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Fluxes project at North Temperate Lakes LTER: Predicting Peat Depth in a North Temperate Lake District 2008

Peat deposits contain on the order of 1/6 of the Earth's terrestrial fixed carbon (C), but uncertainty in peat depth precludes precise estimates of peat C storage. To assess peat C in the Northern Highlands Lake District (NHLD), a approximately 7000 square km region in northern Wisconsin, United States, with 20 percent peatland by area, we sampled 21 peatlands. In each peatland, peat depth (including basal organic lake sediment, where present) was measured on a grid and interpolated to calculate mean depth. Our study addressed three questions: (1) How spatially variable is peat depth? (2) To what degree can mean peat depth be predicted from other field measurements (water chemistry, water table depth, vegetation cover, slope) and/or remotely sensed spatial data? (3) How much C is stored in NHLD peatlands? Site mean peat depth ranged from 0.1 to 5.1 m. Most of the peatlands had been formed by the in-filling of small lake basins (terrestrialization), and depths up to 15 m were observed. Mean peat depth for small peat basins could be best predicted from basin edge slope at the peatland/upland interface, either measured in the field or calculated from digital elevation (DEM) data (Adj. R2 = 0.70). Upscaling using the DEM-based regression gave a regional mean peat depth of 2.1 plus or minus 0.2 m (including approximately 0.1 to 0.4 m of organic lake sediment) and 144 plus or minus 21 Tg-C in total. As DEM data are widely available, this technique has the potential to improve C storage estimates in regions with peatlands formed primarily by terrestrialization. Number of sites: 21 Sampling Frequency: once for each site

WSC - Gridded sample points at Wibu field site including yield, soil texture, water table depth, and estimated soil water retention parameters

A variety of data from gridded sampling points at the Wibu field site. The gridded sampling scheme is described in the Point Locations dataset. This dataset includes 2012 and 2013 absolute and normalized yield, soil textural characteristics (organic content, porosity, bulk density, particle size metrics, % sand/silt/clay), a variety of water table depth metrics (mean, percentiles, sum exceedance values, moving averages), and soil water retention parameters estimated using the Rosetta pedotransfer function. It was collected as part of a study of the impacts of water table depth, soil texture, and growing season weather conditions on corn production at the Wibu field site, described in Zipper et al. (in review). The Wibu field site is a commercial agricultural field, which grew corn in the 2012, 2013, and 2014 growing seasons. See Zipper and Loheide (2014) Ag. For. Met. for more information about the field site.

WSC - Water surface elevation (WSE) and water table depth (WTD) from 14 points at the Wibu field site, 2012-2013 growing seasons

Observation wells were installed for the purpose of continuously monitoring the water table level during the 2012 and 2013 growing seasons at the Wibu field site. These data were then used to study the yield response of corn to water table depth, soil texture, and growing season weather conditions (Zipper et al., in prep). The Wibu field site is a commercial agricultural field, which grew corn in the 2012, 2013, and 2014 growing seasons. See Zipper and Loheide (2014) Ag. For. Met. for more information about the field site. The 2012 growing season was characterized by severe drought, and the water table fell below the bottom of most wells in late June/early July.

WSC - Yield and water table depth shapefiles from Wibu field site

Yield data from the Wibu field site combined with a variety of water table depth metrics (mean, percentiles, sum exceedance values, moving averages). It was collected as part of a study of the impacts of water table depth, soil texture, and growing season weather conditions on corn production at the Wibu field site, described in Zipper et al. (in review). The Wibu field site is a commercial agricultural field, which grew corn in the 2012, 2013, and 2014 growing seasons. See Zipper and Loheide (2014) Ag. For. Met. for more information about the field site.

openCC (other)Sep 2025View details →

Snow depth data for Saddle grid, 1992 - ongoing.

The depth of snow was measured at 88 points on the saddle grid. The 500 x 350 m study area (17.5 ha) consisted of a grid of 8 rows of stakes in an east/west direction and 11 rows of stakes in a north/south direction (for a total of 88 stakes). The stakes were located 50 m apart. Each stake was given a point identification number starting with 1 in the southwest corner and progressing in an easterly direction for each of the east/west rows so that if head of this file represented the north compass point and the tail represented the south compass point, then the grid would look like this: 71 72 73 74 75 76 77 78 79 80 801(=80A) 61 62 63 64 65 66 67 68 69 70 701(=70A) 51 52 53 54 55 56 57 58 59 60 601(=60A) 41 42 43 44 45 46 47 48 49 50 501(=50A) 31 32 33 34 35 36 37 38 39 40 401(=40A) 21 22 23 24 25 26 27 28 29 30 301(=30A) 11 12 13 14 15 16 17 18 19 20 201(=20A) 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10 101(=10A) Note that stakes along the east boundary of the grid, i.e. those ending with the "A", were given new designations to facilitate incorporation of the data into the Saddle GIS. Snow depths at each of the stakes were recorded on a weekly to biweekly basis throughout the period during which snow accumulation existed on the Saddle.

openCC (other)Dec 2025View details →

Turf Transplant temperature, soil moisture and turf depths, 2024 - ongoing.

The Turf Transplant Experiment was set up in the summer of 2024. Paired experimental sites were established in two tundra community types - dry meadow and moist meadow - with one site of each community type pair in a lower elevation/warmer area and one site in a higher elevation/cooler area. Subplot turfs (25 cm^2) were transplanted (1) between sites of the same community type at different elevations/temperatures, (2) between plots within the same site or (3) left in place as non-transplant controls. This data package contains dates and depths of turfs as installation as well as plot-level moisture and temperature.

openCC (other)Oct 2023View details →

Snow depth data for saddle snowfence, 1992 - ongoing.

A snowfence was built in 1993 on the Niwot Ridge Saddle grid to determine the effects of changes in snowpack on a number of variables. The study area was 60m x 125m. Snow depths were measured at each of 147 points within the snowfence experiment area and at 6 control locations outside of but near the snowfence experiment area. Of the 147 points, 84 were located on the leeward (east) side of the snowfence, 56 were located on the windward (west) side of the snowfence, and 7 were located along the snowfence itself. These measurements were made weekly to biweekly. Sampling locations were each given a unique point identification number so that these data could be incorporated into the Saddle GIS. The snowfence was oriented in a north/south direction and was 60 m long. Each of the point identification numbers had a coordinate within the experiment area. The first number of the coordinate was the distance in m from the snowfence in an east/west direction, negative numbers being west of the snowfence and positive numbers being east of the fence. The second number in the coordinate was the distance in m from the southern terminus of the snowfence in a northerly direction.

Time series of high-frequency sensor data measuring water temperature, dissolved oxygen, conductivity, specific conductance, total dissolved solids, chlorophyll a, phycocyanin, turbidity, and fluorescent dissolved organic matter at discrete depths in Carvins Cove Reservoir, Virginia, USA in 2020-2025

We monitored water quality in Carvins Cove Reservoir (Roanoke, Virginia, USA; 37.3697 -79.958) with high-frequency (10-minute) sensors in 2020-2025. Carvins Cove Reservoir is owned and managed by the Western Virginia Water Authority as a primary drinking water source. This data package consists of datasets from two separate deployments. First, from July 2020 - August 2021, depth profiles of water temperature were measured on 1-meter intervals using HOBO temperature pendant loggers deployed from 0.1 m below the surface of the reservoir to 10 m depth, and also at 15 and 20 m depth. Additionally, water temperature was measured in the Sawmill Branch inflow at 0.5 m depth using HOBO temperature pendant loggers. Second, from 9 April 2021 - 31 December 2025, depth profiles of water temperature were measured on 1-meter intervals from 0.1 m below the surface of the reservoir to 11 m depth and additionally at 15 and 19 m. A YSI EXO2 sonde measured water temperature, conductivity, specific conductance, chlorophyll a, phycocyanin, total dissolved solids, dissolved oxygen, and fluorescent dissolved organic matter at ~1.5 m depth. A YSI EXO3 sonde measured water temperature, conductivity, specific conductance, total dissolved solids, dissolved oxygen, and fluorescent dissolved organic matter at ~9 m depth, which corresponds to the depth of a water outtake valve. The thermistors, EXO3 sonde, and pressure sensor were deployed at stationary, fixed elevations (referred to as positions) deployed off of the dam near the water outtake valves. Due to variable water levels in the reservoir, the depths of these sensors varied over time. In contrast, the EXO2 was deployed on a buoy from 2021-2022 and remained at 1.5 m depth as the water level fluctuated. However, in 2023, the buoy disappeared in a storm, and after that the EXO2 was deployed at a stationary elevation as the water level fluctuated around the sensor. The EXO2 was redeployed on the buoy in 2024. The monitoring site's maximum de

Secchi depth data and discrete depth profiles of water temperature, dissolved oxygen, conductivity, specific conductance, photosynthetic active radiation, oxidation-reduction potential, and pH for Beaverdam Reservoir, Carvins Cove Reservoir, Falling Creek Reservoir, Gatewood Reservoir, and Spring Hollow Reservoir in southwestern Virginia, USA 2013-2025

Discrete depth profiles of water temperature, dissolved oxygen, oxidation-reduction potential, conductivity, specific conductance, and pH were collected with multiple handheld water quality probes and discrete depth profiles of photosynthetically active radiation (PAR) were collected with a LI-COR underwater light meter from 2013 to 2025 in five drinking water reservoirs in southwestern Virginia, USA. These reservoirs are: Beaverdam Reservoir (Vinton, Virginia), Carvins Cove Reservoir (Roanoke, Virginia), Falling Creek Reservoir (Vinton, Virginia), Gatewood Reservoir (Pulaski, Virginia), and Spring Hollow Reservoir (Salem, Virginia). Beaverdam, Carvins Cove, Falling Creek, and Spring Hollow Reservoirs are owned and operated by the Western Virginia Water Authority as primary or secondary drinking water sources for Roanoke, Virginia, and Gatewood Reservoir is a drinking water source for the Town of Pulaski, Virginia. All discrete depth profiles were collected on approximately 1-meter intervals. The data package consists of two datasets: 1) Secchi depth data; and 2) discrete depth profiles of multiple water quality variables measured by handheld sensors. The Secchi data and discrete depth profiles were measured at the deepest site of each reservoir adjacent to the dam, as well as other in-reservoir sites. Handheld sensor measurements were also collected at a gauged weir on the primary inflow tributary, other inflows, and outflows at Falling Creek Reservoir; inflows and outflows at Beaverdam Reservoir; and inflows at Carvins Cove Reservoir. In 2021, YSI handheld data were also collected from a littoral site in Beaverdam Reservoir. In 2025, YSI handheld data were collected monthly from June to October from nine littoral sites around the perimeter of Falling Creek Reservoir. From 2024 - 2025, additional within-reservoir depth profiles were collected in Carvins Cove Reservoir and multiple sites. Data were collected approximately fortnightly in the spring months (March - Ma

Time series of high-frequency profiles of depth, temperature, dissolved oxygen, conductivity, specific conductance, chlorophyll a, turbidity, pH, oxidation-reduction potential, photosynthetically active radiation, colored dissolved organic matter, phycocyanin, phycoerythrin, and descent rate for Beaverdam Reservoir, Carvins Cove Reservoir, Falling Creek Reservoir, Gatewood Reservoir, and Spring Hollow Reservoir in southwestern Virginia, USA 2013-2025

Depth profiles of water biogeochemical properties were collected with SeaBird Electronics (SBE) Conductivity, Temperature, and Depth (CTD) profilers from 2013-2025 at five drinking water reservoirs in southwestern Virginia, USA. The study reservoirs are: Beaverdam Reservoir (Vinton, Virginia), Carvins Cove Reservoir (Roanoke, Virginia), Falling Creek Reservoir (Vinton, Virginia), Gatewood Reservoir (Pulaski, Virginia), and Spring Hollow Reservoir (Salem, Virginia). Beaverdam, Carvins Cove, Falling Creek, and Spring Hollow Reservoirs are owned and operated by the Western Virginia Water Authority as primary or secondary drinking water sources for Roanoke, Virginia, and Gatewood Reservoir is a drinking water source for the town of Pulaski, Virginia. The dataset consists of CTD depth profiles measured at the deepest site of each reservoir adjacent to the dam as well as other upstream reservoir sites. The profiles were collected approximately fortnightly in the spring months, weekly in the summer and early autumn, and monthly in the late autumn and winter. Beaverdam Reservoir, Carvins Cove Reservoir, and Falling Creek Reservoir were sampled every year in the dataset (2013-2025); Spring Hollow Reservoir was only sampled 2013-2017 and 2019; and Gatewood Reservoir was only sampled in 2016. Data availability differs across years due to additional sensors that have been added or replaced over time. From 2013-2016, profiles were taken with a CTD equipped with an SBE 43 Dissolved Oxygen sensor and an ECO FLNTU sensor for turbidity and chlorophyll. From 2017-2025, profiles were taken with a CTD equipped with an SBE 43 Dissolved Oxygen sensor, an ECO FLNTU sensor for turbidity and chlorophyll, a PAR-LOG ICSW sensor for photosynthetically active radiation, and a SBE 27 pH and ORP (oxidation-reduction potential) sensor. In 2022 and 2023, profiles were also taken with an additional CTD equipped with an SBE 43 Dissolved Oxygen sensor; an ECO Triplet Scattering Fluorescence sensor for

Time series of high-frequency sensor data measuring water temperature, dissolved oxygen, pressure, conductivity, specific conductance, total dissolved solids, chlorophyll a, phycocyanin, fluorescent dissolved organic matter, and turbidity at discrete depths in Falling Creek Reservoir, Virginia, USA in 2018-2025

We monitored water quality in Falling Creek Reservoir (Vinton, Virginia, USA; 37.30325 -79.8373) with high-frequency (10-minute) sensors in 2018-2025. All variables were measured at the deepest site of the reservoir adjacent to the dam. Falling Creek Reservoir is owned and managed by the Western Virginia Water Authority as a primary drinking water source for Roanoke, Virginia. This data product consists of one dataset compiled of depth profiles of water temperature on 1-m intervals from 0.1 to 9 m depth; dissolved oxygen at 5 m and 9 m depth; pressure at 9 m depth; and temperature, dissolved oxygen, conductivity, specific conductance, chlorophyll a, phycocyanin, total dissolved solids, fluorescent dissolved organic matter, turbidity, and pressure at ~1.6 m depth. The dataset is accompanied by a sensor maintenance log and quality assurance/quality control analysis scripts.

Time series of high-frequency sensor data measuring water temperature, dissolved oxygen, conductivity, specific conductance, total dissolved solids, chlorophyll a, phycocyanin, fluorescent dissolved organic matter, and turbidity at discrete depths, and water level in Beaverdam Reservoir, Virginia, USA in 2009-2025

We monitored water level and water quality in Beaverdam Reservoir (Vinton, Virginia, USA; 37.31288, -79.8159) with visual observations and high-frequency (10- to 15-minute resolution) sensors in 2009-2025. All variables were measured at the deepest site of the reservoir adjacent to the dam. Beaverdam Reservoir is owned and managed by the Western Virginia Water Authority as a secondary drinking water source for Roanoke, Virginia. This data package is comprised of three datasets: 1) bvre-waterlevel_2009_2025.csv, 2) bvre-sensorstring_2016_2020.csv, and 3) bvre-waterquality_2020_2025.csv. 1) bvre-waterlevel_2009_2025.csv contains water level observations of the staff gauge at a platform near the reservoir's dam by both the Western Virginia Water Authority and the Virginia Tech Reservoir Group LTREB field crew. This dataset spans 2009 to 2025, with data collection still ongoing. 2) bvre-sensorstring_2016_2020.csv consists of a water temperature profile at ~1-meter intervals from the surface of the reservoir to 10.5 m below the water, complemented by intermittent data collected by a dissolved oxygen logger deployed at 5 m or 10 m. A sonde measuring water temperature, conductivity, specific conductance, chlorophyll a, phycocyanin, total dissolved solids, dissolved oxygen, fluorescent dissolved organic matter, and turbidity was additionally deployed at ~1.5 m depth. This dataset spans 2016 to 2020, with no additional data collection beyond the last observation. The third dataset is bvre-waterquality_2020_2025.csv, with data collection still ongoing and an accompanying maintenance log. This dataset contains: a) a temperature string with 13 temperature sensors deployed ~1 m apart from the surface to 0.5 m above the sediments of the reservoir; b) two dissolved oxygen sensors, one in the middle of the string and one sensor above the sediments; and c) a pressure sensor just above the sediments. The same sonde from the first 2016-2020 dataset is also included in this 2020-2025 d

openCC (other)Feb 2023View details →

Summary of soil temperature, moisture, and thaw depth for 14 chamber flux measurements sampled near Arctic LTER shrub sites at Toolik Field Station, Alaska, summer 2012.

Soil temperature at 5cm and 10cm depth, volumetric water content (VWC) and depth of thaw for 14 shrub canopy flux plots measured in vicinity of the Arctic LTER shrub site, Toolik Field Station, AK in 2012.

openCC (other)Dec 2025View details →

Late season thaw depth measured in the Arctic Long Term Ecological Research (ARC LTER) moist acidic tussock experimental plots at Toolik Field station, Alaska Arctic 1993 to 2025

Late season thaw depth was measured in the Arctic Long Term Ecological Research (ARC LTER) experimental plots (1981 Moist Acidic Tussock, 1989 Moist Acidic Tussock, 2006 Low Fertilization Moist Acidic Tussock, 1989 Moist Non-acidic Tussock, 1989 Moist Non-acidic Non-tussock and 1989 Wet Sedge tundra) at Toolik Lake, Alaska using a steel thaw probe. Note: for 2017-2018 only 1989 Moist Non-Acidic Tussock Tundra and 2006 Low fertilization Moist Acidic Tussock Tundra were measured. For other sites it has become difficult to distinguish rocks from frozen soil with a steel thaw probe. Starting in 2023 weekly thaw depth measurements were made throughout the growing season in the 2006 Low fertilization Moist Acidic Tussock Tundra experiment.

openOpenNov 2025View details →

Bonanza Creek LTER: Annual Active Layer Depths from 1972 to Present in the Wickersham Fireline Sites near Fairbanks, Alaska

In June of 1971 the Wickersham fire burned 6313 ha and provided an opportunity to study various fire effects. When wildfire burns through a northern black spruce forest there is usually a subsequent increase in depth of thaw, due to the reduction in the depth of the organic layer. The construction of firelines with heavy machinery involves the complete removal of the organic layer and results in an even greater increase in active layer. This study was designed as a long-term comparison between depth of thaw on firelines, burned and unburned open black spruce forest underlain by ice rich permafrost.

Continuous salinity, temperature and depth measurements from moored hydrographic data loggers deployed at GCE1_Hydro (Sapelo River near Eulonia, Georgia) from 01-Jan-2020 through 31-Dec-2020

Conductivity, temperature and pressure were measured continuously at Georgia Coastal Ecosystems LTER sampling location GCE1_Hydro (Sapelo River near Eulonia, Georgia) from 01-Jan-2020 through 31-Dec-2020. Observations were logged at 30 minute intervals by moored Sea-Bird Electronics MicroCAT 37-SM data loggers and downloaded approximately quarterly. Salinity, depth and sigma-t (density anomaly) were calculated from the measured parameters using standard UNESCO algorithms. This data set was collected as part of the GCE-LTER Project continuous salinity, temperature and water level monitoring program.

Continuous salinity, temperature and depth measurements from moored hydrographic data loggers deployed at GCE2_Hydro (Four Mile Island, Georgia) from 01-Jan-2020 through 31-Dec-2020

Conductivity, temperature and pressure were measured continuously at Georgia Coastal Ecosystems LTER sampling location GCE2_Hydro (Four Mile Island, Georgia) from 01-Jan-2020 through 31-Dec-2020. Observations were logged at 30 minute intervals by moored Sea-Bird Electronics MicroCAT 37-SM data loggers and downloaded approximately quarterly. Salinity, depth and sigma-t (density anomaly) were calculated from the measured parameters using standard UNESCO algorithms. This data set was collected as part of the GCE-LTER Project continuous salinity, temperature and water level monitoring program.

Continuous salinity, temperature and depth measurements from moored hydrographic data loggers deployed at GCE3_Hydro (Sapelo Sound north of Sapelo Island, Georgia) from 01-Jan-2020 through 31-Dec-2020

Conductivity, temperature and pressure were measured continuously at Georgia Coastal Ecosystems LTER sampling location GCE3_Hydro (Sapelo Sound north of Sapelo Island, Georgia) from 01-Jan-2020 through 31-Dec-2020. Observations were logged at 30 minute intervals by moored Sea-Bird Electronics MicroCAT 37-SM data loggers and downloaded approximately quarterly. Salinity, depth and sigma-t (density anomaly) were calculated from the measured parameters using standard UNESCO algorithms. This data set was collected as part of the GCE-LTER Project continuous salinity, temperature and water level monitoring program.

Continuous salinity, temperature and depth measurements from moored hydrographic data loggers deployed at GCE6_Hydro (Doboy Sound south of Sapelo Island, Georgia) from 01-Jan-2020 through 31-Dec-2020

Conductivity, temperature and pressure were measured continuously at Georgia Coastal Ecosystems LTER sampling location GCE6_Hydro (Doboy Sound south of Sapelo Island, Georgia) from 01-Jan-2020 through 31-Dec-2020. Observations were logged at 30 minute intervals by moored Sea-Bird Electronics MicroCAT 37-SM data loggers and downloaded approximately quarterly. Salinity, depth and sigma-t (density anomaly) were calculated from the measured parameters using standard UNESCO algorithms. This data set was collected as part of the GCE-LTER Project continuous salinity, temperature and water level monitoring program.

Continuous salinity, temperature and depth measurements from moored hydrographic data loggers deployed at GCE7_Hydro (Altamaha River near Carrs Island, Georgia) from 01-Jan-2020 through 31-Dec-2020

Conductivity, temperature and pressure were measured continuously at Georgia Coastal Ecosystems LTER sampling location GCE7_Hydro (Altamaha River near Carrs Island, Georgia) from 01-Jan-2020 through 31-Dec-2020. Observations were logged at 30 minute intervals by moored Sea-Bird Electronics MicroCAT 37-SM data loggers and downloaded approximately quarterly. Salinity, depth and sigma-t (density anomaly) were calculated from the measured parameters using standard UNESCO algorithms. This data set was collected as part of the GCE-LTER Project continuous salinity, temperature and water level monitoring program.