Soil Type and Site Location Impacts on Soil Moisture Data Collection at High-Elevation SNOTEL Sites

TitleSoil Type and Site Location Impacts on Soil Moisture Data Collection at High-Elevation SNOTEL Sites
Publication TypeConference Proceedings
Year of Conference2005
AuthorsJulaner, R. P., and Holcombe J.
Conference Name73rd Annual Western Snow Conference
Series TitleProceedings of the 73rd Annual Western Snow Conference
Date PublishedApril 2005
PublisherWestern Snow Conference
Conference LocationGreat Falls, MT
KeywordsNRCS, SNOTEL, soil moisture sensors, soil profile, topographic convergence, elevation
Abstract

The Natural Resources Conservation Service has recently begun the installation of soil moisture sensors at SNOTEL sites in the western United States in an effort to better characterize watershed hydrology pertaining to snowmelt runoff. Most research in the movement of water through a soil profile has been done in agricultural settings where topography is relatively flat, vegetation is relatively homogenous, and soils are typically fine textured and deep. This paper attempts to document some of the anomalies encountered in soil moisture data from mountainous sites and link them to potential site physical characteristics such as topographic convergence or divergence, distance to bedrock, and elevation, as well as soil type and texture.

URLsites/westernsnowconference.org/PDFs/2005JulanderA.pdf