The performance of a simple degree-day estimate of snow accumulation to an alpine watershed

R. A. Sommerfeld; Robert C. Musselman; G. L. Wooldridge; M. A. Conrad

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The performance of a simple degree-day estimate of snow accumulation to an alpine watershed

Informally Refereed

Authors:

R. A. Sommerfeld, Robert C. Musselman, G. L. Wooldridge, M. A. Conrad

Year:

1991

Type:

Paper

Station:

Rocky Mountain Research Station

Source:

In: Snow, Hydrology and Forests in High Alpine Areas (Proceedings of the Vienna Symposium, August 1991). IAHS Publ. No. 205. Wallingford, UK: International Association of Hydrological Sciences. p. 221-228.

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Abstract

We estimated the yearly snow accumulation to the Glacier Lakes Ecosystems Experiments Site (GLEES) for the winters of 1987-88, 1988-89, and 1989-90, using a simple degree-day model developed by J. Martinec and A. Rango. Comparisons with other data indicate that the estimates are accurate. In particular, a calibration with an intensive snow core-probe survey in 1989-90 agrees within the probable error of the survey, which was ± 6%.

Keywords

Glacier Lakes Ecosystems Experiments Site (GLEES), snow accumulation, alpine watershed

Citation

Sommerfeld, R. A.; Musselman, R. C.; Wooldridge, G. L.; Conrad, M. A. 1991. The performance of a simple degree-day estimate of snow accumulation to an alpine watershed. In: Snow, Hydrology and Forests in High Alpine Areas (Proceedings of the Vienna Symposium, August 1991). IAHS Publ. No. 205. Wallingford, UK: International Association of Hydrological Sciences. p. 221-228.