2025 High Alpine Lake Monitoring on the Rio Grande National Forest
ORGANIZATION: USDA Forest Service
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Overview
Using data collected since 1993, the US Geological Survey and the United States Forest Service cooperate on a study to evaluate long-term trends in lake chemistry by analyzing data from water samples that have been collected at high alpine lakes. Analyzing data from these relatively pure water samples allows scientists to gain valuable insights into trends in emissions, atmospheric deposition and climate variables over a span of 30 year. The 64 lakes sampled in the study are all found in wilderness areas on USFS lands in Colorado, Idaho, Utah and Wyoming. Forty-seven of the lakes are in Colorado, and eight of these lakes are on the Rio Grande National Forest.
Volunteer Role
We need help collecting water samples on the Rio Grande National Forest! Water sampling trips will take place on the Divide Ranger District and the Conejos Peak Ranger District. There are 5 lakes in total where we need samples collected (2 lakes on Conejos Peak RD and 3 on the Divide District RD). Trips on the Divide RD will take you deep into the Weminuche Wilderness and trips on the Conejos Peak RD into the South San Juan Wilderness. All training will be provided by the Rio Grande National Forest's Volunteer Coordinator.
Requirements
· A minimum of 2 volunteers are required on each trip due to the remote nature of the work.
· Volunteers must have a satellite communication/safety device, one may be borrowed from the program if available.
· Volunteers are required to have experience hiking/camping in remote areas at high elevation in variable weather conditions. On average the trips are 15 miles round trip.
· Volunteers are responsible for their own personal equipment for hiking, cooking and camping in the backcountry.
Start Date - 2025-07-01
End Date - 2025-08-31
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About USDA Forest Service
Location:
1400 Independence Ave SW, Washington, DC 20250, US
Mission Statement
The USDA Forest Service's mission is to sustain the health, diversity, and productivity of the Nation's forests and grasslands to meet the needs of present and future generations.
Description
The United States Forest Service (USFS) is an agency of the U.S. Department of Agriculture that administers the nation’s 154 national forests and 20 national grasslands, spanning 193 million acres of land.
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DATE POSTED
January 31, 2025
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