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Assessing Local Snow Variability using a Network of Ultrasonic Snow Depth Sensors

During the 2010 winter season, 21 inexpensive ultrasonic snow depth (USD) sensors were constructed and installed at Treeline and Lower Deer Point sites located within the snow dominated Dry Creek Experimental Watershed, near Boise, Idaho.  6 USD sensors, including a single Judd Communications USD sensor, were installed at the Treeline site along a northeast to southwest transect of the small 0.02 km2 catchment.  17 USD sensors, including a single Judd Communications USD sensor, were installed at Lower Deer Point in a randomized stratified pattern with respect to aspect and vegetation to reflect the nature of the ridge knob site.  The purpose of this study was to investigate the local variability of SWE in the form of new fallen snow and assess how well data obtained from standard precipitation gauges represents local conditions.   Spatial distributions of new fallen SWE were estimated based off of the relationship between USD observations and new fallen snow density estimates collected from storm boards placed in a stratified pattern with respect to USD site locations at Treeline and Lower Deer Point.  In all, Lower Deer Point and Treeline precipitation gauges were found to underestimate water accumulation by approximately 22 and 23%, respectively.  Additionally, variability associated with new fallen SWE estimates was found to increase with increasing snow accumulation totals, which was consistent with previous field studies.