This review shows that water storage capacity in the critical zone can change on climate-relevant timescales, yet remains difficult to measure and model—especially in the subsurface. Advances from long-term observatories and field campaigns are improving how we observe storage filling, draining, and connectivity, but spatial heterogeneity and evolving capacity still challenge models. The authors argue progress requires a three-part approach: improved observations, updated conceptual models to guide where and how we measure, and physically based numerical models to test new hypotheses. Bridging field science and modeling—and improving how we integrate knowledge across disciplines—will be key to predicting future water availability for ecosystems and people.
Tague, C., Barnard, H. R., Harpold, A. A., Heckman, C. J., Johnson, K., Knowles, J. F., Lininger, K. B., Lowman, L. E. L., Navarre-Sitchler, A., Parrish, E., Singha, K., Sullivan, P. L., & Warix, S. (2025). James Buttle Review: Dynamic water storage shapes critical zone function in snow-dominated mountain watersheds. Hydrological Processes, 39(11), e70325. https://doi.org/10.1002/hyp.70325
The Tague Team Lab 