Snow and ice in Caribou-Poker creeks research watershed, central Alaska. (Abstract only)

TitleSnow and ice in Caribou-Poker creeks research watershed, central Alaska. (Abstract only)
Publication TypeConference Proceedings
Year of Conference1983
AuthorsSlaughter, C. W.
Conference Name51st Annual Western Snow Conference
Series TitleProceedings of the 51st Annual Western Snow Conference
Date PublishedApril 1983
PublisherWestern Snow Conference
Conference LocationVancouver, Washington
KeywordsAlaska, Aufeis, Snow cover
Abstract

Seasonal snow and ice study has been conducted in the 104-sq km Caribou-Poker Creeks Research Watershed, (Latitude 65 10 N) since 1969. Three standard snow courses and one snow pillow installed in 1969 are operated by the Institute of Northern Forestry, USDA Forest Service (in cooperation with Soil Conservation Service). Snow accumulation was measured annually on 1000-M 'transects' at four locations on north- and south-facing slopes from 1970-75. A special study of snowpack drifting at Caribou Peak (773 M elevation) was conducted in 1975-76. The research basin provides good examples of both 'taiga' snow (extensive depth hoar development, density <0.20 g/cu cm) and of 'tundra' snow (extensive drifting, reworking, and wind-packing, density up to 0.45 g/cu cm). Extensive seasonal ice (aufeis) forms in the valleys of this research basin during most winters. Aufeis can impound up to 40% of total winter streamflow as solid-state storage, with local accumulations up to 3+ m thich and occupying an entire valley floodplain.

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