Interpreting snow survey data for use in environmental planning

Historically the Snow Survey Program has been directed toward gathering and processing of snow survey data to provide timely and accurate forecasts of forthcoming water supplies. In recent years the wealth of data gathered and cataloged in this program has become of even greater value. Mounting pressures of industrial , urban, and recreational development in the foothills and mountains of the West have resulted in planners and mangers demanding more extensive climatological and hydrological information than has hitherto been available. Snow hydrologists in the snow survey program responding to this need are providing answers to many of their requests. Planners are being given help in such diverse areas as reservoir management, snow loads, snowfall, and snow depths, ski and snowmobile area evaluations, mountain hydrology, and average annual precipaitation. Much has been accomplished in the field in interpretations for planning but much remains to be done.