The influence of the spatial distribution of snow on basin‐averaged snowmelt

Advances in the use of observed spatial patterns of catchment hydrological response

“…This separation of effects is not possible to do using just runoff data. It should be noted that a similar approach was taken by Luce et al [71] in the rangelands of Idaho, where observed snow depth patterns were also shown to be time stable.…”

“…Also, the general interest in spatial patterns, and availability of rapid position fixing via GPS, has made it more common to collect patterns of even ''traditional'' data such as snow depth or snow density. For example, the 26 ha upper sheep creek in the Reynolds creek watershed has snow depth patterns measured over several seasons [71,72] and Yang and Woo [122] and Young et al [123] collected patterns of snow-related variables in the Canadian Arctic. Along similar lines, McDonnell et al [73] measured a detailed pattern of soil depth to bedrock in the 41 ha Panola catchment for use as input data to a terrain-based model of water movement.…”

A Process-Based Application of State-and-Transition Models: A Case Study of Western Juniper (Juniperus occidentalis) Encroachment

“…The distribution of snow on the landscape may also be the best predictor of spatial and temporal patterns in soil moisture in semiarid snow-dominated sagebrush catchments (Williams et al, 2009). Both the vegetationaffected distribution of snow and the snowmelt-driven water delivery control catchment streamflow initiation, volume, and recession (Flerchinger and Cooley, 2000;Luce et al, 1998;Luce and Tarboton, 2004;Seyfried et al, 2009;Williams et al, 2009). Snow distribution differences between sagebrush-and woodland-dominated landscapes are therefore key links for understanding differences in water availability for plant communities and wildlife.…”

“…Water from snow drifts is known to provide much needed soil water for vegetation and often sustains streamflow into the late spring/early summer (Luce et al, 1998;Luce and Tarboton, 2004;Kumar et al, 2013;Wang et al, 2013). The combination of delayed water inputs to and increased streamflow from sagebrush-dominated catchments may lead to substantial habitat benefits for sagebrush obligates when compared with the hydrology of juniper-dominated catchments.…”

Micrometeorological processes driving snow ablation in an Alpine catchment

“…The patchiness of a snow cover can be attributed to the interaction between spatially variable snow-depth distribution at the time of peak accumulation (Luce et al, 1998;Liston et al, 2007;Anderton et al, 2004;Grünewald et al, 2010;Egli et al, 2011) and the local energy balance at the snow surface. As shown by several studies (e.g.…”