Prediction of seasonal snowmelt runoff in the Okanagan Valley

The direct evaluation of groundwater recharge in the forested parts of Carrs Landing Drainage should provide a means of improving the seasonal runoff prediction in the Okanagan Valley Watershed. The evaluation of groundwater recharge based on water level fluctuations will only have a long-range forecasting utility if it can be obtained below elevation that generate the major portion of the regional runoff and if it can be obtained in advance of the winter snowmelt inflow. The direct evaluation of recharge can interpret the effect of autumn rainfall and the effects of the rate of snowmelt priming. The forecast cannot account for additional factors that will control the melt of the heavier snowpack at higher elevations. Seasonal inflow forecasting will have to rely on statistical techniques early in the inflow season, since the evaluation of groundwater recharge can only be made after the snow has melted at the 3000 foot elevation.