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Snowpack Monitoring: Past, Present, and Future

Explore the historical background, current methods, and future initiatives of snowpack monitoring by NYCDEP. Discover the significance of snow data and collaborations with NWS for water resource management. Learn about snow cores, pillows, and passive gamma monitoring. Future endeavors include nanoscale GPR and satellite measurements for improved accuracy in snow cover estimation.

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Snowpack Monitoring: Past, Present, and Future

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  1. Snowpack Monitoring: Past, Present, and Future James H. Porter, Ph.D. NYCDEP 19 September 2013 Watershed Science and Technical Conference Hotel Thayer, West Point, NY

  2. NYCDEP Snowpack Monitoring • We used to do it. • We still do it. • We’re gonna keep doing it.

  3. NYCDEP Snowpack Monitoring The End.

  4. Why measure snow?

  5. Uses of Snow Data • Estimate potential runoff into reservoirs • Required for reservoir operations under FFMP • Transitioning to runoff model system using OST • Used under Ashokan Interim Operating Protocol • Climate change assessment • Shared with NWS to assist river forecasting

  6. Collaboration with NWS

  7. Collaboration with NWS

  8. History • Program started in 1930s • Data from 1960s to present • Melted-snow method • NEED PHOTO OF WATER SUPPLY NEWS WITH MENTION OF SNOW SURVEY…OR SOMETHING…

  9. Present • Snow Cores • Snow Pillows • Passive Gamma Monitoring (GMON)

  10. Sites

  11. Snow Cores • Follow Natural Resources Conservation Service protocol • Mt. Rose snow tubes • Biweekly – Northeast Regional Climate Center schedule • Supplemental surveys if deemed necessary • Data shared with many stakeholders and NOAA NWS

  12. Snow Core Method

  13. Snow Core Method

  14. Snow Core Method

  15. Snow Core Method

  16. Snow Pillows • Measure water equivalent of snowpack • Developed in the 1960s • SNOTEL network in western U.S. • Used antifreeze • New design measures weight of water – no antifreeze • Note data shared with NWS, show NOHRSC table and some plots

  17. Original Snow Pillow Design

  18. Original Snow Pillow Design

  19. Load Cell Pillow – Prototype

  20. Load Cell Pillow – Modified Design

  21. Load Cell Pillow – Modified Design

  22. Load Cell Pillow – Modified Design • Provide near-real-time data • Data shared with NWS • Current: 14 stations • Future: 35 stations • Several year effort • Working with NWS on locations

  23. Passive Gamma Monitoring

  24. Passive Gamma Monitoring

  25. Passive Gamma Monitoring

  26. Passive Gamma Sensor: GMON

  27. Future Initiatives • Nanoscale ground penetrating radar • Satellite measurements coupled to models

  28. Nanoscale GPR

  29. Nanoscale GPR

  30. Satellite Measurements and Modeling

  31. Satellite Measurements and Modeling • Objective: develop methodology to use remotely sensed data in combination with in situ observations to provide the most accurate possible estimate of snow cover in the New York City water supply basins • Satellite data: AMSR and MODIS products • DEP snow pillows • DEP biweekly measurements • Intensive, targeted snow surveys by CUNY students • NWS National Snow Analysis products

  32. Thank You!

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