Snow accumulation under various forest stand densities at Tenderfoot Creek Experimental Forest, Montana, USA

Abstract

Snow accumulation in forested watersheds is controlled by climate, elevation, topographic factors and vegetation structure. Conifers affect snow accumulation principally by intercepting snow with the canopy which may later be sublimated. Various tree, stand, species and canopy densities of a subalpine fir habitat (ALBANASC) in central Montana were studied to determine if there was a response of snow accumulation to vegetation. Tree canopy cover, basal area, age since stand initiation, and species composition were measured at several sites with minimal topographic differences. Peak snow water equivalent was measured at 270 sample points within 8 stands divided between 3 study areas and at three corresponding open meadows. The study took place during the winter of 1995-1996 on the Tenderfoot Creek Experimental Forest in the Little Belt Mountains near Great Falls, Montana. It is administered by the USDA Rocky Mountain Research Station.

Citation

Moore, Chadwick A.; McCaughey, Ward W. 1997. Snow accumulation under various forest stand densities at Tenderfoot Creek Experimental Forest, Montana, USA. In: 65th annual meeting, western snow conference: joint meeting with the 54th annual eastern snow conference and Canadian Geophysical Union.; 1997 May 4-8; Banff, Alberta, Canada. Brush Prairie, WA: Western Snow Conference. p. 42-51.