The Sleepers River Research Watershed in Danville, Vermont has been the site of active hydrologic research since 1959, when the Agricultural Research Service (ARS) of the U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) established a research program in the watershed. The Sleepers River site is now operated by the USGS, in cooperation with several other Federal agencies and universities.
Early studies by Thomas Dunne and Richard Black of the USDA ARS demonstrated the importance and controls of saturation‐excess overland flow on streamflow generation. These early studies helped to guide subsequent methods of hydrologic research in the watershed, which have evolved considerably since the early studies. For example, the early studies relied exclusively on hydrometric measurements, wheras today’s studies also include chemical and isotopic approaches to elucidate streamflow generation processes.
Application of these new approaches has advanced our hydrologic understanding in several ways, including: (1) confirmation of the importance of saturation‐excess overland flow to streamflow generation, and at larger scales than first imagined; (2) the realization that stored catchment water dominates stream response under most circumstances; (3) the finding that hydrometric, chemical and isotopic approaches to hydrograph separation yield consistent and complementary results; and (4) the insight that nitrate and sulfate isotopic compositions specific to atmospheric inputs constrain new water contributions to streamflow.

Currently, an important focus for research at Sleepers River is stream transport (lateral transfer) of carbon, which remains a poorly understood flux within the global carbon budget. We are seeking to refine our understanding of both the provenance and transformations of dissolved organic matter (DOM) as it moves from mountains to the sea. It is important to quantify shifts in carbon quality with increasing stream order (for example, during downstream transport from Sleepers River to larger streams and ultimately to the Connecticut River and Long Island Sound). Advances in sensor technologies and computational capacity have made forecasting of DOM (as well as phosphorus and nitrogen) fluxes possible. Our research aims to better understand these fluxes across scales and to develop predictive capability to provide early warning to resource managers when adverse conditions are developing.
Below are data or web applications associated with this project.
Soil Frost at Sleepers River Research Watershed, Danville, Vermont
Snow Depth and Snow Water Equivalents at Sleepers River Research Watershed, Danville, Vermont
Below are publications associated with this project.
Water's Way at Sleepers River watershed – revisiting flow generation in a post-glacial landscape, Vermont USA
Identifying sources of stream water sulfate after a summer drought in the Sleepers River watershed (Vermont, USA) using hydrological, chemical, and isotopic techniques
Tracing sources of streamwater sulfate during snowmelt using S and O isotope ratios of sulfate and 35S activity
A biogeochemical comparison of two well-buffered catchments with contrasting histories of acid deposition
Sleepers River, Vermont: a Water, Energy, and Biogeochemical Budgets Program site
The effect of frozen soil on snowmelt runoff at Sleepers River, Vermont
Cross-well slug testing in unconfined aquifers: A case study from the Sleepers River Watershed, Vermont
Level II scour analysis for Bridge 27 (STJOTH00080027) on Town Highway 8, crossing the Sleepers River, St. Johnsbury, Vermont
Water, energy, and biogeochemical budget research at Sleepers River Research Watershed, Vermont
- Overview
The Sleepers River Research Watershed in Danville, Vermont has been the site of active hydrologic research since 1959, when the Agricultural Research Service (ARS) of the U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) established a research program in the watershed. The Sleepers River site is now operated by the USGS, in cooperation with several other Federal agencies and universities.
Early studies by Thomas Dunne and Richard Black of the USDA ARS demonstrated the importance and controls of saturation‐excess overland flow on streamflow generation. These early studies helped to guide subsequent methods of hydrologic research in the watershed, which have evolved considerably since the early studies. For example, the early studies relied exclusively on hydrometric measurements, wheras today’s studies also include chemical and isotopic approaches to elucidate streamflow generation processes.
Application of these new approaches has advanced our hydrologic understanding in several ways, including: (1) confirmation of the importance of saturation‐excess overland flow to streamflow generation, and at larger scales than first imagined; (2) the realization that stored catchment water dominates stream response under most circumstances; (3) the finding that hydrometric, chemical and isotopic approaches to hydrograph separation yield consistent and complementary results; and (4) the insight that nitrate and sulfate isotopic compositions specific to atmospheric inputs constrain new water contributions to streamflow.
Sources/Usage: Some content may have restrictions. Visit Media to see details.The W-5 weir, USGS gage 01135300, Sleepers River near St. Johnsbury, at the Sleepers River Research Watershed, Danville, Vermont, looking upstream from the weir during an early snowmelt pulse. (Credit: Stephen Sebestyen, U.S. Forest Service) Currently, an important focus for research at Sleepers River is stream transport (lateral transfer) of carbon, which remains a poorly understood flux within the global carbon budget. We are seeking to refine our understanding of both the provenance and transformations of dissolved organic matter (DOM) as it moves from mountains to the sea. It is important to quantify shifts in carbon quality with increasing stream order (for example, during downstream transport from Sleepers River to larger streams and ultimately to the Connecticut River and Long Island Sound). Advances in sensor technologies and computational capacity have made forecasting of DOM (as well as phosphorus and nitrogen) fluxes possible. Our research aims to better understand these fluxes across scales and to develop predictive capability to provide early warning to resource managers when adverse conditions are developing.
- Data
Below are data or web applications associated with this project.
Soil Frost at Sleepers River Research Watershed, Danville, Vermont
Soil frost measurements have been made at Sleepers River Research Watershed starting in 1983. Measurements were made by U.S. Army Corps of Engineers Cold Regions Research and Engineering Laboratory from 1983 to 1993, followed by the U.S. Geological Survey from 1993 to the present. Measurements started at 5 sites and has increased to 10 sites. Sites range in elevation from 225 to 670 meters and areSnow Depth and Snow Water Equivalents at Sleepers River Research Watershed, Danville, Vermont
Snow depth and snow water equivalent (SWE) measurements have been made at Sleepers River Research Watershed starting in 1960. Initial snowpack measurements were made by the Agricultural Research Service joined by the National Weather Service in 1966. Cold Regions Research and Engineering Laboratory started measuring the snowpack in 1979, followed by the U.S. Geological Survey from 1993 to the pres - Multimedia
- Publications
Below are publications associated with this project.
Water's Way at Sleepers River watershed – revisiting flow generation in a post-glacial landscape, Vermont USA
The Sleepers River Research Watershed (SRRW) in Vermont, USA, has been the site of active hydrologic research since 1959 and was the setting where Dunne and Black demonstrated the importance and controls of saturation-excess overland flow (SOF) on streamflow generation. Here, we review the early studies from the SRRW and show how they guided our conceptual approach to hydrologic research at the SRAuthorsJames B. Shanley, Stephen D. Sebestyen, Jeffrey J. McDonnell, Brian L. McGlynn, Thomas DunneIdentifying sources of stream water sulfate after a summer drought in the Sleepers River watershed (Vermont, USA) using hydrological, chemical, and isotopic techniques
In many forested headwater catchments, peak SO42 - concentrations in stream water occur in the late summer or fall following drought potentially resulting in episodic stream acidification. The sources of highly elevated stream water SO42 - concentrations were investigated in a first order stream at the Sleepers River watershed (Vermont, USA) after the particularly dry summer of 2001 using a combinAuthorsB. Mayer, J. B. Shanley, S.W. Bailey, M.J. MitchellTracing sources of streamwater sulfate during snowmelt using S and O isotope ratios of sulfate and 35S activity
The biogeochemical cycling of sulfur (S) was studied during the 2000 snowmelt at Sleepers River Research Watershed in northeastern Vermont, USA using a hydrochemical and multi-isotope approach. The snowpack and 10 streams of varying size and land use were sampled for analysis of anions, dissolved organic carbon (DOC), 35S activity, and δ34S and δ18O values of sulfate. At one of the streams, δ18O vAuthorsJames B. Shanley, B. Mayer, M.J. Mitchell, Robert L. Michel, S.W. Bailey, Carol KendallA biogeochemical comparison of two well-buffered catchments with contrasting histories of acid deposition
Much of the biogeochemical cycling research in catchments in the past 25 years has been driven by acid deposition research funding. This research has focused on vulnerable base-poor systems; catchments on alkaline lithologies have received little attention. In regions of high acid loadings, however, even well-buffered catchments are susceptible to forest decline and episodes of low alkalinity in sAuthorsJ. B. Shanley, P. Kram, J. Hruska, T.D. BullenSleepers River, Vermont: a Water, Energy, and Biogeochemical Budgets Program site
The Sleepers River Research Watershed in northeastern Vermont was established by the Agricultural Research Service (ARS) of the U.S. Department of Agriculture in 1959 and is now operated jointly by the U.S. Geological Survey (USGS) and the U.S. Army Cold Regions Research and Engineering Laboratory (CRREL), will collaboration from several other Federal Agencies and Universities. The USGS has contriAuthorsJames B. ShanleyThe effect of frozen soil on snowmelt runoff at Sleepers River, Vermont
Soil frost depth has been monitored at the Sleepers River Research Watershed in northeastern Vermont since 1984. Soil frost develops every winter, particularly in open fields, but its depth varies from year to year in inverse relation to snow depth. During the 15 years of record at a benchmark mid-elevation open site, the annual maximum frost depth varied from 70 to 390 mm. We empirically tested tAuthorsJ. B. Shanley, A. ChalmersCross-well slug testing in unconfined aquifers: A case study from the Sleepers River Watershed, Vermont
Normally, slug test measurements are limited to the well in which the water level is perturbed. Consequently, it is often difficult to obtain reliable estimates of hydraulic properties, particularly if the aquifer is anisotropic or if there is a wellbore skin. In this investigation, we use partially penetrating stress and observation wells to evaluate specific storage, radial hydraulic conductivitAuthorsKenneth Belitz, W. DrippsLevel II scour analysis for Bridge 27 (STJOTH00080027) on Town Highway 8, crossing the Sleepers River, St. Johnsbury, Vermont
This report provides the results of a detailed Level II analysis of scour potential at structure STJOTH00080027 on Town Highway 8 crossing the Sleepers River, St. Johnsbury, Vermont (figures 1–8). A Level II study is a basic engineering analysis of the site, including a quantitative analysis of stream stability and scour (U.S. Department of Transportation, 1993). Results of a Level I scour invAuthorsMichael A. IvanoffWater, energy, and biogeochemical budget research at Sleepers River Research Watershed, Vermont
The U.S. Geological Survey has selected the Sleepers River Research Watershed (Sleepers River) near Danville, Vt., as one of five sites for the investigation of Water, Energy, and Biogeochemical Budgets (WEBB). Sleepers River was chosen because it is a well-designed outdoor laboratory with a long history of hydrologic data collection and research, and also because it provides an ideal opportunityAuthorsJames B. Shanley, E.T. Sundquist, Carol Kendall