A spatially distributed energy balance snowmelt model for application in mountain basins

TitleA spatially distributed energy balance snowmelt model for application in mountain basins
Publication TypeConference Proceedings
Year of Conference1998
AuthorsMarks, D., Domingo J., Susong D., and Garen D. C.
Conference Name66th Annual Western Snow Conference
Series TitleProceedings of the 66th Annual Western Snow Conference
Date PublishedApril 1998
PublisherWestern Snow Conference
Conference LocationSnowbird, Utah
KeywordsEnergy balance, ISNOBAL, Mass balance, Modeling, SNOBAL
Abstract

Snowmelt is the principal source for soil moisture, ground-water recharge, and stream-flow in mountainous regions of the western U.S. Information on the timing, magnitude, and contributing area of melt under variable or changing climate conditions is required for successful water and resource management. A coupled energy and mass-balance model was used to simulate the development and melting of the seasonal snowcover in several mountain basins in California, Idaho, and Utah. Simulations were done over basins varying from 1 to 10,000 km2, with simulation periods varying from a few weeks for the smallest basin, to multiple snow seasons for the larger basins. The model, ISNOBAL, is a spatially distributed form of the model SNOBAL, which was described in great detail by Marks, et al. (1998).

URLsites/westernsnowconference.org/PDFs/1998Marks.pdf