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The Roaring Fork Observation Network Stations

In addition to links to data collected by other entities, the iRON hosts data collections from AGCI's own soil moisture network. Live data is data gathered from AGCI's soil and climate monitoring stations. These stations measure soil temperature (8in depth), soil moisture (2, 8, 20 inch depths), air temperature, relative humidity, and rain. Rain is measured by tipping bucket rain gauge, and therefore measurements taken during freezing months when snow is present are unreliable. Data is collected every 20 minutes and transmitted to the database every hour. The live graphs see on the Station pages are provided through Hobolink and have not been filtered for erroneous readings. This data can be viewed but is not available for download, and only the previous month's data is available for viewing. To find downloadable, archived data visit the Data Dashboard.

For data collected by agencies other than AGCI or a willing partner, download data directly from its source using the links below in the Further Resources.

  • Castle Creek

    The Castle Creek Station was installed in 2019 and began collecting data in the summer of 2020. Located at an elevation of around 11,500 feet, the station is located in a clearing on a sub-alpine slope. This station is powered by solar panel and measures snow depth, wind speed and direction, radiative balance, air temperature, relative humidity, soil temperature at an 8in depth, and soil moisture at 2, 8, and 20 inch depths.

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  • Independence Pass

    The Independence Pass Station was installed and began collecting data in the summer of 2016. Located at an elevation of around 12,080 feet (3,680m), the station is located in an alpine environment characterized by willows. This particular stand is of interest because it is in a high alpine environment. This station is powered by solar panel and measures air temperature, rain, snow depth, relative humidity, soil temperature, and moisture at 2, 8, and 20 inch (5, 20, and 51cm) depths.

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  • Spring Valley

    The Spring Valley Station was installed and began collecting data in the summer of 2016. Located at an elevation of around 7,100 feet, the station is located in a pinyon-juniper and sageland ecosystem. This station is powered by solar panel and measures air temperature, relative humidity, soil temperature at an 8inch depth, and soil moisture at 2, 8, and 20 inch depths.

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  • Sky Mountain

    The Sky Mountain Station was installed and began collecting data in the summer of 2012. Located at an elevation of around 8,380 feet, the station is located in a stand of aspens. This particular stand is of interest because it occurs on a north-facing slope that is primarily covered with woody shrubs such as sage, scrub-oak, and service berries. This stand of aspens may be a stand in transition. This station is powered by solar panel and measures air temperature, relative humidity, soil moisture at 2, 8, and 20 inch depths. In summer of 2015, soil temperature at 8 inches was added as well.

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  • Glassier Ranch

    The Glassier Ranch Station was installed and began collecting data in the summer of 2014. Located at an elevation of around 6,460 feet (1,970m), the station is in a riparian zone near the Roaring Fork River and is surround by tall grasses. This area was heavily impacted by ranching and agriculture previous to its current ownership by Pitkin County Open Space and Trails, and its soil moisture content may still be impacted by nearby irrigation. This station is powered by solar panel and measures air temperature, relative humidity, soil temperature at 8 inches, and soil moisture at 2, 8, 20, and 40 inch (5, 20, 51, and 102cm) depths.

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  • Glenwood Springs

    The Glenwood Springs Station was installed and began collecting data in the summer of 2015. It is situated on City of Glenwood Springs Property. The station is at an elevation of around 6,200 feet, and is located on a slope in a small clearing amongst dense growing scrub oak in very rocky soil. This station is powered by a solar panel and measures air temperature, relative humidity, soil temperature at 8 inches, and soil moisture at 2, 8, and 20 inch depths.

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  • Brush Creek

    The Brush Creek Station was installed and began collecting data in the summer of 2014. Located at an elevation of around 7,780 feet, the station is in a high altitude meadow near Brush Creek and is surrounded primarily by smooth brome. This area was previously heavily impacted by ranching and is designated for future restoration by Pitkin County Open Space and Trails. This station is powered by a solar panel and measures air temperature, relative humidity, soil temperature at 8 inches, and soil moisture at 2, 8, and 20 inch depths.

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  • Northstar Preserve

    Two stations were installed at Northstar in the fall of 2015. The land is managed by Pitkin County, and two companion stations are located near each other: one in a stand of aspen trees and the other in a transition zone between a fen and a meadow. The area is considered of special interest as there is curiosity as to whether the ecosystems adjacent to the nearby riparian zone may be drying out over time.

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  • Smuggler Mountain

    The Smuggler Mountain Station was installed in 2012 and began collecting data in the summer of 2013. Located at an elevation of around 8,970 feet, the station is located in a mixed conifer forest that includes spruce, pine, fir, and some aspen. This station is powered by solar panel and measures air temperature, relative humidity, soil moisture at 2, 8, and 20 inch depths. In the fall of 2014, soil temperature at 8 inches was added as well.

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