snowcover interaction with climate, topography ... · rcew (239 km2):): • 32 climate stations •...

Snowcover interaction with Snowcover interaction with climate, topography & vegetation climate, topography & vegetation

in mountain catchmentsin mountain catchments

DDANNYANNY MMARKSARKS

Northwest Watershed Research CenterNorthwest Watershed Research CenterUSDAUSDA--Agricultural Research ServiceAgricultural Research Service

Boise, IdahoBoise, IdahoUSAUSA

RCEW (239 kmRCEW (239 km22):):•• 32 climate stations32 climate stations•• 36 precipitation stations36 precipitation stations•• 5 EC systems5 EC systems•• 14 weirs (nested)14 weirs (nested)•• 6 soil microclimate stations6 soil microclimate stations•• 4 hill4 hill--slope hydrology sitesslope hydrology sites•• 4 instrumented catchments4 instrumented catchments•• 3 instrumented headwater 3 instrumented headwater basins:basins:

USCUSC (0.25 km(0.25 km22,, 186m relief) 186m relief) ephemeral, groundwater dominated, ephemeral, groundwater dominated, annual precipitation 300annual precipitation 300--500mm500mm

RMERME (0.38 km(0.38 km22, 116m relief) , 116m relief) perennial, surface water dominated, perennial, surface water dominated, annual precipitation 750annual precipitation 750--1000mm1000mm

Johnston DrawJohnston Draw (1.8 km(1.8 km22, 380m relief) , 380m relief) ephemeral, rainephemeral, rain--snow boundary, snow boundary, annual precipitation 500annual precipitation 500--600mm600mm

Climate Trends from 45 Years of Climate Trends from 45 Years of Monitoring at Reynolds Creek Monitoring at Reynolds Creek

Experimental WatershedExperimental Watershed


PhD project, PhD project, AANURAGNURAG NNAYAKAYAK(Utah State University)(Utah State University)



127

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076

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Annual PrecipitationAnnual PrecipitationElevation: 2097 m (176)Elevation: 2097 m (176)

Elevation: 1652 m (127)Elevation: 1652 m (127)

Elevation: 1207 m (076)Elevation: 1207 m (076)

No No Significant Significant TrendTrend

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33 ))

Annual Stream DischargeAnnual Stream DischargeRME (2023 m, Drainage: 39 ha)RME (2023 m, Drainage: 39 ha)

Tollgate (1410 m, Drainage: 5,468 ha)Tollgate (1410 m, Drainage: 5,468 ha)

Outlet (1099 m, Drainage: 23,828 ha)Outlet (1099 m, Drainage: 23,828 ha)

No SignificantNo Significant

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RME (2023 m, Drainage: 39 ha)RME (2023 m, Drainage: 39 ha)

Tollgate (1410 m, Drainage: 5,468 ha)Tollgate (1410 m, Drainage: 5,468 ha)

Outlet (1099 m, Drainage: 23,828 ha)Outlet (1099 m, Drainage: 23,828 ha)

% Annual Stream Discharge, by Month% Annual Stream Discharge, by MonthMarchMarch, , AprilApril, , MayMay & & JuneJune (78(78--95% of Annual Flow)95% of Annual Flow)

Headwater Catchment:Headwater Catchment:MarchMarch +3%+3%AprilApril +14%+14%MayMay --------------JuneJune --11%11%

MidMid--Elevation Drainage:Elevation Drainage:MarchMarch +1%+1%AprilApril +12%+12%MayMay +1%+1%JuneJune --5%5%

Basin Outlet:Basin Outlet:MarchMarch --------------AprilApril +4%+4%MayMay +12%+12%JuneJune --1%1%

Summer Flow:Summer Flow:Reduced fromReduced from

9% to 3%9% to 3%

67% Reduction67% Reduction

Summer Flow:Summer Flow:Reduced fromReduced from21% to 10%21% to 10%


Summer Flow:Summer Flow:Reduced fromReduced from27% to 12%27% to 12%


+ 2.5+ 2.5::--0.6 to +1.90.6 to +1.9

+ 2.7+ 2.7::+2.5 to +5.2+2.5 to +5.2

+ 1.4+ 1.4::+1.7 to +3.1+1.7 to +3.1

+ 2.4+ 2.4::+7.9 to +10.3+7.9 to +10.3

+ 0.9+ 0.9::+11.8 to +12.7+11.8 to +12.7

+ 0.9+ 0.9::15.4 to 16.315.4 to 16.3

Snow: Snow: --16%:16%:80% to 62%80% to 62%

Snow: Snow: --17%:17%:55% to 38%55% to 38%

Snow: Snow: --22%:22%:41% to 19%41% to 19%

Still SnowStill SnowDominatedDominated

Now RainNow RainDominatedDominated

Almost NeverAlmost NeverSnowsSnows

•• Annual precipitation & discharge are unchangedAnnual precipitation & discharge are unchanged–– However, early spring flows are increasedHowever, early spring flows are increased–– Summer flows are significantly reducedSummer flows are significantly reduced

•• Climate is warmingClimate is warming–– All temperatures have increasedAll temperatures have increased–– Minimum temperatures increased the mostMinimum temperatures increased the most

•• More precipitation falls as rainMore precipitation falls as rain–– Smaller change at high elevationSmaller change at high elevation–– Large change at low elevationLarge change at low elevation

•• Strong elevation effectStrong elevation effect–– Effects availability of water in summerEffects availability of water in summer–– More area at lower elevationMore area at lower elevation–– Increase in winter ROS eventsIncrease in winter ROS events

Reynolds Creek Experimental WatershedReynolds Creek Experimental Watershed

Tollgate BasinArea: 54.6 km2

Elev: 1410 - 2241 m

Scaling up to TollgateScaling up to Tollgate

Snow & Hydrologic Modeling:Snow & Hydrologic Modeling:Simulation of terrain and forest Simulation of terrain and forest shelter effects on wind fields, shelter effects on wind fields,

patterns of snow redistribution, patterns of snow redistribution, snowmelt and runoffsnowmelt and runoff


PhD project, PhD project, AADAMDAM WWINSTRALINSTRAL(University of Reading, UK)(University of Reading, UK)



Snow Redistribution and DriftingSnow Redistribution and Drifting

Drifts and Forest Cover, RCEWDrifts and Forest Cover, RCEW

Forest CanopyForest Canopy-- Snowcover InteractionSnowcover Interaction

Reynolds Mountain East Study CatchmentReynolds Mountain East Study Catchment(0.38 km(0.38 km22, 118 m relief), 118 m relief)

The Ridge SiteThe Ridge Site

The Grove SiteThe Grove Site

Four Snow Seasons Selected for SimulationFour Snow Seasons Selected for Simulation

1986, 1987, 1989 for SCA Data1986, 1987, 1989 for SCA Data

1997 for ROS Event1997 for ROS Event

I.I. Verify Simulated Snow DistributionsVerify Simulated Snow Distributions

* Time* Time--series APseries AP

II. Evaluate Terrain & Vegetation Shelter Effects onII. Evaluate Terrain & Vegetation Shelter Effects on

* Simulated Snow Cover Energy Balance* Simulated Snow Cover Energy Balance

* Snow Melt* Snow Melt

* Runoff* Runoff

Modeled and Observed SWE (Point Comparison)Modeled and Observed SWE (Point Comparison)

1986 Simulated Snow Distribution1986 Simulated Snow Distribution

Aerial Photos

ModeledSWE


Aerial Photos

Modeled SWE:spatially constant

wind and precipitation inputs

1986 Simulated Surface Water Inputs1986 Simulated Surface Water InputsSpatially Distributed Windand Precipitation Inputs

Spatially Constant Windand Precipitation Inputs


Aerial Photos

ModeledSWE

1987 Simulated Surface Water Inputs1987 Simulated Surface Water Inputs


Aerial Photos

ModeledSWE

1989 Simulated Surface Water Inputs1989 Simulated Surface Water Inputs

1997 Simulated Surface Water Inputs and SWE1997 Simulated Surface Water Inputs and SWE

MidMid--winter ROS: winter ROS: Sensible + Latent HeatSensible + Latent Heat dominateddominated

Early spring wind event: Early spring wind event: Sensible HeatSensible Heat dominateddominated

Typical spring melt event: Typical spring melt event: RadiationRadiation dominateddominated

Simulated Simulated Daily SWEDaily SWE

1986 Snow Season1986 Snow Season

View movie at http://www.usask.ca/ip3/download/presentations/swe_movie.avi

Boise River Basin (2150 kmBoise River Basin (2150 km22))1998 Water Year1998 Water Year

• Large Area Climate Data Distribution• Canopy Corrections• Satellite Derived Snow Covered Area for Verification• Streamflow Simulation

DDANNYANNY MMAARRKSKS and Dand DAVIDAVID GGARENAREN*

* * National Water and Climate CenterNational Water and Climate CenterUSDAUSDA--Natural Resources Conservation ServiceNatural Resources Conservation Service

Portland, Oregon, USAPortland, Oregon, USA

Boise River Snow Water EquivalentBoise River Snow Water EquivalentWater Year 1998Water Year 1998

Atlanta Town (1649 m)

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Graham Guard Station (1734 m)

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Mores Creek Summit (1859 m)

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Jackson Peak (2155 m)

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Atlanta Summit (2310 m)

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Trinity Mountain (2368 m)

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Simulated and Satellite Simulated and Satellite Snow Covered Area (SCA)Snow Covered Area (SCA)

Boise River Basin, Water Year 1998Boise River Basin, Water Year 1998

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Boise River Simulated Snow Water Equivalent Boise River Simulated Snow Water Equivalent and Satellite Snow Covered Area (SCA)and Satellite Snow Covered Area (SCA)

21 April 199821 April 1998


7 May 19987 May 1998

Boise River Simulated Snow Water Equivalent and Boise River Simulated Snow Water Equivalent and Satellite Snow Covered Area (SCA)Satellite Snow Covered Area (SCA)

21 May 199821 May 1998


29 June 199829 June 1998

Boise River Streamflow SimulationBoise River Streamflow SimulationWater Year 1998Water Year 1998

Comparing sensible and Comparing sensible and latent heat fluxes over snow latent heat fluxes over snow

along a North American along a North American Cordilleran TransectCordilleran Transect

DDANNYANNY MMARKSARKS & John Pomeroy& John Pomeroy

Students: Students: MMicheleichele RRebaeba (U of I)(U of I)

Warren Helgason (U of S)Warren Helgason (U of S)Dan Bewley (U of Wales)Dan Bewley (U of Wales)



WCRB: Wolf Creek Research Basin,Yukon Territory, Canada

RCEW: Reynolds Creek Experimental Watershed,Idaho, USA

LSOS: Local Scale Observation SiteColorado, USA

WCRB

LSOSRCEW

GAPP North American Cordilleran TransectGAPP North American Cordilleran Transect

MCRB

MCRB: Marmot Creek Research BasinAlberta, Canada

LSOS

RCEW

MCRB

WCRB

RME Study SiteRME Study Site

Reynolds Mountain East

The GroveThe Grove

The Protected SiteThe Protected Site

The RidgeThe Ridge

The Exposed SiteThe Exposed Site

Exposed SiteExposed Site Protected SiteProtected Site

WY 2005 Monthly ECWY 2005 Monthly EC--Measured H & Measured H & LLvvEEOver Sage and Below Aspen:Over Sage and Below Aspen:

WY 2005 Monthly ECWY 2005 Monthly EC--Measured COMeasured CO22 & ET& ETOver Sage and Below Aspen:Over Sage and Below Aspen:

•• First fullFirst full--year measurements of evaporation/transpirationyear measurements of evaporation/transpiration–– ~33% (211 mm) of 2005 deposition (630 mm) lost to ET ~33% (211 mm) of 2005 deposition (630 mm) lost to ET

over sageover sage–– ~10% (90 mm) of 2005 deposition (879 mm) lost to ET ~10% (90 mm) of 2005 deposition (879 mm) lost to ET

below aspenbelow aspen

•• First measurements of First measurements of Carbon fluxCarbon flux–– Sage site close to balance, but lost carbon to atmosphereSage site close to balance, but lost carbon to atmosphere–– Below aspen site took carbon from the atmosphereBelow aspen site took carbon from the atmosphere–– Critical to get Above Aspen DataCritical to get Above Aspen Data

•• Data only for 2005 water year; add 2004 & 2006 dataData only for 2005 water year; add 2004 & 2006 data

Preliminary ConclusionsPreliminary Conclusions

Scale effects on snowcover Scale effects on snowcover accumulation and melt modelling:accumulation and melt modelling:

Determining the minimum complexity required to capture Determining the minimum complexity required to capture essential features of snowmelt over large regions with essential features of snowmelt over large regions with

complex terraincomplex terrain


PhD project, PhD project, AADAMDAM WWINSTRALINSTRAL(University of Reading, UK)(University of Reading, UK)



Scaling IssuesScaling Issues•• Distributing Forcing Data Over Large AreasDistributing Forcing Data Over Large Areas

•• OrographyOrography (Pacific NW & BC (Pacific NW & BC -- ROS events)ROS events)•• Mixed phase precipitation events: Rain Mixed phase precipitation events: Rain vsvs SnowSnow•• Dew point temperature as an indicator of phaseDew point temperature as an indicator of phase

•• Terrain & canopyTerrain & canopy--induced variabilityinduced variability

•• Linkages between forcing & energy stateLinkages between forcing & energy state

•• Measurement & Validation Measurement & Validation

Johnston Johnston DDraw Study Catchmentraw Study Catchment(1.8 km(1.8 km22 , 380 m relief), 380 m relief)

•• Dew Point TemperatureDew Point Temperature is a reliable predictor of is a reliable predictor of precipitation phase.precipitation phase.

•• Need second year of data, and additional events for Need second year of data, and additional events for validationvalidation

•• Need data from additional sites (Klamath River basin, Need data from additional sites (Klamath River basin, Oregon; BC?)Oregon; BC?)

•• Summer Precipitation (Summer Precipitation (KananaskisKananaskis, Wolf Creek), Wolf Creek)

Preliminary ConclusionsPreliminary Conclusions

A Scalable Shading Model for A Scalable Shading Model for Radiation at the Forest Floor,Radiation at the Forest Floor,

using LiDARusing LiDAR--derived Canopy derived Canopy ParametersParametersRRICHARDICHARD EESSERYSSERY

((University of Wales, Aberystwyth)University of Wales, Aberystwyth)

DDANNYANNY MMARKSARKS(USDA(USDA--ARS Northwest Watershed Research Center)ARS Northwest Watershed Research Center)

See: Essery, Bunting, Hardy, Link, Marks, See: Essery, Bunting, Hardy, Link, Marks, MellohMelloh, Pomeroy, , Pomeroy, RowlandsRowlands and and RutterRutter, , 2007, in review, 2007, in review, Journal of Hydrometeorology;Journal of Hydrometeorology;

Pomeroy, Pomeroy, RowlandsRowlands, Hardy, Link, Marks, Essery, , Hardy, Link, Marks, Essery, SicartSicart and Ellis, and Ellis,

2007, in review, 2007, in review, Journal of HydrometeorologyJournal of Hydrometeorology

+

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D a y (2 0 0 3 )

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Solar Radiation to Snow beneath Shrubs and TreesSolar Radiation to Snow beneath Shrubs and Trees

Tall

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olf C

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reek

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Link, Marks and Hardy, 2004, Link, Marks and Hardy, 2004, Hydrological ProcessesHydrological Processes

See: Pomeroy, See: Pomeroy, et alet al., in review, 2007, ., in review, 2007, Journal of Hydrometeorology;Journal of Hydrometeorology;BewleyBewley et al., et al., 2007, in press,2007, in press, Arctic, Antarctic and Alpine Research;Arctic, Antarctic and Alpine Research;

Inventory mapInventory map LiDAR + tree mapLiDAR + tree map

100 m100 m

Stand Scale Modelling of Solar RadiationStand Scale Modelling of Solar Radiation

Simulated sky viewSimulated sky view

Essery Essery et alet al. (2007). In review for . (2007). In review for Journal of HydrometeorologyJournal of Hydrometeorology..

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Simulated sky viewSimulated sky viewClear Overcast

Fine Scale Modelling of SubFine Scale Modelling of Sub--alpine Solar Radiationalpine Solar Radiation

Essery Essery et alet al. (2007). In review for . (2007). In review for Journal of HydrometeorologyJournal of Hydrometeorology..

LiDAR Forest CSM & DEM LiDAR Forest CSM & DEM CharacterizationCharacterization

Pomeroy, Pomeroy, et alet al., in review, 2007, ., in review, 2007, Journal of Hydrometeorology;Journal of Hydrometeorology;Essery Essery et alet al. (2007). In review for . (2007). In review for Journal of HydrometeorologyJournal of Hydrometeorology

From hemisphericalFrom hemisphericalphotographsphotographs

From LiDAR shading From LiDAR shading modelmodel

Sky viewSky view

Essery Essery et alet al. (2007). In review for . (2007). In review for Journal of HydrometeorologyJournal of Hydrometeorology

JD86 CloudyJD86 Cloudy

JD87 SunnyJD87 Sunny

11.4011.40 14:2014:20 17.0017.00

The The LongwaveLongwave Radiation Problem: Radiation Problem: Hot Canopy and Trunks Increase Forest Hot Canopy and Trunks Increase Forest LongwaveLongwave

RadiationRadiation

CLPX LSOS Open Canopy IOP1

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Canopy NorthTrunkSnow SurfaceCanopy South

Pomeroy, Marks, Ellis, Pomeroy, Marks, Ellis, et alet al., 2007, in prep, ., 2007, in prep, Hydrological ProcessesHydrological Processes

snowcover interaction with climate, topography ... · rcew (239 km2):): • 32 climate stations •...

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