Stream metabolism estimates and surface water chemistry in Glenbrook Creek (NV) and Blackwood Creek (CA) in the Lake Tahoe Basin, 2021-2024

The goal of this project was to develop a process-based understanding of how in-stream productivity and nitrogen dynamics respond to hydroclimatic volatility. We used a combined approach of high-frequency sensor deployment and maintenance, ecosystem metabolism modeling, and routine monitoring of water chemistry and other parameters.

The data we collected as part of this project demonstrate how variable ecosystem productivity is in time and space in within and among mountain streams. Although maintenance of the sensor arrays during the exceptionally wet winter of 2023 was challenging, we were able to estimate a time series of stream metabolism within the upper and lower reaches of two streams with different basin characteristics and through hydroclimatic conditions (2021 to 2024).

Throughout this project we:

1. We generated four years of daily estimates of ecosystem metabolism (gross primary productivity, ecosystem respiration, and net ecosystem productivity) from upper and lower reach stations on both the east and west shores of the Lake Tahoe Basin.

2. We measured ammonium (NH4+) and nitrate (NO3-) concentrations in surface water and sediment samples from both Glenbrook and Blackwood creeks.

3. We modeled nitrogen supply and demand dynamics at each reach location.

See this git code repository for project analysis: https://github.com/kellyloria/Mountain-stream-biogeochem-and-productivity.