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Geostatistical methods for estimating snowmelt contribution to the seasonal water balance in an alpine watershed

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dc.contributor.authorHultstrand, Douglas M., author
dc.contributor.authorFassnacht, Steven R., advisor
dc.contributor.authorStednick, John, advisor
dc.contributor.authorDoesken, Nolan, committee member
dc.contributor.authorMusselman, Robert, committee member
dc.date.accessioned2021-08-24T16:23:35Z
dc.date.available2021-08-24T16:23:35Z
dc.date.issued2006
dc.description.abstractThe performance of nine spatial interpolation models was evaluated to estimate snowmelt contributions to streamflow in the West Glacier Lake watershed (0.61 km2), in the Snowy Range Mountains of Wyoming. Streamflow from the West Glacier Lake watershed has been previously estimated at 40% to 130% greater than measured precipitation inputs. Additional input into the watershed had been attributed to a permanent snowfield in the upper portion of the watershed covering approximately 2.4% of the watershed area. However, the excess output may be a result of inaccurate estimation of water quantities using current precipitation and stream gauging methods. In April 2005, near peak accumulation snow depth measurements and snow density measurements were collected within West Glacier Lake watershed. The distribution of snow water equivalent (SWE) was calculated as the product of snow depth, snow density, and snow-covered-area (SCA). Snow depths were spatially distributed throughout the watershed through nine spatial interpolation models. Snow densities were spatially distributed through a multiple linear regression. The nine spatial snow depth models explained 18% to 94% of the observed variance in the measured snow depths. Co-kriging with solar radiation produced the best results explaining 94% of the observed variance in snow depth measurements. The annual water balance, expressed as equivalent water depths for water year 2005, was total precipitation (1,481 mm), snowpack sublimation (251 mm), and streamflow (1,000 mm), resulting in an evapotranspiration estimate of 230 mm. Estimated SWE from the field survey data was 67% greater than precipitation gauge estimates and accounted for 85% of the annual streamflow. Summer precipitation was not a significant contributor to the annual hydrograph and was also less than snowpack sublimation. Precipitation gauge values were unrepresentative of actual precipitation depths, and several spatially distributed snow depth models provided better estimates of precipitation inputs.
dc.format.mediumborn digital
dc.format.mediummasters theses
dc.identifier.urihttps://hdl.handle.net/10217/233658
dc.languageEnglish
dc.language.isoeng
dc.publisherColorado State University. Libraries
dc.relationCatalog record number (MMS ID): 991023631789703361
dc.relationGB991.W8H867 2006
dc.relation.ispartof2000-2019
dc.rightsCopyright and other restrictions may apply. User is responsible for compliance with all applicable laws. For information about copyright law, please see https://libguides.colostate.edu/copyright.
dc.titleGeostatistical methods for estimating snowmelt contribution to the seasonal water balance in an alpine watershed
dc.typeText
dcterms.rights.dplaThis Item is protected by copyright and/or related rights (https://rightsstatements.org/vocab/InC/1.0/). You are free to use this Item in any way that is permitted by the copyright and related rights legislation that applies to your use. For other uses you need to obtain permission from the rights-holder(s).
thesis.degree.disciplineForest, Rangeland, and Watershed Stewardship
thesis.degree.grantorColorado State University
thesis.degree.levelMasters
thesis.degree.nameMaster of Science (M.S.)

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