Laboratory simulation of snowmelt

Snowmelt is the major input to high flow runoff in the Fraser River system, and is necessary to have good understanding of factors effecting snowmelt before an adequate flow forecasting system can be constructed. To study the basic physics of snowmelt, a type of low speed wind tunnel has been built in which temperature, humidity and radiation can be controlled and melt rates of 16 cu. Ft. samples of snow can be measured.Results of some of these experiments are presented and the validity of such small scale tests to the calculation of melt rates in the large scale natural situations is discussed.