Cost-benefit analysis of airborne gamma radiation snow water equivalent data used in snowmelt flood forecasting

TitleCost-benefit analysis of airborne gamma radiation snow water equivalent data used in snowmelt flood forecasting
Publication TypeConference Proceedings
Year of Conference1986
AuthorsCarroll, T.
Conference Name54th Annual Western Snow Conference
Series TitleProceedings of the 54th Annual Western Snow Conference
Date PublishedApril 1986
PublisherWestern Snow Conference
Conference LocationPhoenix, Arizona
KeywordsAirborne snow water equivalent, Cost-benefit analysis, Gamma radiation, Remote sensing, Snowmelt Flooding
Abstract

The paper briefly discusses (1) the technique used to make airborne snow water equivalent measurements using natural terrestrial gamma radiation, (2) the errors associated with airborne measurements made over agricultural areas, (3) an estimate of the marginal and total costs to conduct the February 1985 airborne snow survey over Indiana, Michigan, and Ohio, and (4) the dollar benefits directly attributable to the airborne snow survey.Additionally, an estimate of the 1982 flood costs and the subsequent flood protection plans implemented later are discussed. An estimate of the 1985 flood costs is given with and without the implementation of the 1982 flood protection plan and the 1985 airborne snow survey. The various costs associated with the airborne snow survey conducted over the three state region are summarized and contrasted with the dollar benefits obtained as a result of the early flood warnings and forecasts for the city of Fort Wayne and surrounding counties.

URLsites/westernsnowconference.org/PDFs/1986Carroll.pdf