Date of Award:

5-1957

Document Type:

Thesis

Degree Name:

Master of Science (MS)

Department:

Civil and Environmental Engineering

Committee Chair(s)

Cleve Milligan

Committee

Cleve Milligan

Abstract

The purpose of this thesis is to investigate the practicability of forecasting temperatures for the spring and summer snowmelt-runoff season. A successful temperature forecast for Logan, Utah, would be useful in studies of Logan River streamflow, as well as other related applications.

Logan, Utah, is situated in a region where the snow accumulates during the winter and early spring at high altitudes and remains until the proper sequence of meteorological events provides the thermodynamic conditions essential for melting. Snow surveys provide an index to the water available on a watershed. Temperature conditions during the melt period largely determine the available water yield. Therefore, a temperate forecast is needed, along with results from the snow surveys, to predict the time, rate, and volume of streamflow from snowmelt.

From the results of a temperature forecast, snow surveys, precipitation records, and streamflow data, the probable shape of the streamflow hydrograph for a watershed can be predicted. A predicted hydrograph would allow time for planning to obtain more efficient use of water for power, irrigation, and other uses. Also, in some areas the information on expected streamflow may be helpful in planning the operation of multiple-purpose reservoirs or for the prediction of flood or drought conditions.

Since temperatures during the snowmelt season are an excellent index of snowmelt conditions, this thesis concentrates on the derivation of a satisfactory temperature forecasting procedure for April, May, and June. Also, a forecast is made of monthly summer temperatures.

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