Using geostatistical methods to estimate snow water equivalence distribution in a mountain watershed
Title | Using geostatistical methods to estimate snow water equivalence distribution in a mountain watershed |
Publication Type | Conference Proceedings |
Year of Conference | 1998 |
Authors | Balk, B., Elder K., and Baron J. |
Conference Name | 66th Annual Western Snow Conference |
Series Title | Proceedings of the 66th Annual Western Snow Conference |
Date Published | April 1998 |
Publisher | Western Snow Conference |
Conference Location | Snowbird, Utah |
Keywords | Snow accumulation, Snow covered area, Snow density, Snow depth, Statistical analysis |
Abstract | Knowledge of the spatial distribution of snow water equivalence (SWE) is necessary to adequately forecastthe volume and timing of snowmelt runoff. In April 1997, peak accumulation snow depth and density measurements were independently taken in the Loch Vale watershed (6.6 km2), Rocky Mountain National Park, Colorado. Geostatistics and classical statistics were used to estimate SWE distribution across the watershed. Snow depths were spatially distributed across the watershed through kriging interpolation methods which provide unbiased estimates that have minimum variances. Snow densities were spatially modeled through regression analysis. Combining the modeled depth and density with snow-covered area (SCA) produced an estimate of the spatial distribution of SWE. The kriged estimates of snow depth explained 37-68% of the observed variance in the measured depths. Steep slopes, variably strong winds, and complex energy balance in the watershed contribute to a large degree of heterogeneity in snow depth. |
URL | sites/westernsnowconference.org/PDFs/1998Balk.pdf |