Snow accumulation and subsequent melt during rainfall in forested and clearcut plots in western Oregon

TitleSnow accumulation and subsequent melt during rainfall in forested and clearcut plots in western Oregon
Publication TypeConference Proceedings
Year of Conference1983
AuthorsHarr, R. D., and Berris S. N.
Conference Name51st Annual Western Snow Conference
Series TitleProceedings of the 51st Annual Western Snow Conference
Date PublishedApril 1983
PublisherWestern Snow Conference
Conference LocationVancouver, Washington
KeywordsClearcut logging, Energy balance, Interception, Snow, Snowmelt
Abstract

In 16 snowfalls, there were large differences in the accumulation and melting of snow between forested and clearcut plots. Prior to a 36-h melt period examined in detail, snow in the forest had already melted; snow reached the forest floor mainly as meltwater from canopy interception. Total water input (rainfall plus snowmelt and condensate) in the 36-h period was 57 mm in the clearcut plot compared to only 12 mm in the forested plot. Combined sensible and latent heat transfer accounted for nearly two thirds of total melt in the clearcut plot. Melt estimated by United States Army Corps of Engineers indices agreed well with measured melt.

URLsites/westernsnowconference.org/PDFs/1983Harr.pdf