ABSTRACT:

In the winter and spring of 2023, seven transects were established to collect data at varying positions on the north and south facing slopes as well as the flat terrain. The spatial distribution of these transects were designed to capture changes in snow properties related to aspect and position on slope including the base, middle, and top of slopes. The flat terrain transect was taken by traversing a circle around the SNOTEL station whereas all other transects were ~20 m in length perpendicular to the fall line (i.e., parallel to slope contours). These data were collected approximately once every month from January to May, resulting in 5 survey dates. All transects included GPR data collected with surface-coupled, common offset GPR units pulled over the snow surface. Following the GPR, depth measurements were collected in the track of the GPR at 2-meter spacing. Snow pits were also dug when time allowed to estimate bulk snow density.

ABSTRACT:

In the winter and spring of 2023, seven transects were established to collect data at varying positions on the north and south facing slopes as well as the flat terrain. The spatial distribution of these transects were designed to capture changes in snow properties related to aspect and position on slope including the base, middle, and top of slopes. The flat terrain transect was taken by traversing a circle around the SNOTEL station whereas all other transects were ~20 m in length perpendicular to the fall line (i.e., parallel to slope contours). These data were collected approximately once every month from January to May, resulting in 5 survey dates. All transects included GPR data collected with surface-coupled, common offset GPR units pulled over the snow surface. Following the GPR, depth measurements were collected in the track of the GPR at 2-meter spacing. Snow pits were also dug when time allowed to estimate bulk snow density.

ABSTRACT:

In the winter and spring of 2023, seven transects were established to collect data at varying positions on the north and south facing slopes as well as the flat terrain. The spatial distribution of these transects were designed to capture changes in snow properties related to aspect and position on slope including the base, middle, and top of slopes. The flat terrain transect was taken by traversing a circle around the SNOTEL station whereas all other transects were ~20 m in length perpendicular to the fall line (i.e., parallel to slope contours). These data were collected approximately once every month from January to May, resulting in 5 survey dates. All transects included GPR data collected with surface-coupled, common offset GPR units pulled over the snow surface. Following the GPR, depth measurements were collected in the track of the GPR at 2-meter spacing. Snow pits were also dug when time allowed to estimate bulk snow density.

ABSTRACT:

The study site for this research is in the Dry Lake watershed, a small watershed that is ideal for studying snow processes in northern Colorado, USA. The watershed is ~0.25 km2 with year-round, hourly data collection from a SNOTEL station and a remote automated weather station (RAWS) located within the extents of the watershed, respectively. A small stream runs from the northeast to the southwest, with an outlet near the SNOTEL station. The lower area consists of forested conifer that is populated with ferns in the summer months and the lower portion of the south facing slope is populated by deciduous aspen canopy.

ABSTRACT:

The 10k research site is located by the 10K Trailhead parking lot in the Cibola National Forest. This area is at the beginning of the Canadian/Hudsonian Zone of the Eastern Sandia Mountains, which is part of the Arizona/New Mexico Mountains Ecoregion. The plot is roughly 1,200m^2 and runs east-west with an open area (~400 m^2) on the eastern end and a forest stand (~800 m^2) located uphill on the western end. The hill has an eastern aspect with an 18 degree slope. The forest vegetation in this area predominantly consists of spruce, fir, and aspen trees.