HR: 0830h
AN: C41B-0950    [PDF]
TI: Snow Water Equivalent Predictions for Hydrologic Model Input and Simulation
AU: * Carroll, R W
EM: rcarroll@dri.edu
AF: Desert Research Institute, Division of Hydrologic Sciences 2215 Raggio Parkway, Reno, NV 89512 United States
AB: A multiple regression equation was developed to describe temporal and spatial variability of daily snow water equivalent (SWE) in Lake Tahoe's Incline Creek watershed. SWE maps of the basin are needed for parameterization of the physically-based Alpine Hydrochemical Model (AHM) to simulate basin hydrology and solute transport. SWE maps allow for calculation of snow covered area, snowfall, and potential snowmelt needed for AHM input. SWE data collected during 2002's peak snow accumulation were used in conjunction with data from three local SNOTEL stations to calibrate the regression equation. Calibration was conducted during a dry and average water year using the sum of least squares. The multiple-regression is dependent on elevation, aspect, slope, vegetation density and solar radiation and is normalized by the average SWE measured at the three SNOTEL sites. Basin-wide computations were done at 30 m resolution in ArcView to generate daily SWE maps. Normalized error was added to predictions from the regression equation to mimic the variability in the observed data. Verification was performed at the three SNOTEL sites for a wet year and another average year. Stream response is highly dependent on SWE distribution and associated melt rates such that hydrologic model results allow evaluation of the SWE interpolation technique.
DE: 1827 Glaciology (1863)
DE: 1836 Hydrologic budget (1655)
DE: 1860 Runoff and streamflow
SC: Cryosphere [C]
MN: 2003 Fall Meeting