ABSTRACT
This chapter presents an overview of hydrology and water quality of the undisturbed mountain streams in the natural ecosystem; it then explains the effects of development in mountainous terrain on stream flow and the water quality. Mountain streams provide habitat for fish, amphibians, and macro invertebrates, as well as clean water for human consumption. A healthy terrestrial ecosystem acts as a filter, preventing some types and amounts of contaminants from reaching the stream. Mountain resort streams and undeveloped streams alike share the water quality effects of regional air pollution. Machine-made snow is produced when compressed air is introduced to a stream of pumped water, breaking the water into fine droplets and forcibly ejecting it through a nozzle. The chapter present findings from a scientific study at a Vermont mountain resort, designed to help fill the current gap in scientific understanding. It concludes with a discussion of the role of scientific information in the formulation of policy regarding mountain resorts.
