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DOI	10.5194/tc-12-287-2018
	Hydrologic flow path development varies by aspect during spring snowmelt in complex subalpine terrain
	Webb R.W.; Fassnacht S.R.; Gooseff M.N.
发表日期	2018
ISSN	19940416
卷号	12 期号:1
英文摘要	In many mountainous regions around the world, snow and soil moisture are key components of the hydrologic cycle. Preferential flow paths of snowmelt water through snow have been known to occur for years with few studies observing the effect on soil moisture. In this study, statistical analysis of the topographical and hydrological controls on the spatiotemporal variability of snow water equivalent (SWE) and soil moisture during snowmelt was undertaken at a subalpine forested setting with north, south, and flat aspects as a seasonally persistent snowpack melts. We investigated if evidence of preferential flow paths in snow can be observed and the effect on soil moisture through measurements of snow water equivalent and near-surface soil moisture, observing how SWE and near-surface soil moisture vary on hillslopes relative to the toes of hillslopes and flat areas. We then compared snowmelt infiltration beyond the near-surface soil between flat and sloping terrain during the entire snowmelt season using soil moisture sensor profiles. This study was conducted during varying snowmelt seasons representing above-normal, relatively normal, and below-normal snow seasons in northern Colorado. Evidence is presented of preferential meltwater flow paths at the snow-soil interface on the north-facing slope causing increases in SWE downslope and less infiltration into the soil at 20cm depth; less association is observed in the near-surface soil moisture (top 7cm). We present a conceptualization of the meltwater flow paths that develop based on slope aspect and soil properties. The resulting flow paths are shown to divert at least 4% of snowmelt laterally, accumulating along the length of the slope, to increase the snow water equivalent by as much as 170% at the base of a north-facing hillslope. Results from this study show that snow acts as an extension of the vadose zone during spring snowmelt and future hydrologic investigations will benefit from studying the snow and soil together. © 2018 Author(s).
学科领域	complex terrain; flow pattern; hillslope; hydrological cycle; infiltration; meltwater; mountain region; preferential flow; snow water equivalent; snowmelt; snowpack; soil moisture; soil water; spatiotemporal analysis; spring (season); subalpine environment; Colorado; United States
语种	英语
scopus关键词	complex terrain; flow pattern; hillslope; hydrological cycle; infiltration; meltwater; mountain region; preferential flow; snow water equivalent; snowmelt; snowpack; soil moisture; soil water; spatiotemporal analysis; spring (season); subalpine environment; Colorado; United States
来源期刊	Cryosphere
文献类型	期刊论文
条目标识符	http://gcip.llas.ac.cn/handle/2XKMVOVA/119232
作者单位	Institute of Arctic and Alpine Research, University of Colorado, Boulder, CO 80309, United States; Department of Ecosystem Science and Sustainability, Colorado State University, Fort Collins, CO 80523, United States
推荐引用方式 GB/T 7714	Webb R.W.,Fassnacht S.R.,Gooseff M.N.. Hydrologic flow path development varies by aspect during spring snowmelt in complex subalpine terrain[J],2018,12(1).
APA	Webb R.W.,Fassnacht S.R.,&Gooseff M.N..(2018).Hydrologic flow path development varies by aspect during spring snowmelt in complex subalpine terrain.Cryosphere,12(1).
MLA	Webb R.W.,et al."Hydrologic flow path development varies by aspect during spring snowmelt in complex subalpine terrain".Cryosphere 12.1(2018).