an increased importance on our understanding of snow-melt mechanics and distribution as snowmelt dominated areas are sensitive to such variations. The Crown of the Continent (COTC) site is a well-suited environment for study of snow-melt processes and influences due to its high relief accommodation of multiple climate zones. Our current research is focused on linking the timing and spatial distribution of snow-melt runoff.

Examples of current research include:
• Active study of discharge in high mountain catchments
• Development of a spatially distributed snow-melt model as well as a synthetic snow-melt model
• Analysis of Snow Telemetry (SNOTEL) stations
• Statistical analysis of historical discharge curves
• Monitoring and mass balance studies of a small, mountain glacier

The COTC WATERS network test bed is one of 11 sites in the larger WATERS network. This network is associated with the CUAHSI Hydrologic Information System program. Learn more about CUAHSI here.

The COTC encompasses the 22,515 km² Flathead Basin located in northwestern Montana. This hydrologic landscape is diverse and includes large pristine watersheds, rapidly developing intermountain valleys, a 95 km2 regulated reservoir and 510 km² lake. The basin has topographic relief of over 2,339 m, and spans high alpine to arid climatic zones and a range of biomes.

Rivers flow from a triple divide within the hydrologic observatory to the Pacific Ocean, Gulf of Mexico, and Hudson Bay – hence the name Crown of the Continent.