HR: 0800h
AN: C21B-0454    [Abstracts]
TI: An Assessment of SNODAS Data for Hydrologic Forecasting
AU: * Slater, A G
EM: aslater@cires.colorado.edu
AF: University of Colorado, NSIDC/CIRES Campus Box 449 University of Colorado, Boulder, CO 80309-0449, United States
AU: Clark, M P
EM: mp.clark@niwa.co.nz
AF: National Institute for Water and Atmospheric research,(NIWA), 10 Kyle St. Riccarton, Christchurch, 8011, New Zealand
AU: McCreight, J L
EM: mccreigh@nsidc.org
AF: University of Colorado, NSIDC/CIRES Campus Box 449 University of Colorado, Boulder, CO 80309-0449, United States
AB: The NOAA/NOHRSC SNODAS product is derived by ingesting a multitude of observations into a snow model that is run over a high resolution grid. Due to SNODAS applying all the practical snow observations currently available within it's assimilation strategy, few studies have been able to provide independent validation of the end products. As such, there is still a degree of uncertainty about SNODAS which has limited its utility in fields such as hydrologic forecasting. In this study, a validation, calibration and assimilation of the SNODAS output is undertaken. Using a catchment scale hydrologic model, TOPNET, we assess the utility of the SNODAS data within the problem of streamflow prediction. The snowmelt component of TOPNET is able to operate at different levels of complexity, from simple degree day mode right through to a full surface energy balance. SNODAS output variables such as snow water equivalent, snow temperature and snow melt are used in developing calibration objective functions for the TOPNET model. In a further application, these variables are assimilated directly into the TOPNET model. Results from TOPNET are compared to observed streamflow at the base of the catchment. The study is undertaken in the East Fork of the Carson River basin in California/Nevada, which is the site of the NOAA/NWS/OHD DMIP-2 experiment.
DE: 0736 Snow (1827, 1863)
DE: 0740 Snowmelt
DE: 0798 Modeling
DE: 1860 Streamflow
SC: Cryosphere [C]
MN: 2007 Fall Meeting