SGER: Extension of Surface Energy and Water Cycle Flux Measurements Beyond the International H2O Project (IHOP) Intensive Observation Period

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This Small Grant for Exploratory Research (SGER) will monitor hydroclimate aspects of the ongoing extreme drought in the U.S. southwest. Project resources will be used to continue field observations related to surface energy and water exchanges in the core drought region, well past the duration of the field-phase of the International H2O Project (IHOP). The collected data will be invaluable for both monitoring and understanding the causes and impact of severe droughts. Drs. Blanken (Univ. of Colorado) and Grossman (Colorado Research Associates) will produce a quantified description of surface conditions by making soil moisture and temperature, and evaporation measurements, and place the collected data in context of other flux measurements in the region. Upon completion of the project, detailed measurements will have been made at IHOP's "Site 10" from May 19 - November 1, 2002. The obtained land-surface condition data set will be invaluable in capturing the hydroclimate evolution into drought conditions, and should facilitate improvements in modeling of land-surface processes that are critical for drought development. This project is being supported by ATM's Large-scale and Mesoscale Dynamic Meteorology Programs, and EAR's Hydrologic Sciences Program.