Establishing first year-normals on the basis of accumulated showfall snd some forecasts from runoff ratios

TitleEstablishing first year-normals on the basis of accumulated showfall snd some forecasts from runoff ratios
Publication TypeConference Proceedings
Year of Conference1937
AuthorsFarrow, R. C.
Conference Name5th Annual Western Interstate Snow Survey Conference
Series TitleProceedings of the 5th Annual Western Interstate Snow Survey Conference
Date PublishedJanuary 1938
PublisherAmerican Geophysical Union, Transactions, Part II:
Conference LocationDavis, California
KeywordsStatistical analysis, Water supply forecasting
Abstract

Three snow courses (one in each area) were laid out in 1937 at Glacier in the Selkirks, at Field in the Rockies, and at Fernie in the Southern Canadian Rockies. The location are near various precipitation stations whose data can be related to runoff at higher elevations. Sampling data from the 3 courses, the method used in obtaining a tentative first year normal, the mechanics of forecasting used, and the application of the forecast to points further downstream by use of runoff ratio factors are discussed. The percentage method is compared with the density method in establishing first-year snow course normals. It is concluded that a relationship between snowfall data and runoff is evident and that precipitation during runoff does not affect runoff. A refutation by Carl Elges of the density method is contained in the discussion. (See also SIP U1695 and WSC 35-37).