During the snow survey season, Navajo Nation measures snow depth at these courses on a bi-weekly basis. Snow surveys are performed utilizing standardize methods which is conducted by the Natural Resourses Conservation Service (NRCS) snow survey program. Two methods utilized to collect snow cores are the tube and bulk methods. Two surveyors on snowshoes are required at each site one to measure the depth of snow and the other calculates the snow water content. A light-weight, aluminum graduated tube is used to collect snow cores by pushing the tube straight down through the snowpack until it hits ground. The tube is carefully lifted out so that none of the core escapes. This core is weighed and used to calculate the snow water content. This process is executed at 5 sampling points at each manual snow course site. Below is an illustration of a manual snow course.
Navajo Nation measures snowpack at these SNOTEL sites during the time the manual courses at Whiskey Creek and Beaver Springs are measured. Tube and bulk methods still apply for SNOTEL sites. Two surveyors on snowshoes are required to measure the depth of the snow and to calculate water content. A light-weight, aluminum graduated tube is used to collect snow cores by pushing the tube straight down through the snowpack until it hits ground. The tube is carefully lifted out so none of the core escapes. This core is weighed and used to calculate the snow water content. The process is a little different than at manual snow courses. The image below illustrates one of the SNOTEL site.
Please inform us of what the data will be used for and what areas you are interested in. We do ask that you provide us with a copy of report when your project is complete. This report will be added to our library for future use.
CONSULTANTS: Data provided by the Navajo Nation is Federally funded, therefore data obtained should not be charged back to client as part of the services provided.