Wilderness, Water Wilderness, Water and Climate and Climate

ChangeChange

Randy BramerRandy Bramer

USDA Office of the General CounselUSDA Office of the General Counsel

Golden, CO Golden, CO

June 12, 2008June 12, 2008

IssuesIssues

What are the What are the potential effects potential effects of climate of climate change on water?change on water?

How will these How will these changes affect changes affect wilderness?wilderness?

What can you What can you do?do?

Water Is A Scarce ResourceWater Is A Scarce Resource

Water Is A Scarce Resource Water Is A Scarce Resource In High DemandIn High Demand

““Today, in some areas Today, in some areas of the West, existing of the West, existing water supplies are, or water supplies are, or will be, inadequate to will be, inadequate to meet the water meet the water demands of people, demands of people, cities, farms, and the cities, farms, and the environment even environment even under normal water under normal water supply conditions.”supply conditions.”

U.S. Department of the Interior, U.S. Department of the Interior, “Water 2025: Preventing Crisis “Water 2025: Preventing Crisis and Conflict in the West” (2003)and Conflict in the West” (2003)

While the U.S. is relatively water rich, the western While the U.S. is relatively water rich, the western part of the nation -- where most National Forests part of the nation -- where most National Forests

are located -- is water poorare located -- is water poor..

Demand For Water Will IncreaseDemand For Water Will Increase

Population of the West has increased 50% in Population of the West has increased 50% in the last 20 years and is expected to increase the last 20 years and is expected to increase

another 300% by 2040. another 300% by 2040.

What are the Potential What are the Potential Impacts of Climate Change Impacts of Climate Change

on Water?on Water?

Climate ChangeClimate ChangeOverall temperatures in the Rockies — and around the world — are rising dramatically. The Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change reports that global mean surface temperature increased by 0.6 degrees Celsius (about 1 degree Fahrenheit) over the 20th century. In the Western Hemisphere, the warming was greater than in any other century for the last 1,000 years, and the 1990s were the warmest decade of the entire millennium. The IPCC, which issued its most recent assessment report in 2001, now predicts that global mean temperatures will rise anywhere from 1.5 to 5.8 degrees Celsius (2.5 to 10.4 degrees Fahrenheit) between 1990 and 2100 — a rate of warming very likely without precedent in the last 10,000 years.

Climate Change and Climate Change and WaterWater

““What do you really need to tell What do you really need to tell people about climate change and people about climate change and water? It’s getting hotter. We’ll water? It’s getting hotter. We’ll get less snow. The snow will melt get less snow. The snow will melt earlier. That’s all you need to earlier. That’s all you need to say.”say.”

Climate Change - Effects on Southwest Water Climate Change - Effects on Southwest Water Resources, Resources, Southwest HydrologySouthwest Hydrology , January/ , January/ February 2007February 2007

Climate Change & Water - The Global Climate Change & Water - The Global PicturePicture

Climate change means that Climate change means that creeping deserts may creeping deserts may eventually drive 135 millioneventually drive 135 millionpeople off their land, the people off their land, the United Nations estimates. United Nations estimates. Most of them are in theMost of them are in thedeveloping world. But developing world. But Southern Europe is Southern Europe is experiencing the problem experiencing the problem now, its climate drying to now, its climate drying to

the the point that it is becoming point that it is becoming

more more like Africa’s, scientists say. like Africa’s, scientists say.

In Spain, Water Is a New In Spain, Water Is a New Battleground, NY Times, Battleground, NY Times, June 3, June 3, 20082008

Water Is Likely to Get Scarcer Due Water Is Likely to Get Scarcer Due to Climate Change – North to Climate Change – North

AmericaAmerica TThe Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change he Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change

concludes that concludes that climate change will strain many of climate change will strain many of North America’s water resourcesNorth America’s water resources,, increasing the increasing the competition for water.competition for water. A warmer climate will A warmer climate will affect the seasonable availability of affect the seasonable availability of

water by increasing evaporation and reducing snowpackswater by increasing evaporation and reducing snowpacks.. The Columbia River and other heavily used water systems The Columbia River and other heavily used water systems

of western North America are expected to be particularly of western North America are expected to be particularly vulnerable. vulnerable.

Groundwater-based systems in the Southwest are also Groundwater-based systems in the Southwest are also likely to be stressed by climate change. likely to be stressed by climate change.

Heavier precipitation will very likely increase waterborne Heavier precipitation will very likely increase waterborne diseases and affect water quality, and higher variability of diseases and affect water quality, and higher variability of precipitation will make water management more difficult.precipitation will make water management more difficult.

Possible Water Resources Impacts in North America, Climate Change – Health andPossible Water Resources Impacts in North America, Climate Change – Health andEnvironmental Effects, Environmental Effects, EPA, December 20, 2007 EPA, December 20, 2007

More heatMore heat Smaller snowpacksSmaller snowpacks Earlier snowmeltEarlier snowmelt More evaporation and drynessMore evaporation and dryness More flood-control releasesMore flood-control releases Less groundwaterLess groundwater More legal restrictionsMore legal restrictions More droughtsMore droughts

Less Snow, Less Water: Climate Disruption in the West, Less Snow, Less Water: Climate Disruption in the West, September 2005, Stephen Saunders and Maureen Maxwell, The September 2005, Stephen Saunders and Maureen Maxwell, The Rocky Mountain Climate Organization.Rocky Mountain Climate Organization.

Impacts of Climate Change on Impacts of Climate Change on WaterWater

in the Westin the West

West and SouthwestWest and Southwest Likely reduction in snowpacks and Likely reduction in snowpacks and

seasonal shifts in runoff patterns seasonal shifts in runoff patterns Possible declines in groundwater recharge Possible declines in groundwater recharge

- reduced water supplies - reduced water supplies Increased water temperatures - further Increased water temperatures - further

stress on aquatic species stress on aquatic species Increased frequency of intense Increased frequency of intense

precipitation events - increased risk of precipitation events - increased risk of flash floods flash floods

Possible summer salinity increase in San Possible summer salinity increase in San Francisco Bay and Sacramento/San Francisco Bay and Sacramento/San Joaquin Delta Joaquin Delta

Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change, 2001, 2007Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change, 2001, 2007

Portage GlacierPortage Glacier

1914 2004

AlaskaAlaska

Photos: NOAA Photo Collection and Gary Braasch – WorldViewOfGlobalWarming.org

The entire Jackson-Blackfoot Glacier Basin in Glacier The entire Jackson-Blackfoot Glacier Basin in Glacier National Park was covered in a single glacier as recently as National Park was covered in a single glacier as recently as 1920. 1920.

Scientists predict both will be gone by 2030.Scientists predict both will be gone by 2030.

“Climate change has been linked to declining snowpacks, retreating glaciers, and changing patterns of precipitation and runoff. The evidence shows that we are entering a period of water scarcity not seen in our history. The national forests were created in part for ‘securing favorable conditions of water flows,’ the importance of which has grown as populations have grown. We can make a difference by managing national forests and grasslands to restore ecological processes and functions that support clean and healthy streams, lakes, and aquifers.”

—Forest Service Chief Gail Kimbell

The New War?The New War?

The battles of yesterday were fought overThe battles of yesterday were fought over

land…. Those of the present centerland…. Those of the present center

on oil. But those of the future — a futureon oil. But those of the future — a future

made hotter and drier by climate change in made hotter and drier by climate change in muchmuch

of the world — seem likely to focus on of the world — seem likely to focus on water….water….

In Spain, Water Is a New BattlegroundIn Spain, Water Is a New Battleground, , NY NY

Times, Times, June 3, 2008June 3, 2008

How Might Climate Change How Might Climate Change Affect Wilderness?Affect Wilderness?

The change that is having the biggest and The change that is having the biggest and most obvious biological impact is the most obvious biological impact is the early early arrival of springarrival of spring. This could cause entire . This could cause entire ecosystems to become unbalanced if species ecosystems to become unbalanced if species respond to the warmer weather at different respond to the warmer weather at different rates. rates.

Worldwide, effects were also apparent in the Worldwide, effects were also apparent in the ecosystems of oceans, lakes and rivers. ecosystems of oceans, lakes and rivers. Changes to the migration patterns of fish Changes to the migration patterns of fish have led to them invading waters that were have led to them invading waters that were once too cold. once too cold.

Other important impacts include an Other important impacts include an increase in the extent of forest fires each increase in the extent of forest fires each year in Canada.year in Canada.

NatureNature 453453, 353-357 (15 May 2008 ), 353-357 (15 May 2008 )

““By mid-century, the main pulse of the spring snowmelt By mid-century, the main pulse of the spring snowmelt runoff in the Upper Colorado River Basin is expected to runoff in the Upper Colorado River Basin is expected to come approximately two weeks earlier than at the present. come approximately two weeks earlier than at the present. By the end of the century, snowmelt runoff is expected By the end of the century, snowmelt runoff is expected four weeks earlier in virtually all of the six southwestern four weeks earlier in virtually all of the six southwestern states.states. Run off is also expected to decrease, in part due to Run off is also expected to decrease, in part due to higher evaporation rates that come with higher higher evaporation rates that come with higher temperatures.”temperatures.”Climate Change - Effects on Southwest Water Resources, Climate Change - Effects on Southwest Water Resources, Southwest HydrologySouthwest Hydrology , January/ , January/ February 2007February 2007

Impacts on High Alpine Impacts on High Alpine VegetationVegetation

Climate change could make major Climate change could make major changes in the character of our changes in the character of our mountains and in the abundance and mountains and in the abundance and variety of life they support. variety of life they support.

The Rocky Mountains' famous The Rocky Mountains' famous wildflowers, meadows, and expanses of wildflowers, meadows, and expanses of mountain-top tundra could all be greatly mountain-top tundra could all be greatly reduced, or perhaps almost vanish, as a reduced, or perhaps almost vanish, as a result of climate change. So could many result of climate change. So could many alpine species of animals and plants.alpine species of animals and plants.

““We're projecting, We're projecting, from these from these experiments, there's experiments, there's going to be a going to be a tremendous decline in tremendous decline in the abundance of the the abundance of the flowers. You think of flowers. You think of meadows strewn with meadows strewn with gorgeous flowers. gorgeous flowers. Many of those Many of those flowering plants are flowering plants are going to be going to be decimated.'‘decimated.'‘

Dr. John Harte, Professor of Dr. John Harte, Professor of Environmental Science Environmental Science

““Some ecosystems that are Some ecosystems that are already constrained by already constrained by climate, such as alpine climate, such as alpine meadows in the Rocky meadows in the Rocky

Mountains, are likely to Mountains, are likely to face extreme stress, and face extreme stress, and

disappear entirely in some disappear entirely in some places.” places.”

Climate Change Impacts on the Climate Change Impacts on the United States (2000)United States (2000)

           

        

Impacts on TreesImpacts on Trees Under most climate-Under most climate-

change scenarios, change scenarios, forest types are forest types are predicted to shift predicted to shift uphill, implying that uphill, implying that the forest that the forest that regenerates after a regenerates after a modern-day beetle modern-day beetle kill may look very kill may look very different from the different from the one that came before one that came before it. it.

For a forest, climate change means two things -- bigger For a forest, climate change means two things -- bigger fires,fires,

and lots more of them. and lots more of them.

““High-elevation forests will have a tough time coming High-elevation forests will have a tough time coming back if back if

they burn,” Cronn says. “The conditions necessary for they burn,” Cronn says. “The conditions necessary for seedling survival just aren’t there.” That means unlessseedling survival just aren’t there.” That means unlesssomething unforeseen happens, something unforeseen happens, the entire high-country the entire high-country ecosystem in the West is going to undergo radical ecosystem in the West is going to undergo radical

change, change, including the dislocation of thousands of wildlife including the dislocation of thousands of wildlife

species forspecies forwhom these forests are home.whom these forests are home. If and when the island If and when the island

forests offorests ofConifers are lost to fire, they’re not going to reseed. Conifers are lost to fire, they’re not going to reseed. Grasslands will quickly move up in elevation and take Grasslands will quickly move up in elevation and take

over. over.

Devanter, P.,Devanter, P., High Country News, High Country News, September 24, 2007 September 24, 2007

The White Bark PineThe White Bark Pine Whitebark pines form Whitebark pines form

the roofbeam of our the roofbeam of our mountain landscapes.mountain landscapes.

In the past it was too In the past it was too cold for mountain cold for mountain pine beetles to survive pine beetles to survive at higher elevations.at higher elevations.

When temperatures When temperatures are increased by as are increased by as little as two degree little as two degree Celsius the beetles Celsius the beetles have been found to have been found to race thorugh a one race thorugh a one year life cycle at year life cycle at higher elevations. higher elevations.

Impacts on Animals – The Impacts on Animals – The AmphibiansAmphibians

Researchers looked at amphibian survey Researchers looked at amphibian survey records from about 50 different sites in Central records from about 50 different sites in Central and South America, charting the timing of and South America, charting the timing of extinction for about 70 different species of extinction for about 70 different species of harlequin frogs. They found that these harlequin frogs. They found that these disappearances occurred in lockstep with disappearances occurred in lockstep with warming global temperatures. warming global temperatures.

"Disease is the bullet killing frogs, but climate "Disease is the bullet killing frogs, but climate change is pulling the trigger," ecologist Alan change is pulling the trigger," ecologist Alan Pounds Pounds

Biologists have long argued that amphibians, Biologists have long argued that amphibians, with their delicate, porous skins, are the with their delicate, porous skins, are the proverbial canaries in the coal mine, the species proverbial canaries in the coal mine, the species most sensitive to global environmental change.most sensitive to global environmental change.

Climate Change is Pulling the Trigger, High Country Climate Change is Pulling the Trigger, High Country News,News, January 23, 2006 January 23, 2006

Impacts on AnimalsImpacts on Animals

Pika, a cool-Pika, a cool-weather-weather-loving loving mountain mountain rodent, is rodent, is vanishing vanishing from the from the Sierra Sierra Nevada Nevada

Natural Preservation and Natural Preservation and Global WarmingGlobal Warming

““In the age of global warming, In the age of global warming, public-land managers face a stark public-land managers face a stark choice: They can let national parks choice: They can let national parks and other wildlands lose their most and other wildlands lose their most cherished wildlife. Or they can cherished wildlife. Or they can become gardeners and become gardeners and zookeepers.” zookeepers.”

Unnatural Preservation, High Country NewsUnnatural Preservation, High Country News, , February 4, 2008February 4, 2008

The Choices?The Choices?

Do we rush to rescue climate-Do we rush to rescue climate-imperiled species before it's too imperiled species before it's too late? or late? or

Do we let nature take its course, Do we let nature take its course, quietly watching the disappearance quietly watching the disappearance of species that we have spent of species that we have spent decades restoring and protecting?decades restoring and protecting?

Unnatural Preservation, High Country NewsUnnatural Preservation, High Country News, , February 4, 2008February 4, 2008

““So professional preservationists, and the environmental So professional preservationists, and the environmental movement as a whole, are left with unnatural choices: Theymovement as a whole, are left with unnatural choices: Theycan intervene aggressively to maintain habitat threatened can intervene aggressively to maintain habitat threatened

bybyplanetary warming installing sprinkler systems aroundplanetary warming installing sprinkler systems aroundCalifornia's giant sequoias, to name one suggestion floated California's giant sequoias, to name one suggestion floated

by by scientists. In the process they would become something akinscientists. In the process they would become something akinto farmers and pet fanciers. They can intervene aggressively to farmers and pet fanciers. They can intervene aggressively

to to provide huge migration paths northward for heat-threatened provide huge migration paths northward for heat-threatened plants and animals. Because this would require them to helpplants and animals. Because this would require them to helpdramatically change existing ecosystems, it would turn thedramatically change existing ecosystems, it would turn thecurrent conservation ethic on its head. Or they can decide to current conservation ethic on its head. Or they can decide to continue to use the traditional hands-off approach - and continue to use the traditional hands-off approach - and thereby allow millennia old ecosystems to die off and bethereby allow millennia old ecosystems to die off and bereplaced in ways that would never have happened naturally, replaced in ways that would never have happened naturally,

if if not for global warming.” not for global warming.”

Unnatural Preservation, High Country NewsUnnatural Preservation, High Country News, February 4, , February 4, 20082008

How Will Climate Change Affect How Will Climate Change Affect Water Uses In Wilderness?Water Uses In Wilderness?

ImpactsImpacts

Climate change is likely to decrease Climate change is likely to decrease water quantitywater quantity due to decreased due to decreased snowpacks and seasonal shifts in snowpacks and seasonal shifts in runoff patterns and possible declines runoff patterns and possible declines in groundwater recharge resulting in in groundwater recharge resulting in reduced water supplies.reduced water supplies.

Climate change will also impact Climate change will also impact water water quality quality through increased water through increased water temperatures and increased rainfall.temperatures and increased rainfall.

Impacts on Water Impacts on Water AllocationAllocation

Competition for the use of limited and Competition for the use of limited and declining water resources in the West declining water resources in the West continues to increase. This competition continues to increase. This competition will likely increase as climate change will likely increase as climate change continues. continues.

With this increased competition and a With this increased competition and a corresponding increase in administrative corresponding increase in administrative enforcement by States, there is likely to enforcement by States, there is likely to be more pressure for water removal from be more pressure for water removal from federal lands on or near wildernessfederal lands on or near wilderness

Decreased water availability and changes Decreased water availability and changes in the seasonal availability of water will in the seasonal availability of water will directly affect how these water rights are directly affect how these water rights are defined and subsequently administered.defined and subsequently administered.

Impacts on Uses of Water Impacts on Uses of Water in or Near Wildernessin or Near Wilderness

Ski AreasSki Areas There will likely be There will likely be

an increase in an increase in requests for requests for snowmaking on snowmaking on NFS land. Water NFS land. Water for these uses may for these uses may come from NFS come from NFS land adjacent to land adjacent to wildernesseswildernesses..

RecreationRecreation

Potential increases in Potential increases in camping, hiking, and camping, hiking, and fishing would draw fishing would draw different outdoor different outdoor recreation enthusiasts to recreation enthusiasts to the area and those the area and those activities might be activities might be available for a longer available for a longer period of time during the period of time during the year.year.

US National Assessment of the Potential US National Assessment of the Potential Consequences of Climate Variability and Change Consequences of Climate Variability and Change Educational Resources Educational Resources Regional Paper: Rocky Regional Paper: Rocky Mountain /Great Basin Region, US Climate Mountain /Great Basin Region, US Climate Change Science Program / US Global Change Change Science Program / US Global Change Research ProgramResearch Program

Impacts on Grazing Impacts on Grazing

Changes in Changes in availability of availability of water and timing water and timing of runoff caused of runoff caused by climate change by climate change may change the may change the locations of locations of allotments as well allotments as well as the season of as the season of use. use.

““The snow pack is The snow pack is our major reservoir, our major reservoir, and we don’t have and we don’t have artificial reservoirs artificial reservoirs sufficient in size to sufficient in size to manage it in a way manage it in a way that nature that nature manages it for us”manages it for us”

Kathleen Miller, National Center Kathleen Miller, National Center for Atmospheric Research and for Atmospheric Research and author of the book “author of the book “Climate Climate Change and Water Resources: A Change and Water Resources: A primer for Municipal Water primer for Municipal Water Providers”.Providers”.

Impacts on Water Storage Impacts on Water Storage FacilitiesFacilities

Impacts on Water Storage Impacts on Water Storage FacilitiesFacilities

Overall, temperature increases are Overall, temperature increases are expected to decrease the ability of our expected to decrease the ability of our mountain “water towers” to reliably mountain “water towers” to reliably deliver water in the quantities we have deliver water in the quantities we have come to expect and when we need it come to expect and when we need it most.most.

Climate Change - Effects on Southwest Water Resources, Climate Change - Effects on Southwest Water Resources, Southwest HydrologySouthwest Hydrology , January/ February 2007 , January/ February 2007

Water StorageWater Storage

Likely to be Likely to be increased increased pressure to pressure to store and store and divert more divert more water in water in existing existing facilities.facilities.

Case Study: Emerald LakeCase Study: Emerald Lake

Colorado WildernessColorado Wilderness

Emerald LakeEmerald Lake

Second largest Second largest natural lake in natural lake in Colorado.Colorado.

Over 10, 000 feet in Over 10, 000 feet in elevation. elevation.

Completely within Completely within the Weminuche the Weminuche Wilderness.Wilderness.

Emerald Lake

An irrigation An irrigation district is district is proposing to proposing to build a dam and build a dam and reservoir on reservoir on Emerald Lake. Emerald Lake.

Must show: Must show: authorization to authorization to

occupy NFS landoccupy NFS land right of accessright of access water rightwater right

The Wilderness Act and The Wilderness Act and ReservoirsReservoirs

(4) Water resources, reservoirs, and other (4) Water resources, reservoirs, and other facilities; grazing. facilities; grazing. Within wilderness areas Within wilderness areas in the national forests designated by this in the national forests designated by this chapter, (1) the chapter, (1) the President mayPresident may, within a , within a specific area and in accordance with such specific area and in accordance with such regulations as he may deem desirable, regulations as he may deem desirable, authorizeauthorize prospecting for water resources, prospecting for water resources, the establishment and maintenance of the establishment and maintenance of reservoirsreservoirs, water-conservation works, power , water-conservation works, power projects, transmission lines, and other facilities projects, transmission lines, and other facilities needed in the public interestneeded in the public interest, including the , including the road construction and maintenance essential to road construction and maintenance essential to development and use thereof, upon his development and use thereof, upon his determination that such use or uses in the determination that such use or uses in the specific area will better serve the interests of specific area will better serve the interests of the United States and the people thereof than the United States and the people thereof than will its denial... 16 USC 1133 (4)(a). will its denial... 16 USC 1133 (4)(a).

Emerald LakeEmerald Lake Small dam Small dam

constructed in 1895-constructed in 1895-96 & maintained until 96 & maintained until 1930’s.1930’s.

Dam fell into disrepair Dam fell into disrepair & abandoned .& abandoned .

If authorization were If authorization were found to be valid found to be valid under the 1891 Act, under the 1891 Act, FS may have to FS may have to provide access as “the provide access as “the Secretary deems Secretary deems adequate to secure to adequate to secure to the owner the the owner the reasonable use and reasonable use and enjoyment” of its right enjoyment” of its right of way. of way.

What are the Scientists What are the Scientists Doing in Wilderness Areas?Doing in Wilderness Areas?

What are the Scientists What are the Scientists Doing in Wilderness Areas?Doing in Wilderness Areas?

Looking at long term changes in Looking at long term changes in wilderness lake chemistry wilderness lake chemistry

Monitor ozone at high elevation in Monitor ozone at high elevation in Colorado near wildernesses. Colorado near wildernesses.

Examining spatial variability in Examining spatial variability in wilderness lake chemistrywilderness lake chemistry

Water chemistry of high elevation Water chemistry of high elevation Colorado wilderness lakesColorado wilderness lakes

Robert C. Musselman* and William L. Slauson, Biogeochemistry Robert C. Musselman* and William L. Slauson, Biogeochemistry 71: 387–414, 2004.71: 387–414, 2004.

What Can Wilderness Staff What Can Wilderness Staff Do?Do?

The Need for Field DataThe Need for Field Data Although there are reams of conclusive Although there are reams of conclusive

science on the “whether” of global science on the “whether” of global warming—it is definitely occurring—warming—it is definitely occurring—there’s very little precise information on there’s very little precise information on when, and where, and what will happen when, and where, and what will happen next….Such science is scarce…And next….Such science is scarce…And though there’s been vast observational though there’s been vast observational research on the effects of global warming, research on the effects of global warming, there’s not much experiment-derived there’s not much experiment-derived knowledge about what a warmer planet knowledge about what a warmer planet will do to particular habitats will do to particular habitats

Unnatural Preservation, Missoula Unnatural Preservation, Missoula IndependentIndependent , May 15 2008 , May 15 2008

Importance of Field DataImportance of Field Data

Field observations are most valuable Field observations are most valuable from wilderness rangers that have from wilderness rangers that have made these observations for many made these observations for many years, or perhaps they can talk to years, or perhaps they can talk to old-timers on the trails who might old-timers on the trails who might have observations on these points.have observations on these points.

Take notes and photographs. Take notes and photographs.

Monitor FlowsMonitor Flows Some mountain Some mountain

streams stop flowing streams stop flowing mid-late summer mid-late summer when snowmelt when snowmelt ceases, and how early ceases, and how early in the season this in the season this happens is important. happens is important.

Write down and Write down and photograph any photograph any observations on observations on changes in baseline changes in baseline flow (lowest flow of flow (lowest flow of the year, usually the year, usually Sept). Sept).

Monitor SnowmeltMonitor Snowmelt Researchers Researchers

believe that believe that snowmelt is snowmelt is beginning sooner beginning sooner and happening and happening more quickly.more quickly.

Field Field observations on observations on when snowmelt when snowmelt begins and ends begins and ends would bewould be useful. useful.

Monitor SnowfieldsMonitor Snowfields Researchers believe Researchers believe

that some that some snowfields that have snowfields that have not been melted out not been melted out completely for completely for decades may now be decades may now be melting. melting.

Look for minimum Look for minimum size of permanent size of permanent snowfields and keep snowfields and keep records including records including photographs from photographs from year to year. year to year.

Monitor Lake Ice-Out Monitor Lake Ice-Out and Freeze Upand Freeze Up

Identification and Identification and documentation of documentation of the date of ice-out the date of ice-out and freeze up of and freeze up of wilderness lakes wilderness lakes is also important. is also important.

A 15-20 year A 15-20 year record of these record of these dates is extremely dates is extremely valuable. valuable.

Help the Researchers in the Help the Researchers in the FieldField

Collect water Collect water samples of selected samples of selected wilderness lakes wilderness lakes for long term for long term monitoring of monitoring of water chemistry of water chemistry of these lakes.these lakes.

Monitor ozone at Monitor ozone at high elevation in high elevation in Colorado near Colorado near wildernesses.wildernesses.

ConclusionConclusion

Climate change is ongoing and is Climate change is ongoing and is likely to affect water in wilderness. likely to affect water in wilderness.

Given the likelihood of decreased Given the likelihood of decreased water availability as time progresses water availability as time progresses wilderness staff needs to: wilderness staff needs to: Monitor changes in ecological Monitor changes in ecological

conditions through field visits.conditions through field visits. Assist in researchers conducting Assist in researchers conducting

studies concerning effects of studies concerning effects of climate change.climate change.