Noah P. Molotch

Associate Professor •
• Surface water and snow hydrology • Remote sensing • Ecohydrology

Geography • Hydrologic Sciences Graduate Program

Bio

My research and teaching interests are focused on mountain hydrology and fostering a diverse and equitable scientific community.

My research projects utilize ground-based observations, remote sensing, and computational modeling to obtain comprehensive understanding of hydrological processes; in particular the distribution of snowmelt, soil moisture and streamflow. Studies relating fluxes of water and carbon are also a focus of my current projects—in particular carbon cycling in montane forests. I mentor a diverse group of scientists and seek collaborations with individuals with unique perspectives and life experiences.

Education

PhD: Hydrology and Water Resources, University of Arizona, 2004
MS: Environmental Science and Management, University of California, Santa Barbara, 2000
BA: University of Colorado Boulder, 1997

Research

Specialities: surface water and snow hydrology; remote sensing; ecohydrology.

Publications

See Noah's Google Scholar profile.

Teaching

Current courses

ENVS/GEOG 4201: Biometeorology
GEOG 1001: Climate & Vegetation
GEOG/GEOL 4093/5093: Remote Sensing of Environment

Past courses

GEOG 5241: Topics in Physical Geography: Advanced Methods in Snow Measurement

Current students

Kate Hale

PhD Candidate • Research Assistant

Geography

Mountain Hydrology Group Advisor: Noah Molotch Bio I specialize in modeling and empirically analyzing annual surface water input changes to decreased snowfall fractions and earlier snowmelt in mountainous regions. I am interested in mountain hydrology and changes in snowpack, timing of snowmelt, and water availability through time, especially in the western United States. I enjoy blending a number of traditional methods (i.e., modeling, large observational data analyses, manual fieldwork, remote-sensing...

katherine.e.hale@colorado.edu

Eric Kennedy

MS Student • Graduate Student Researcher •
• Snow hydrology • Ecohydrology • Forest ecology

Geography • Hydrologic Sciences Graduate Program

Mountain Hydrology Group Advisor: Noah Molotch As a new graduate student, I am still refining my niche in snow hydrology research. I have begun developing my thesis work around the interactions between snowpack and forest ecosystems, and how climate change is altering these interactions. In my nascent research career, I have drawn on my background as a wildland firefighter and ski patroller, as well as my undergraduate work in terrestrial...

eric.kennedy@colorado.edu

Patrick Saylor

MA Student •
• Snow hydrology

Geography

Visit the Mountain Hydrology group Advisor: Noah Molotch

patrick.saylor@colorado.edu

Millie Spencer

PhD Student •
• Hydrology • Traditional ecological knowledge (TEK) • Water across borders

Geography

Mountain Hydrology Group Hydrology, glaciology, transboundary water management/conflict, science communication, traditional ecological knowledge (TEK), and knowledge co-production.

millie.spencer@colorado.edu

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Outreach

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News

The Colorado River flowing through the Grand Canyon on its way to Lake Mead. Bas Vermolen/Getty Images.

The search for solutions to Colorado’s water crisis (5280)

March 6, 2023

An extensive essay in 5280 outlines the history, status, and potential responses to Colorado's ongoing--and growing--water shortage. Noah Molotch describes his work calculating snow-water equivalent using remote sensing as part of the piece.

Snow covers the rugged terrain of Sierra Nevada mountaintops.

How the winter storm could impact California reservoirs (Newsweek)

Feb. 23, 2023

Southern California is bracing for a cold winter storm that is expected to bring up to 5 feet of snow accumulation in certain areas. Noah Molotch and other LTER hydrologists are interviewed about the state of California's snowpack and water supply.

Map of dry vs wet conditions for coterminous US

These maps illustrate the seriousness of the western drought (Washington Post)

June 16, 2022

Historic drought has depleted groundwater, melted the snowpack, and dried up lakes--and it will get worse. Washington Post visual story (paywall) illustrated by maps from the Mountain Hydrology Lab.

After wildfires, scorched trees could disrupt water supplies (AP News)

April 22, 2022

As climate change fuels the spread of wildfires across the West, researchers want to know how the dual effect might disrupt water supplies. Noah Molotch is among those interviewed.

Q&A with an expert: Winter Olympics in a warming world (CU Boulder Today)

Feb. 1, 2022

When the 2022 Winter Olympics kick off in and around Beijing, China, this Friday it will mark the first time in the history of the Winter Games that outdoor events rely almost entirely on artificial snow. Noah Molotch speaks to the science of human-made snow, its use at the Olympics, and how climate change may impact the future of snow sports around the world and here in Colorado.

More Molotch news >

Noah P. Molotch

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Kate Hale

Eric Kennedy

Patrick Saylor

Millie Spencer

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Noah P. Molotch

Bio

Education

Research

Publications

Teaching

Current courses

Past courses

Current students

Outreach