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CanisLupusArctos · 03-14-2008, 11:41 AM

Any hydrologist from the USGS, Army Corps of Engineers, or US Forest Service Avalanche forecasters would be able to say how snow density and water content is measured. I believe it involves taking a core sample of the snow, and melting it down. My guess is that the core would be the same diameter as a standard rain gauge measuring tube and modified so it can be twisted into the snow, down to ground level, and pulled back out without losing any content.

It is to early too dismiss a flood threat, especially since we need to consider what's coming down from the mountains. The lakes region isn't alone in having deep snow--it's been most of VT, NH and ME.

Currently at Black Cat we have 28 inches on the ground which is incredible for mid-March.

Since we had flooding problems last year (washed out roads, high lake level, etc) I'll provide a precipitation comparison of this year and last year.

2006-07.................
Dec. 1 - March 31 precipitation was 8.90 inches. Some of the heaviest winter rains fell when there was little or no snow on the ground; therefore it ran off. Snowpack was under 10 inches most of the winter, non-existent on many days throughout Dec., Jan., and March, and peaked at 17 inches on Feb. 14. In March it grew above 10 inches briefly, but melted back to nothing in the final few days of the month. April replenished it, and then gave the infamous nor'easter on the 16th with 2.78 inches of rain over a 3-day period. This pushed the lake level above-full and caused road washouts.

THIS YEAR.................
We have received 13.00 inches of precipitation since Dec. 1. There has been snow on the ground since Dec. 3. Snow depth has not dropped below 10 inches since December 30. Snow depth reached its max on March 1, with 43 inches, and remained above 40" until the 4th. Rainstorms have shown little or no signs of runoff, and have always had deep snow catching them.

Again, in addition to these local observations we need to consider what's yet to come our way from the mountains.

03-14-2008, 11:41 AM	#2
CanisLupusArctos Senior Member Join Date: Jan 2007 Location: Center Harbor Posts: 1,049 Thanks: 15 Thanked 472 Times in 107 Posts	flood threat remains Any hydrologist from the USGS, Army Corps of Engineers, or US Forest Service Avalanche forecasters would be able to say how snow density and water content is measured. I believe it involves taking a core sample of the snow, and melting it down. My guess is that the core would be the same diameter as a standard rain gauge measuring tube and modified so it can be twisted into the snow, down to ground level, and pulled back out without losing any content. It is to early too dismiss a flood threat, especially since we need to consider what's coming down from the mountains. The lakes region isn't alone in having deep snow--it's been most of VT, NH and ME. Currently at Black Cat we have 28 inches on the ground which is incredible for mid-March. Since we had flooding problems last year (washed out roads, high lake level, etc) I'll provide a precipitation comparison of this year and last year. 2006-07................. Dec. 1 - March 31 precipitation was 8.90 inches. Some of the heaviest winter rains fell when there was little or no snow on the ground; therefore it ran off. Snowpack was under 10 inches most of the winter, non-existent on many days throughout Dec., Jan., and March, and peaked at 17 inches on Feb. 14. In March it grew above 10 inches briefly, but melted back to nothing in the final few days of the month. April replenished it, and then gave the infamous nor'easter on the 16th with 2.78 inches of rain over a 3-day period. This pushed the lake level above-full and caused road washouts. THIS YEAR................. We have received 13.00 inches of precipitation since Dec. 1. There has been snow on the ground since Dec. 3. Snow depth has not dropped below 10 inches since December 30. Snow depth reached its max on March 1, with 43 inches, and remained above 40" until the 4th. Rainstorms have shown little or no signs of runoff, and have always had deep snow catching them. Again, in addition to these local observations we need to consider what's yet to come our way from the mountains.