Snowpack Monitoring: Past, Present, and Future

James H. Porter, Ph.D.NYCDEP

19 September 2013Watershed Science and Technical Conference

Hotel Thayer, West Point, NY

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NYCDEP Snowpack Monitoring

We used to do it.We still do it.We’re gonna keep doing it.

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NYCDEP Snowpack Monitoring

The End.

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Why measure snow?

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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

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Collaboration with NWS

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Collaboration with NWS

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History

Program started in 1930s Data from 1960s to presentMelted-snow methodNEED PHOTO OF WATER SUPPLY NEWS WITH

MENTION OF SNOW SURVEY…OR SOMETHING…

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Present

Snow Cores

Snow Pillows

Passive Gamma Monitoring (GMON)

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Sites

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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

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Snow Core Method

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Snow Core Method

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Snow Core Method

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Snow Core Method

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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

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Original Snow Pillow Design

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Original Snow Pillow Design

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Load Cell Pillow – Prototype

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Load Cell Pillow – Modified Design

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Load Cell Pillow – Modified Design

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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

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Passive Gamma Monitoring

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Passive Gamma Monitoring

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Passive Gamma Monitoring

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Passive Gamma Sensor: GMON

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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!