Correlation of headwater streams of the North Continental Divide

TitleCorrelation of headwater streams of the North Continental Divide
Publication TypeConference Proceedings
Year of Conference1939
AuthorsMonson, O. W.
Conference Name7th Annual Western Interstate Snow Survey Conference
Series TitleProceedings of the 7th Annual Western Interstate Snow Survey Conference
Date PublishedDecember 1938
PublisherAmerican Geophysical Union, Transactions, Part I:
Conference LocationSpokane, Washington
KeywordsStatistical methods, Water supply forecasting
Abstract

Snow surveys as an index to volume of runoff is shown to be most reliable on high elevation watersheds where the bulk of the runoff comes from melting snow. A historical record of snow survey data and a parallel record of runoff data are necessary with sufficient years of record to show the possible variation of the dependent and independent variables, runoff and snow respectively. Statistical methods are used to provide a degree of correlation by solving for the correlation coefficient (rxy) snow survey data from one or more courses as (x) and the seasonal runoff (May 1-Sept.30) (y). Results of a study made on several basins are shown in tables. A regression equation is built of the snow courses that show the highest correlation coefficients with runoff and used as a forecasting tool, rather than a graphical solution.