Aspen Bibliography

Local snow distribution is not a function of local topography under continuous tree cover

R.H. Swanson

Document Type

Conference

Journal/Book Title/Conference

Results of research on representative and experimental basins: proceedings of the Wellington Symposium

Volume

9

Issue

2

First Page

292

Last Page

298

Publication Date

1970

Abstract

Timber management to enhance water values is a desirable practice. Vast timbered areas, such as the Forest Reserves of Alberta, cannot be managed to too fine a degree under the present economic conditions. Therefore, general guidelines are desired.

The enhancement of local ground-water recharge systems through snow accumulation management would seem to be a desirable practice for the approximately 15,600 km2 of lodgepole pine and mixed aspen timber types of the Forest Reserve. This topographically and vegetatively uniform area is one of low surface-water discharge, but high importance in ground-water recharge.

Results of snow measurements made in Deer Creek experimental basin suggest that topographic features do not influence where snow accumulates. An analysis ofvariance shows slope and crown closure to be nonsignificant for the two data periods. Elevation was significant one month, but not the next. Only aspect was significant both months, but different aspects contributed to the significance each time.

Results are cited from a similar study on Marmot experimental basin which concluded that none of the usually measured topographic features are very useful in explaining snow accumulation variance. The combined results imply that local snow accumulation is not a function of local topography under a continuous vegetative cover, and that general management guidelines could be drawn up for managing snow accumulation without regard to topographic variables.

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