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Rocky Mountain Region

USGS Region 7 Staff support and advise USGS Science Centers that provide numerous stakeholders with vital information about spatial distribution and temporal trends in critical minerals, energy resources, geology, water resources, native plants and wildlife, and hazards posed by earthquakes and landslides in Colorado, New Mexico, Utah, Wyoming and beyond.

News

USGS Colorado River Basin Actionable and Strategic Integrated Science and Technology (ASIST) Initiative Science Co-Development Virtual Workshop, June 24-25, 2025

USGS Colorado River Basin Actionable and Strategic Integrated Science and Technology (ASIST) Initiative Science Co-Development Virtual Workshop, June 24-25, 2025

USGS releases assessment of undiscovered oil and gas in Southwest Wyoming, Northwest Colorado

USGS releases assessment of undiscovered oil and gas in Southwest Wyoming, Northwest Colorado

New research highlights opportunities for enhacing amphibian occupancy in Rocky Mountain National Park

New research highlights opportunities for enhacing amphibian occupancy in Rocky Mountain National Park

Publications

Relating surface water dynamics in wetlands and lakes to spatial variability in hydrologic signatures Relating surface water dynamics in wetlands and lakes to spatial variability in hydrologic signatures

The retention of surface water in wetlands and lakes can modify the timing, duration, and magnitude of river discharge. However, efforts to characterize the influence of surface water on discharge regimes have been generally limited to small, wetland-dense watersheds. We developed random forest models to explain spatial variability in six hydrologic signatures, reflecting flashiness...
Authors
Melanie K. Vanderhoof, Peter Nieuwlandt, Heather E. Golden, Charles R. Lane, Jay Christensen, William Keenan, Wayana Dolan

Adapting visitor use management under a changing climate across the U.S. National Park System Adapting visitor use management under a changing climate across the U.S. National Park System

Research shows that climate change is already affecting both resources and visitors in U.S. National Parks. We sought to better understand if and how park staff across the National Park Service are adapting to climatic changes that affect visitor use, as well as barriers and challenges to adaptation and information needs. We conducted semi-structured qualitative interviews with 63 staff...
Authors
Emily J. Wilkins, Sarah Lynn Rappaport Keener, Wylie Carr, Samantha G. Winder, Julianne Reas, Daniela B. Daniele, Spencer A. Wood

Assessing the potential for evaluation of wildland fire models using remotely sensed data—Summary proceedings from a U.S. Geological Survey workshop in 2024 Assessing the potential for evaluation of wildland fire models using remotely sensed data—Summary proceedings from a U.S. Geological Survey workshop in 2024

On September 19, 2024, the U.S. Geological Survey (USGS) held a virtual workshop titled “Potential for Evaluation of Fire Models with Remote Sensing Data Workshop” to assess the feasibility of using remotely sensed datasets to evaluate next-generation wildland fire behavior models. Remote sensing and fire modelling experts gathered to: (1) assess the suitability of a variety of...
Authors
Sophie R. Bonner, Kurtis J. Nelson, Peter G. Rinkleff, Chad M. Hoffman, Paul F. Steblein

Science

Research to support conservation of America’s national mammal, the bison

Once numbering in the tens of millions, plains bison ( Bison bison bison) were nearly driven to extinction with only a few hundred individuals remaining by the late 19th century. Plains bison have since recovered to approximately 20,000 animals managed in conservation herds throughout North America, yet substantial challenges to their recovery remain. The Department of the Interior (DOI) stewards...
Research to support conservation of America’s national mammal, the bison

Research to support conservation of America’s national mammal, the bison

Once numbering in the tens of millions, plains bison ( Bison bison bison) were nearly driven to extinction with only a few hundred individuals remaining by the late 19th century. Plains bison have since recovered to approximately 20,000 animals managed in conservation herds throughout North America, yet substantial challenges to their recovery remain. The Department of the Interior (DOI) stewards...
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Geonarrative "Colorado River Basin's Millenium Drought" Published with Support from the USGS Colorado River Basin Actionable and Strategic Integrated Science and Technology (ASIST) Initiative

USGS Scientists have created a new geonarrative with graphics, animations, and text providing information about whether the Basin could be managed for drought conditions (relatively short-term dry conditions) or for aridification (a much longer period of dry conditions). This geonarrative describes ways that USGS can provide information that informs decision making for those situations in the...
Geonarrative "Colorado River Basin's Millenium Drought" Published with Support from the USGS Colorado River Basin Actionable and Strategic Integrated Science and Technology (ASIST) Initiative

Geonarrative "Colorado River Basin's Millenium Drought" Published with Support from the USGS Colorado River Basin Actionable and Strategic Integrated Science and Technology (ASIST) Initiative

USGS Scientists have created a new geonarrative with graphics, animations, and text providing information about whether the Basin could be managed for drought conditions (relatively short-term dry conditions) or for aridification (a much longer period of dry conditions). This geonarrative describes ways that USGS can provide information that informs decision making for those situations in the...
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Developing structured science syntheses for use in NEPA analyses and decision making in the Bureau of Land Management

Science information is fundamental to understanding how proposed actions on public lands may impact the environment. However, agencies often have limited time to compile and synthesize existing science. We are working with land management agencies to develop a new type of science product— structured science syntheses—for facilitating the use of science information in public lands decisions.
Developing structured science syntheses for use in NEPA analyses and decision making in the Bureau of Land Management

Developing structured science syntheses for use in NEPA analyses and decision making in the Bureau of Land Management

Science information is fundamental to understanding how proposed actions on public lands may impact the environment. However, agencies often have limited time to compile and synthesize existing science. We are working with land management agencies to develop a new type of science product— structured science syntheses—for facilitating the use of science information in public lands decisions.
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