Using sensors to monitor temporal dynamics and drivers of winter nutrient and chloride loading in vermont watersheds of different land-usesproject period: 9 1 2024 through 8 31 2027PROJECT abstract…

The University of Vermont & State Agricultural College, doing business as the University of Vermont (UVM), received a $499,936 Cooperative Agreement award from the U.S. Geological Survey under the Assistance to State Water Resources Research Institutes program (CFDA 15.805). The purpose of this 3-year project is to develop and maintain a watershed nutrient and salt monitoring program during winter months in Vermont. The researchers will deploy and maintain sensors to measure nutrients and conductivity (as a proxy for chloride concentration) at high frequency across different Vermont watersheds. These data will be supplemented with water grab sampling during winter and spring snowmelt events. The project aims to provide a more robust conceptual model of how changing winters are impacting nutrient and chloride loading, a template for expanding winter water quality monitoring, workforce development via two master's student theses, and stakeholder engagement on the impacts of changing winters on water quality. Key deliverables include multi-year high-frequency water quality data, peer-reviewed publications, and presentations to regional and national stakeholders.

Using sensors to monitor temporal dynamics and drivers of winter nutrient and chloride loading in vermont watersheds of different land-usesproject period: 9 1 2024 through 8 31 2027PROJECT abstract summary: the purpose of this award is to develop and maintain a watershed nutrient and salt monitoring program during winter months in vermont. This research will seek to develop a more detailed understanding of how changing winter hydrologic regimes in northern latitudes are impacting water quality across characteristic watersheds of different land-use practices in this region of the country. The researchers will accomplish this by deploying and maintaining sensors that measure nutrients and conductivity (proxy for chloride concentration) at high frequency across different watersheds in vermont for three winter seasons. These data will be supplemented with water grab sampling campaigns during winter and spring snow melt events.when possible, the project will leverage existing monitoring infrastructure to provide robust ancillary data to inform new winter monitoring efforts (e.g. snowpack and weather monitoring, USGS gages, existing water and soil monitoring programs by UVM and USGS). Deliverables will include multi-year high frequency water quality data time series at focal locations, peer-reviewed publications, two MS students advised and associated theses, and presentation of findings to regional stakeholders and national research communities. Expected outcomes will be to provide: 1) a more robust conceptual model of how changing winters are impacting the nutrient and chloride loading components of regional water quality, 2) a template for others to expand their monitoring into winter with similar technology, 3) workforce development via supporting two MS students to attain degrees in geosciences, and 4) stakeholder engagement and education around the impacts of changing winters on water quality and importance of considering these events during winter road maintenance and in policy and monitoring programs. The study is intended to benefit an array of groups including the water quality research community, the water quality monitoring community, policy makers across the country in regions that are experiencing similar shifts in the form of precipitation and the timing magnitude of winter runoff, practitioners that manage snow and ICE using chloride-based salts during winter, and the communities thatdepend on these water resources.