Soil priming in relation to snow surveys and flood regulation (Abstract only) See TAGU, 1952, 34:240-248

TitleSoil priming in relation to snow surveys and flood regulation (Abstract only) See TAGU, 1952, 34:240-248
Publication TypeConference Proceedings
Year of Conference1952
AuthorsNelson, M. W., Wilm H. G., and Work R. A.
Conference Name20th Annual Western Snow Conference
Series TitleProceedings of the 20th Annual Western Snow Conference
Date PublishedApril 1952
PublisherWestern Snow Conference
Conference LocationSacramento, California
KeywordsSoil priming fall precipitation, Water supply forecasting
Abstract

Earlier analyses of techniques for water forecasting in the Columbia River Basin found both water yields and food discharges to be highly correlated with the water content of snow as determined by snow surveys, and with spring precipitation. The present study demonstrates that the addition of preceding fall precipitation expresses the degree of soil priming and the extent to which autumn affect in soil moisture are replenished by precipitation before the snowpack accumulates each winter. The inclusion of the soil-priming variable, as compared to previous analyses, made a 40% improvement in the standard error of the forecast made on April 1 of each year. Similar improvements in precision were observed for later forecasts made on May 1 and May 15.