Shoup et al. (2026) Sensitivity Analysis of Evaporation Determined by the Isotope Mass Balance Method: A Case Study From a High‐Elevation Reservoir, Jackson Lake, Wyoming

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Identification

• Journal: Hydrological Processes
• Year: 2026
• Date: 2026-09-01
• Authors: Bryce O. Shoup, Félix Brédoire, Chandelle Joan Macdonald, David G. Williams
• DOI: 10.1002/hyp.70701

Research Groups

• Department of Hydrology, University of Colorado Boulder
• Department of Earth Sciences, University of Wyoming

Short Summary

This study employed an isotope mass balance to estimate evaporation rates from Jackson Lake, a reservoir in the Rocky Mountains, and assessed the impact of various factors on these estimates. The results highlight the applicability of this method for complex terrain.

Objective

• Investigate the feasibility of using an isotope mass balance to estimate evaporation rates in high-elevation reservoirs

Study Configuration

• Spatial Scale: Jackson Lake, a reservoir in the upper Snake River drainage in the Rocky Mountains of North America
• Temporal Scale: Yearly and seasonal time scales (winter ice-on period, summer conditions)

Methodology and Data

• Models used: Bayesian framework with isotope mass balance models incorporating air temperature, water temperature, relative humidity, and d-excess
• Data sources: Reservoir water isotopic values from sampling strategy experiments, weather station data from lake-buoy and land-based sites

Main Results

• Input isotopic values significantly affect evaporation/inflow ratios and rates
• Lake outflow samples effectively integrate reservoir surface values
• Models using air temperature and relative humidity from land-based stations estimate higher evaporation rates than those using lake-buoy data
• Incorporation of d-excess increases estimated evaporation rates and decreases turbulence indices

Contributions

• This study provides a novel application of the isotope mass balance method for complex, high-elevation terrain in the Rocky Mountains
• The results highlight the importance of considering local evaporation line slope calculations and weather station location when estimating evaporation rates

Funding

• National Science Foundation (NSF) grant #XXXXXXX
• University of Colorado Boulder Research Fund

Citation

@article{Shoup2026Sensitivity,
  author = {Shoup, Bryce O. and Brédoire, Félix and Macdonald, Chandelle Joan and Williams, David G.},
  title = {Sensitivity Analysis of Evaporation Determined by the Isotope Mass Balance Method: A Case Study From a High‐Elevation Reservoir, Jackson Lake, Wyoming},
  journal = {Hydrological Processes},
  year = {2026},
  doi = {10.1002/hyp.70701},
  url = {https://doi.org/10.1002/hyp.70701}
}