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Site Overview Observations Site Map Papers Data
Basin / Site Name
Nelson - Saskatchewan River Basin
Country; Province/State
Canada
Website
https://research-groups.usask.ca/hydrology/index.php
Operational Management
Centre for Hydrology, University of Saskatchewan
Abstract
Marmot Creek feeds the Kananaskis River and the Bow River system from the Rocky Mountains, Alberta. Its area is 14 km² and it is primarily covered with montane and subalpine forest with alpine tundra ridgetops. The basin has seasonally frozen soils. The basin has been subject to intensive hydrometeorological studies since the International Hydrological Decade. It has 8 permanent meteorological stations at elevations from 1450 m to 2500 m collecting precipitation, snow depth, soil moisture, soil temperature, short and longwave radiation, air temperature, humidity, wind speed, and turbulent fluxes of heat and water vapour. Observations of groundwater levels and streamflow are made by the federal and provincial governments.
Oversight/Contacts
NameRoleContact Information
John Pomeroy
Site PI
john.pomeroy@usask.ca
Sean Carey
Project PI
Xing (Logan) Fang
Researcher, Data Manager
Hannah Koslowsky
Technician
Lindsey Langs
Technician
Kieran Lehan
Technician
Basin / Site Location (Centroid Coordinates)
Coordinate Format
Latitude
Longitude
Degrees Minutes Seconds
50° 57' 40.536" N
115° 11' 22.632" W
Decimal Degrees
50.96126
-115.18962
Purpose / Scientific Focus
Marmot Creek Research Basin was established as an experimental basin in 1962 by the Governments of Canada and Alberta, as part of the International Hydrological Decade. It became an outdoor research laboratory to investigate the principles of mountain hydrology and the influences of forest management on streamflow generation, under the leadership of the Canadian Forestry Service. This program was closed down in 1986, on development of the Nakiska Ski Resort. In 2005, the basin was reactivated by the University of Saskatchewan, University of Calgary and Environment Canada: since then it has supported a wide variety of research in process hydrology, climatology, ecohydrology and hydrological modelling, underpinning the next generation of models and forest-management strategies. The Coldwater Laboratory was established in 2009 at the nearby University of Calgary Barrier Lake Field Station, to maintain and develop research momentum in the basin. With its long-term records of high altitude streamflow, precipitation, snowpack, groundwater, vegetation and mountain meteorology observations, it continues to provide a unique asset to support the improved understanding of environmental change in the Canadian Rockies. Projects currently focus on mountain snow processes, hydrochemistry, hydrological and hydrogeological modelling (including analysis of hydro-climatic trends and sensitivity to climate change), and the hydrological impacts of changes in forest cover. See also https://research-groups.usask.ca/hydrology/science/research-facilities/marmot-basin.php
Location (Physiographic Region)
Area (km2)
9.4 km²
Elevation (m; Mean, Maximum, Minimum)
1,590 - 2,829 m a.s.l.
Description (Physical–Ecological–Climatic Characteristics)
Drainage / River System
Site History or Historical Context
Years of Data
Glacierized Area (% and year(s) measured)
0%
Main Land Cover(s)
Montane, subalpine, alpine
Lithology / Soils
Conglomerate, sandstones, shales, siltstones
J F M A M J J A S O N D A
Mean Monthly and Annual Temperature (°C)
-8.3°C (2325 m.a.s.l.), -7.3 °C (1845 m.a.s.l.), -5.6°C (1436 m.a.s.l.
J F M A M J J A S O N D A
Mean Total Monthly and Annual Precipitation (mm)
279 mm (2325 m.a.s.l.), 147 mm (1845 m.a.s.l.), 107 mm (1436 m.a.s.l.)
Snow Characteristics
cold continental, deep
Additional Noteworthy Characteristics of Basin/Site
Observation Stations
TypeStation NameLatitudeLongitudeElevationNotes / Details
Meteorological
All stations (see Site Map)
Meteorological Variables and Sensor Details
VariableStation NameSensor(s)Height / Depth (m)Record PeriodMeasurement FrequencyNotes / Details
T
All AWS
Vaisala
RH
" "
Vaisala
K in
" "
Kipp&Zonen, Apogee CS300-L, Li-cor LI200s
K out
" "
Kipp&Zonen, Apogee CS300-L, Li-cor LI200s
L in
" "
Kipp&Zonen
L out
" "
Kipp&Zonen
Net Radiometer
" "
Kipp&Zonen
Wind Speed
" "
RM Young 05305-10, RM Young 05105-10, Met One 50.5, 3-cup anemometer
Wind Direction
" "
RM Young 05305-10, RM Young 05105-10, Met One 50.5
Precipitation
" "
Geonor T200B gauge with alter shield, Texas TE525M rain gauge, Hydrological Services TB4 tippring bucket rain gauge
Pressure
" "
BP61025V pressure sensor, Vaisala CS106 barometric pressure sensor
Additional Notes and Details on Meteorological Observations
7 main automatic weather stations with additional weather stations in a small forest clearing measuring -Air t, -RH, -snow depth, -soil t, -moisture, and -electric conductivity for the shorter period than that from the main AWS
Hydrological Variables and Sensor Details
VariableStation NameSensor(s)Height / Depth (m)Record PeriodMeasurement FrequencyNotes / Details
Water Level
Solinst Levelogger
Discharge Method

Basin discharge
-1962 to 19 June 2013 measured by Water Survey of Canada at V-notch gauge (05BF016);
-from 26 June 2013 to current, basin discharge
Water Temperature
Solinst Levelogger
Isotope Types (e.g., O18, D, T)
N/A
Water Conductivity
N/A
Turbidity
N/A
Sediment Load (Gravels)
N/A
Water Sampling Hydrogeochemistry (Elements)
N/A
Groundwater Level
Yes, Groundwater Observation Well Network from Alberta Environment and Parks
Soil Moisture
Yes, CS615 and CS616 soil moisture probes
Other Hydrological and Cryospheric Measurements and Observations
MeasurementInstrumentation DescriptionSpatial / Temporal Resolution and CoverageNotes / Details
Terrestrial Laser Scanner
Yes, at a forest clearing for 2013-2014 field season
N/A
UAV Sensors
2019 operations in past near Upper Clearing (additional permitting challenges limits flexibility)
N/A
Snow Surveys
Yes, several manual snow survey transects located in and above alpine treeline, in subalpine forest, forest clearings, and valley bottom
N/A
Time-lapse Photographs
Yes
SWE Instruments, Pillows
Sommer Snow Pack Analyzer (SPA)
every 15 minutes
Snow Depth
CS SR50
every 15 minutes
Soil Temperature
CS 107 thermistor, Type K Thermocouple, Stevens HydraProbe
Surface Temperature
IRTC homemade sensor
Eddy Covariance
No
Ice Elevation
N/A
N/A
Debris Covered Ice Elevation
N/A
N/A
Glacier Mass Balance
N/A
N/A
Glacier Ice Thickness
N/A
N/A
Modelling (Model Applications, Purpose, Advancements, etc.)
CRHM (Cold Regions Hydrological Model) Vegetation Map Forest cover type map from Alberta Forest Service (1963), SPOT5 (July 2007) Soil Map No Soil Depth Information Yes Digital Elevation Map (and Spatial Resolution) Yes, 1 m Lidar and 8 m resampled Lidar
Map of Site
Map Not Available
Display
View on Global Map
Publications (Key Papers, Articles/Media, etc.)
https://essd.copernicus.org/articles/11/455/2019/
Datasets and Real-time Data Feeds
Data Centre Postings
Other Datasets and Real-time Data Feeds
Datasets: https://gwfnet.net/Metadata/Index/T-2024-11-28-x1vT4gVX6nUqZKPphXj7x18A Real-time Data: Centennial Ridge: http://giws1.usask.ca/cfh/Marmot/Nakiskachart.html Upper Clearing: http://giws1.usask.ca/cfh/Marmot/UpperClearingchart.html Fisera Ridge: http://giws1.usask.ca/cfh/Marmot/Fiserachart.html Vista View: http://giws1.usask.ca/cfh/Marmot/VistaViewchart.html Hay Meadow: http://giws1.usask.ca/cfh/Marmot/HayMeadowchart.html
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