Utility of Isotope Profiling Snow Gage for Water Management.

Conference · Tue Jan 01 04:00:00 EST 1974

OSTI ID:4153020

Limpert, F A; Smith, J L; Santeford, H S; Smith, J L

The electric power needs of the Pacific Northwest at the present time are satisfied primarily by hydropower projects. Three basic ingredients are embodied in a determination of the hydroelectric power potential of a river basin: streamflow and associated head, storage, and power plant installation. The broad storage component is examined in some detail. Storage is generally viewed as water in a reservoir behind a dam; however, the groundwater pool and the snowpack are also a part of the storage component. Reservoirs can be controlled, and to a much lesser degree so can the groundwater component; but except for some very specialized situations, there is virtually no control over the snow component of storage. The snow component amounts to nearly $sup 3$$/$$sub 4$ of the average runoff of the Columbia River. Experience to date with the isotope profiling snow gage indicates this instrument will be a valuable adjunct to the hydrometeorological network. The profiler system, a method for translating field measurement data to management use, and existing and proposed utilization of the profiler data for management purposes, are described. (auth)

• Research Organization: Bonneville Power Administration, Portland, OR; comps.; SEE CODE- 4415000 National Academy of Sciences, Washington, D.C. (USA)
• Sponsoring Organization: USDOE
• NSA Number: NSA-33-007311
• OSTI ID: 4153020
• Report Number(s): CONF-731201
• Country of Publication: United States
• Language: English

Related Subjects

*SNOW-- DEPTH
*WATER RESOURCES-- MANAGEMENT
510101* --Environmental Sciences
Terrestrial--Basic Studies- -Radiometric Techniques
ATMOSPHERIC PRECIPITATIONS
COLUMBIA RIVER
COMPARATIVE EVALUATIONS
EARTH CRUST
ENERGY STORAGE
GAMMA SOURCES
GAMMA SPECTROMETERS
GROUND WATER
HYDROELECTRIC POWER
MEASURING METHODS
N44420* --Environmental & Earth Sciences--Radiometric Techniques--Soil
NATURAL RADIOACTIVITY
REGIONAL ANALYSIS
WATER
WATER RESERVOIRS