Snowpack Monitoring: Past, Present, and Future
James H. Porter, Ph.D.NYCDEP
19 September 2013Watershed 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 reservoirsRequired for reservoir operations under FFMP
Transitioning to runoff model system using OSTUsed 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 presentMelted-snow methodNEED 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
22
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
Nanoscale GPR
Nanoscale GPR
Satellite Measurements and Modeling
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
Thank You!