Physically-Based Point Snowmelt Model Application and its Spatial Distribution with Radiation Index Method in Turkey

The Euphrates Basin is largely fed from snow precipitation over the uplands of northern and eastern Turkey. For the improved management of sustained periods of high flows during the spring resulting from melting of the snowpack, a two-layer point model is applied to calculate snow ablation and melting in the Upper Karasu Basin, a tributary to the Euphrates in the eastern part of Turkey, during the 2002-2004 snow seasons. Metamorphism within the snowpack during accumulation and ablation are controlled by the energy of the snowpack; thus, for simulating the processes at the land-snow-atmosphere interface, the only strictly correct way is using an energy budget approach. All energy terms (radiation, turbulent and ground fluxes) are evaluated to understand the key processes that have a major impact on the snow simulation at a two-hourly time step. The model performance is evaluated comparing the results with observed snow water equivalent, snow depth and snow lysimeter yield.