Links
- More information: Publisher Index Page
- Download citation as: RIS | Dublin Core
Abstract
Knowledge of the spatial distribution of snow water equivalence (SWE) is necessary to adequately forecast the volume and timing of snowmelt runoff. In April 1997, peak accumulation snow depth and density measurements were independently taken in the Loch Vale watershed (6.6 km2), Rocky Mountain National Park, Colorado. Geostatistics and classical statistics were used to estimate SWE distribution across the watershed. Snow depths were spatially distributed across the watershed through kriging interpolation methods which provide unbiased estimates that have minimum variances. Snow densities were spatially modeled through regression analysis. Combining the modeled depth and density with snow-covered area (SCA produced an estimate of the spatial distribution of SWE. The kriged estimates of snow depth explained 37-68% of the observed variance in the measured depths. Steep slopes, variably strong winds, and complex energy balance in the watershed contribute to a large degree of heterogeneity in snow depth.
| Publication type | Conference Paper |
|---|---|
| Publication Subtype | Conference Paper |
| Title | Using geostatistical methods to estimate snow water equivalence distribution in a mountain watershed |
| Year Published | 1998 |
| Language | English |
| Publisher | Western Snow Conference |
| Contributing office(s) | Fort Collins Science Center |
| Description | 12 p. |
| Larger Work Type | Conference Paper |
| Larger Work Subtype | Conference Paper |
| Larger Work Title | Proceedings of the 66th Annual Western Snow Conference |
| First page | 100 |
| Last page | 111 |
| Conference Title | Western Snow Conference |
| Conference Location | Snowbird, UT |
| Conference Date | April 1998 |
| Online Only (Y/N) | N |
| Additional Online Files (Y/N) | N |
| Google Analytic Metrics | Metrics page |