The use of aerial photographs of snow depth markers in water supply forecasting

Snow depth markers are placed at inaccessible locations to obtain snow depth by aerial photographs and visual observations. This data is related information from an accessible snow course, at similar elevation, where depth, water content and density are available. The density is then used to obtain the water content at the MARKER station. Many marker stations can be read in a single flight and in a few hours. A minimum of cost and time is expended to obtain much more data. This information is used in water supply forecasting and in weather modification evaluation. Photographs depict the style of the markers and locations being used. Graphs indicate the comparison of both types of data from the same location.