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Thomas H. Painter Snow Optics Laboratory University of Utah

This study examines the impact of disturbed desert dust on accelerated snowmelt and its implications for water management in the Western US. Early snowmelt affects water availability, evapotranspiration, and temperatures, making it crucial to understand the role of dust. The study highlights the significant reservoir capacity provided by mountain snowpack and the need to address dust loading in order to inform water managers.

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Thomas H. Painter Snow Optics Laboratory University of Utah

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  1. Where Deserts and Mountains CollideThe Implications of Accelerated Snowmeltby Disturbed Desert Dust Thomas H. Painter Snow Optics Laboratory University of Utah

  2. Snowmelt and Water • 75% of freshwater comes from snow in the Western US • Mountain snowpack provides enormous, critical reservoir capacity • Early snowmelt increases growing season length, evapotranspiration, and temperatures • Rate of snowmelt controls water management and yield

  3. Photo: Chris Landry, Center for Snow and Avalanche Studies

  4. Reflectivity = 72% Absorption = 28% Reflectivity Reflectivity =43% Absorption = 57% Snow Albedo

  5. Impact of Dust: A Perfect Storm Dust is well timed Dust is well placed Dust is, well, darker than snow April 2009 May 2009

  6. Changes in Dust Loading Post-disturbance ~ 1850 AD Pre-disturbance From lake sediments in the Colorado Rockies From Neff et al (2008), Nature Geosciences

  7. Present Photo: McKenzie Skiles, Snow Optics Laboratory

  8. Phoenix 2006 Future Dust Loading

  9. Snow water equivalent (mm) Snowmelt Modeling albedo = 0.72 Before disturbance albedo = 0.43 After disturbance Senator Beck Basin Study Area, Colorado, 2006 Cleaner (before disturbance) Dirtier (after disturbance )

  10. Informing Water Managers

  11. Colorado River Basin May 6, 2009 MODIS-DRFS Daily sunlight absorbed by dust (W/m2)

  12. Water in the Colorado River Basin STAY TUNED

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