Measurement of snow depth in a mountain microcatchment using global positioning system

Year, pages: 2016, 199 - 206

The article presents analyses of applicability of global positioning system (GPS) in case of snow depth measurements in a remote areas. Twentyseven snow stakes were installed in a mountain microcatchment with area 5.59 hectars. Snow depth and snow water equivalent were measured at the snow stakes. The study evaluates accuracy of snow depth measured by the GPS. Vaules were compared with traditional measurements carried out on thesnow stick (resolution 1 cm). Influence of the density of measured points on statistics of snow depth and total volume of water accumulated in snow on a microcatchment scale is evaluated as well. Average difference between the GPS and traditional measurement of snow depth is 1.5 cm which is within the accuracy limits of the GPS measurements (2–4 cm). Suitably distributed sparser network of snow stakes can provide similar results of snow depth as the dense network of GPS points. This applies until the beginning of the snowmelt period. Influence of network density on calculated volume of water accumulated in snow is larger. The differences during the season varied between 14% and 19%, except time of maximum snow accumulation when it was just 4%. Difference in snow depth 5 cm represented the difference in snow water equivalent 18.3 mm which corresponds to 1020 m3 of water accumulated in the snow.

Danko, M., Holko, L., Krajčí, P., Hlavčo, J., Kostka, Z. 2016. Measurement of snow depth in a mountain microcatchment using global positioning system. In Acta Hydrologica Slovaca, vol. 17, no.2, pp. 199-206. 2644-4690.

Danko, M., Holko, L., Krajčí, P., Hlavčo, J., Kostka, Z. (2016). Measurement of snow depth in a mountain microcatchment using global positioning system. Acta Hydrologica Slovaca, 17(2), 199-206. 2644-4690.