Estimating snow course water equivalent from SNOTEL pillow telemetry: an analysis of accuracy

TitleEstimating snow course water equivalent from SNOTEL pillow telemetry: an analysis of accuracy
Publication TypeConference Proceedings
Year of Conference1986
AuthorsPalmer, P. L.
Conference Name54th Annual Western Snow Conference
Series TitleProceedings of the 54th Annual Western Snow Conference
Date PublishedApril 1986
PublisherWestern Snow Conference
Conference LocationPhoenix, Arizona
KeywordsEstimating snow course data, SNOTEL, Snow course, Snow pillow
Abstract

Regression analysis between SCS SNOTEL snow pillow and manually measured snow course data allows estimates of snow course water equivalent to be made directly from pillow telemetry. The regression equations were based on data collected over a five year period at 62 snow data collection sites in Idaho.Actual snow course measurements taken during the 1985 snow season were compared to estimates made from snow pillow telemetry. The residuals were divided into accumulation season and melt season categories. In both cases, errors were normally distributed around the mean. Accumulation season estimates had an average absolute error of 5.6 percent and a standard deviation of 9.5 percent. During the melt season, errors were higher and more widely distributed, with an average absolute error 11.8 pecent and standard deviation of 21.4 percent. This analysis provides the necessary relationship to update streamflow forecasts at any time of the month using real-time telemetered data. Examination of estimating error provides a basis for sensitivity analysis of forecasts based on telemetered data.

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