NWT RESEARCH DATABASE

Tags: physical sciences, snow water equivalence, snow, snowmelt

Objective(s): To improve national snow water equivalent (SWE) monitoring capabilities by acquiring the necessary data to develop accurate satellite remotely sensed, passive microwave estimates in the spatially expansive and persistently snow covered arctic tundra environment, and to understand and quantify the spatial and temporal contribution of snowmelt water to surface water bodies from the start of spring-melt through to fall freeze-up.

Project Description: Seasonal snow cover is a dominant northern landscape feature. It is a very important component of northern water resources and is a key component of hemispheric climate. Emphasis must be placed on understanding snow cover because of observed and simulated climate warming conditions. The primary objectives of this research are to improve national snow water equivalent (SWE) monitoring capabilities by acquiring the necessary data to develop accurate satellite remotely sensed, passive microwave estimates in the spatially expansive and persistently snow covered arctic tundra environment, and to understand and quantify the spatial and temporal contribution of snowmelt water to surface water bodies from the start of spring-melt through to fall freeze-up. Transportation to the Daring Lake camp for most of the research team will be by helicopter from the Ekati Mine site. The remaining team members will accompany equipment flown in by twin otter directly to the Daring Lake camp. Transportation on site and throughout the study region will be by snowmobile (local snow and water surveys) and helicopter (regional snow and water surveys). To conduct an intensive pre-melt in situ snow survey for comparison with satellite remote sensing data, measurements of snow depth and snow density both locally and regionally will be conducted. As lake ice comprises a significant portion of the tundra landscape the research team will also investigate how lake ice may effect interpretation of satellite data. Samples of ice thickness and character as well as lake bathymetry will be obtained in a variety of different lakes in the vicinity of the Daring Lake camp to determine the variability of lake cover properties. The effect of lake ice will be determined using a ground based radiometer, which detects naturally emitted energy. This unit will be used on features of interest within close proximity of the research camp. Corresponding samples of ice thickness and character as well as lake bathymetry will be obtained in a variety of different lakes in the vicinity of the Daring Lake camp. To help quantify the contribution of snowmelt water to surface water bodies, water and snow samples will be obtained from representative catchments throughout the study area. The results of the research will be communicated through presentations at a public information session with Ecology North, and at the Science in the Changing North conference. Publications related to this research will be shared with interested parties through the Aurora Research Institute library. Fieldwork will take place from April 3-25, 2007 at sites located within a 50 km radius of the Daring Lake Tundra Ecosystem Research Station.