Colorado communities worried about glacier water supplies

ROCKY MOUNTAIN NATIONAL PARK, Colo. (AP) -- Colorado communities that rely on water from dozens of glaciers and glacier features in Rocky Mountain National Park are concerned because the glaciers are shrinking as temperatures climb and winter snowfall becomes more uncertain.

Water from the Poudre, Colorado and Big Thompson rivers get meltwater from dozens of glaciers and glacier-like features around the park.

Park glaciers always vary in size depending on the seasons, but low snowfall amounts could keep them from being replenished.

The Fort Collins Coloradoan reports a two-year study is underway to find out how the glaciers have changed in area and volume since 2005.

Scientists will be using historic maps, climate records, photographs and measurements to better understand what's happening.