Researchers

With a fully equipped laboratory and facilities for meetings, SNARL serves as a major center for research for the eastern Sierra Nevada and Owens Valley.

Convict lake

Apply to do research

Applicants must obtain all necessary permits prior to visiting the reserve, and comply with our code of conduct.

Sierra Nevada Aquatic Research Laboratory
Sierra Nevada Aquatic Research Laboratory

Facilities

The reserve offers housing, laboratories, and meeting space to qualified organizations for education, research, and public service purposes.

Frozen meadow North Lake

Graduate Student Grants

The reserve offers grants for graduate student research conducted in and around Mammoth Lakes.

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Bibliography

View a list of publications based on reserve research via the Zotero bibliography application.

Aspen leaves

Permits & Waivers

​All visitors to the reserve must sign a waiver. In addition, researchers must obtain the required permits from the appropriate agencies to conduct their work.

Sunset

Rates and Payment

View our reserve facility rates and learn how to pay for your stay.

Aspens

Researcher Responsibilities

​Researchers are responsible for obtaining necessary permits from the appropriate agencies.

Selected Research Projects

Ecology of Mono Lake 

UC research on Mono Lake has helped restore the ecosystem of this critical resource for waterbirds and other wildlife. Ongoing projects include modeling and monitoring.

Sierran Snowpack

SNARL scientists operate a snow laboratory on Mammoth Mountain; the National Science Foundation and NASA Earth Observing System Project fund ongoing studies of snowpack properties and snowmelt runoff.

Aquatic Biology

Ongoing studies examine impacts of livestock grazing on stream ecology and effects of non-native trout on Sierra Nevada lake ecosystems.

Endangered Species Conservation

Ongoing studies are examining the causes of declines in populations for the mountain yellow-legged frog, and the potential for recovery of this species

  • Wetland mapping project: Identification and delineation of wetlands in Long Valley.
  • Plant ecology: Population ecology, ecophysiology, and genetics of mountain brome grass.
  • Avian ecology: Artificial nest boxes are used to attract house wrens for studies of breeding behavior and endocrinology.