Lake O'Hara, BC
Location and Physical Characteristics
- Located at the Continental Divide (51º21'30"N, 116º20'15"W) in Yoho National Park;
- Elevation rage: 2000 - 3500 m;
- 14 km2 drainage area above the outlet of Lake O'Hara;
- Approximately 20% of the watershed is sub-alpine coniferous forest, and 80% is alpine (exposed bedrock, talus slopes, glacial moraine material, and very small amount of glacier ice cover);
- Representative of alpine headwaters in the Canadian Rockies.
History
- The research basin was established by the University of Calgary in 2004, with permission and assistance from Parks Canada;
- Annual snow surveys at maximum accumulation have been carried out since 2006, sampling 1200-1500 depth points and 200-300 density measurements;
- Intensive characterization of subsurface materials and structure by geophysical imaging.
Current Science Focus and Instrumentation
- Research efforts are primarily led by Professor Masaki Hayashi and his research team at the University of Calgary;
- Focused studies on snow hydrology, groundwater hydrology, stream-groundwater interaction, alpine permafrost, and glacier mass and energy balance;
- Main research infrastructure includes: two weather stations, five stream gauging stations, and two lake water level stations.
Other Resources and Further Information
For further information contact:
Professor Masaki HayashiCanada Research Chair in Physical HydrologyDepartment of GeoscienceUniversity of Calgary
2500 University Dr. NW
Calgary, Alberta, T2N 1N4, Canadahayashi@ucalgary.ca
403-220-2794