The Sky Mountain Station was installed and began collecting data in the summer of 2012. Located at an elevation of around 8,380 feet (2,450m), 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.

Soil at a glance:

Loam | 10.6% organic matter | 60.5ppm NO3 | 14ppm P | pH 5.

Measurements:

Air Temperature | Relative Humidity | Rain | Soil Moisture at 2, 8, and 20in (5, 20, and 51cm) | Soil Temperature at 8in (20cm) added 2015

Live data are collected every 20 minutes and transmitted every four hours. These data have not been checked for anomalies or potential false readings and soil moisture readings are not calibrated. Rain readings should not be considered accurate when temperatures are below freezing. 

Live data are collected every 20 minutes and transmitted every four hours. Live data have not been checked for anomalies or potential false readings and soil moisture calibrations have not been applied. Rain readings should not be considered accurate when temperatures are below freezing. Archived data have been cleaned and calibrated.

Archived data offer daily averages or daily maximum and minimum readings for each sensor. These data have been calibrated and undergone basic QC. However, rain readings should not be considered accurate when temperatures are below freezing.

Archived data available through CUAHSI (linked below) are updated annually.

Funders:

This station was jointly funded by: Pitkin County Open Space and Trails, City of Aspen, and the Aspen Center for Environmental Studies. It was installed and is operated by AGCI.