Unified Interior Regions
Wyoming
The Rocky Mountain Region ranges from the Colorado Rockies to the Western Deserts to the Great Plains. The Rocky Mountain Region conducts multi- and interdisciplinary research and monitoring in locations across the Region, the United States, around the world, and across our solar system.
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RARMI: Northern Rocky Mountain Science Center (NOROCK) Apex Sites
In contrast to RARMI study areas in Colorado that have 10 or more years of records of continuous population monitoring, there are fewer long-term datasets for amphibian populations in the northern Rocky Mountains. The exception is an ongoing study of Columbia spotted frogs at Lodge Creek, Yellowstone National Park. Three other long-term research and monitoring areas have been established in...
RARMI: Fort Collins Science Center (FORT) Apex Sites
FORT is monitoring populations of amphibians at three apex sites using capture-recapture methods. Our goal in monitoring populations is to detect fluctuations in population size, sex ratio, survival, and recruitment. Through long-term monitoring, we can also address breeding phenology in relation to elevation, weather, and climate. Other specific questions can be asked about issues such as...
COMPLETED: Using thermal imagery to assess wolf hairloss from sarcoptic mange
Researchers at NOROCK and their partners used thermal cameras at the Grizzly and Wolf Discovery Center in Montana to assess the amount of heat lost under a range of environmental conditions with and without hair. These methods help scientists better understand how mange operates in wild wolves throughout the Greater...
Impacts of climate change on habitat quality: plant phenology interactions with animal use and fitness
Weather and climate impact terrestrial wildlife habitat through their influences on plant productivity. Plant phenology – the timing of life-history events such as green-up, flowering and senescence – provides one indicator of the timing and magnitude of productivity. Changes and variability in plant phenology in space and time are indicators of habitat quality, which is a driver of fitness...
Identification of Fire Refugia in Rocky Mountain Ecosystems of the U.S. and Canada: Development and Application of the Refugium Concept for Biodiversity Conservation over Large Spatial and Temporal Scales
We described the climate space of fire regimes in northwestern North America (Whitman and others 2015), and we are refining an approach to identify fire refugia – areas that do not burn or burn with lower severity through multiple fire events. We continue our collaboration to test the function of refugia for biodiversity conservation under current and future climate and fire scenarios. We...
Geneva Chong's Past Projects
These are Geneva Chong's past projects.
Yellowstone Volcano Observatory (YVO)
Monitors and studies the active geologic processes and hazards of the Yellowstone Plateau volcanic field and its caldera. Yellowstone National Park contains the largest and most diverse collection of natural thermal features in the world. YVO also monitors volcanic activity in Montana, Wyoming, Colorado, Utah, and New Mexico.
Amphibian Research and Monitoring Initiative: Rocky Mountain Region
Decline of amphibian populations worldwide has prompted an international effort to determine causes of decline in various locations and ecosytems. Some causes which have been suggested include habitat alteration, introduced species, disease, and environmental stressors such as ultraviolet radiation, agricultural chemicals in groundwater, and contaminants in atmospheric deposition. The ...
NAWQA High Plains Regional Groundwater Study
As part of the National Water Quality Assessment Program (NAWQA), the USGS has evaluated ground-water quality in the High Plains aquifer system. Beginning in 1999 and continuing for a period of 6 years, the High Plains Regional Groundwater Study intensively investigated the...
SAGEMAP
A GIS Database for Sage-grouse and Shrubsteppe Management in the Intermountain West
NAWQA South Platte River Basin Study
The South Platte River Basin study, conducted as part of the U.S. Geological Survey's National Water-Quality Assessment Program, combines information on water chemistry, physical characteristics, stream habitat, and aquatic life to provide science-based insights for current and...
Thermally-deformed sensor recovered from the floor of Yellowstone Lake
Sensor (top), deformed battery/electronics package (bottom), and titanium sheath (left) following recovery from vent location A in teh Deep Hole area on the floor of Yellowstone Lake.
Drilling an Ice Core
Researchers start drilling an ice core in the Greater Yellowstone Ecosystem.
Lamar River Downstream View
This photo was taken within Yellowstone National Park and shows a cableway view of Lamar River near Tower Ranger Station. Less than half a mile downstream, the Lamar River flows into the more well-known Yellowstone River. When this photo was taken, flows were just a bit above average at the streamgage.
Dropping the Wire Weight
The wire weight was dropped from this bridge to measure the stream stage of the Blacks Fork River near Lyman, Wyoming. Even with an early start, it is a struggle to get work done before an afternoon storm rolls in.
ADCP Cableway Measurement
An exciting ride to get the ADCP to the main channel on the other side of the willows for streamflow measurement at the Shoshone River near Lovell, Wyoming.
Collecting Water-Quality Sample Using Bridge Crane, Bighorn River
Summer Interns learning about sampling at the Bighorn River near Worland, Wyoming. The team used the bridge crane and heavy sampler to get water while streamflow was about twice average for the date.
ADCP Bridge Measurement
USGS employees measuring WInd River streamflows at Kinnear bridge soon after minor flooding had occurred on the highway.
Measuring streamflow in Belle Fource River below Hulett, WY
Measuring streamflow in Belle Fource River below Hulett, WY
Cableway Scenery
Using the cableway to measure streamflow in Snake River below the Jackson Lake Dam. With scenery like that, it's hard to keep your eye on the equipment in the water!
Winter ADCP Measurement
Using teamwork to move the ADCP back and forth across Blackrock Creek at Togwotee Pass.
Wyoming-Montana Stream Water-Quality Network site map
Wyoming-Montana Stream Water-Quality Network site map
Water quality of streams in northeastern Wyoming and southeastern Montana shows a few statistical changes from 2001 to 2010, according to a new U.S. Geological Survey report.
A new U.S. Geological Survey fact sheet and a map showing the water-surface elevation of groundwater in the High Plains aquifer system in Laramie County can help local well owners in southeastern Wyoming better understand the quality and quantity of their well water.
Groundwater withdrawals for crop irrigation have increased to over 16 million acre-feet per year in the High Plains Aquifer, according to a recent U.S. Geological Survey study.
Approximately 13 million metric tons of rare earth elements (REE) exist within known deposits in the United States, according to the first-ever nationwide estimate of these elements by the U.S. Geological Survey.
In this USGS media tipsheet, we've gone through thousands of GSA conference abstracts and selected some of the newest, most exciting USGS science presentations for your convenience. We hope you find it useful.
YELLOWSTONE NATIONAL PARK, Wyo. -- A new sensor network installed in Yellowstone National Park this summer will provide scientists and the public near “real-time” data on what’s happening in one of the nation’s most active geyser basins.
LARAMIE, Wy. — Previous research has claimed that the reintroduction of wolves to Yellowstone National Park in 1995 is helping restore quaking aspen in risky areas where wolves prowl. But apparently elk hungry for winter food had a different idea.
Continued high flows in the upper North Platte River and its tributaries have resulted in the river reaching an all-time record at the USGS streamgage on the North Platte River above Seminoe Reservoir near Sinclair. The gage height of 11.6 feet reached on June 14, 2010 is 2.6 feet above the National Weather Service flood stage.
Reporters: Want to accompany a U.S. Geological Survey field crew as they measure flooding? Please contact Kirk Miller to coordinate.
Brucellosis, a bacterial infection of cattle, elk and bison, appears to be increasing in several elk populations in northwestern Wyoming, according to a U.S. Geological Survey study recently released in the publication Ecological Applications.
The U. S. Geological Survey (USGS), an agency of the Department of the Interior, has allocated $7 million in American Recovery and Reinvestment Act funds to 15 universities and state agencies nationwide.
Greater sage-grouse populations have declined substantially in many areas in the West, though populations in some locations remain relatively stable, according to a comprehensive publication written by federal, state, and non-governmental organizations. The population assessment is one of numerous sage-grouse topics covered in the 24 chapters released today.