Snow

Question 1

Relevance for water resources management:

Answer 1

1. Stored water might cause extreme floods, especially when melting and heavy rainfall occur at the same time :(
2. Recharges groundwater and provides enough discharge for water supply in summer :)

Question 2

Composition of snow

Answer 2

a) Ice crystals: 10 - 40 Vol. %
b) Air: 60 - 90 Vol. %
c) Water: 0 - 30 Vol. %

Question 3

Conceptual description of snowpack dynamics:

[figure page 26]

Answer 3

• Snow accumulation
  Accumulation of snowpack from snow crystals = No discharge

-Snow compaction
Melting and compaction of snow pack = No discharge

-Snow ablation
Melting without further compaction = discharge

Question 4

Calculation of water discharge from snow pack:

Answer 4

 Snow melt is not equal water discharge from snow pack !

 Melted water is stored partly in snow pack before release