Selection of best snow course points

The hypotheses that 5 measurements should be enough to characterize the water content of the snow course and that the MEDIAN of 5 measurements should provide almost as good an index to the snow water equivalent as would their mean. Tests were made and verified by analysis in detail the individual measurements on a typical 19 point Sierra Nevada snow course for the last 15 years of record. The history and reliability of such snow course measurements are discussed.In discussion Mr. C.G. Wolfe and Mr. J.F. Hannaford defend the views of the field man's point of view that snow survey courses of fewer point samples would prove more economical and should provide safety point of view.Also the office forecaster would much rather have 5 samples taken at 500 or 1000 feet intervals up a basin, rather than 15 or 20 taken at one altitude.