Difference between revisions of "Snow weight - snow pillow"
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| − | [[Image:snowPillow.jpg|right| | + | [[Image: Snow pillow Kaunertal.jpg|thumb|left|Meteorological station with pillow in the Kaunertal, Alps, Austria]] |
| + | [[Image:snowPillow.jpg|thumb|right|Snow pillow and ultra sonic sensor]] | ||
==Parameter to be measured:== | ==Parameter to be measured:== | ||
| − | + | snow water equivalent | |
| + | |||
==Method:== | ==Method:== | ||
Snow pillow with pressure sensor | Snow pillow with pressure sensor | ||
| + | |||
| + | The working principle of the snow pillow is based on the measuring of the hydrostatic pressure caused by the layer of snow. The snow on top of the snow pillow is detected by a pressure transmitter connected to the system, which converts the data into an analog signal corresponding to the water-content equivalent of the snow covering. The additional detection of snow-depth with an [[Snow height - ultra sonic sensor|ultrasonic snow-depth sensor]] permits automatic calculation of the average density of the layer of snow. Especially in regions with huge amount of snow it is recommend to use a snow pillow with large dimensions (e.g. 3 x 3m) to pillow prevent any bridging that might occur within the snow covering and cause an effect on the measurement readings. | ||
| + | |||
==Equipment:== | ==Equipment:== | ||
Snow Pillow: for example Sommer Mess-Systemtechnik | Snow Pillow: for example Sommer Mess-Systemtechnik | ||
| + | |||
| + | Antifreeze solution: [http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Ethylene_glycol ethylene glycol] from Sigma-Aldrich (about 1000€). But other solutions may be cheaper or less toxic. | ||
Logger: DL2E Data Logger from DeltaT | Logger: DL2E Data Logger from DeltaT | ||
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==Problems/Questions:== | ==Problems/Questions:== | ||
| + | |||
| + | ==Installation== | ||
| + | The following requirements must be observed in order to ensure that the snow pillow produces accurate readings. The measuring area must be horizontal, flat and protected from the wind in order to provide a representative section of snow. Do not select as a measuring field an area in the immediate vicinity of steep slopes, sudden drops in terrain or large boulders, as snow movements in these areas can have an effect on measurement readings. | ||
==Links== | ==Links== | ||
Projects that used the above equipment | Projects that used the above equipment | ||
| − | *http://brandenburg.geoecology.uni-potsdam.de/projekte/opaque/measurement.php#snow | + | *[http://brandenburg.geoecology.uni-potsdam.de/projekte/opaque/measurement.php#snow OPQAQUE] |
| − | + | *[http://www.gfz-potsdam.de/pb5/pb54/projects/Hygra/content.html HYGRA – The effect of water storage variations on in-situ gravity measurements and their use for hydrology] | |
| + | * [http://earth-in-progress.de/index.35.de.html PROGRESS] | ||
Other related web sites | Other related web sites | ||
*http://www.sommer.at/ | *http://www.sommer.at/ | ||
Latest revision as of 11:16, 30 November 2012
Parameter to be measured:
snow water equivalent
Method:
Snow pillow with pressure sensor
The working principle of the snow pillow is based on the measuring of the hydrostatic pressure caused by the layer of snow. The snow on top of the snow pillow is detected by a pressure transmitter connected to the system, which converts the data into an analog signal corresponding to the water-content equivalent of the snow covering. The additional detection of snow-depth with an ultrasonic snow-depth sensor permits automatic calculation of the average density of the layer of snow. Especially in regions with huge amount of snow it is recommend to use a snow pillow with large dimensions (e.g. 3 x 3m) to pillow prevent any bridging that might occur within the snow covering and cause an effect on the measurement readings.
Equipment:
Snow Pillow: for example Sommer Mess-Systemtechnik
Antifreeze solution: ethylene glycol from Sigma-Aldrich (about 1000€). But other solutions may be cheaper or less toxic.
Logger: DL2E Data Logger from DeltaT
Advantages:
- Continous measurements
Disadvantages:
- Expensive
- Effort during installation
- Antifreeze solution is hazardous to waters
Problems/Questions:
Installation
The following requirements must be observed in order to ensure that the snow pillow produces accurate readings. The measuring area must be horizontal, flat and protected from the wind in order to provide a representative section of snow. Do not select as a measuring field an area in the immediate vicinity of steep slopes, sudden drops in terrain or large boulders, as snow movements in these areas can have an effect on measurement readings.
Links
Projects that used the above equipment
- OPQAQUE
- HYGRA – The effect of water storage variations on in-situ gravity measurements and their use for hydrology
- PROGRESS
Other related web sites
- http://www.sommer.at/
- http://www.delta-t.co.uk/
- http://www.env.gov.bc.ca/rfc/river_forecast/aspdescr.htm
- http://snobear.colorado.edu/Markw/SnowHydro/Measuring_Snow/snow_measuring.html