History of snow surveying in the west

A chronological history of snow surveying as originated by Dr. James E. Church Jr. at the University of Nevada is outlined. This work began in 1906 with the measurement of high mountain temperatures and other climatological factors on Mount Rose, Nevada, with the Nevada Agricultural Experiment Station cooperation. The development of new instruments for measuring the snow water equivalent (water content) of the snowpack in 1909 is described. A description of the application of snow water content to water supply forecasting is presented. A resume of the importance of water supply forecasting to irrigation in the West and hydroelectric power development, reservoir regulation, flood control and water management is presented. A discussion by William A. Lang points out interesting historical details of organization and instrument development. Additional historical notations are mentioned by Walter Hopkins.