Measuring Amount of Precipitation in Snow

Reader Contribution by Bruce Mcelmurray
1 / 2
2 / 2

Living in the mountains snowfall is not only essential but highly important to our safety and well being. Snow provides water for our deep wells, trees, plants, animals and shrubs. It also is needed to keep mountain lakes healthy and provide water needs for lower elevations. Once when I was learning to do our own plumbing a plumber told me I really only needed to know two things: one, water flows downhill and two, payday is on Friday. In early spring when the snow melts water percolates into the ground from higher elevations and some of that early melt bubbles up on our property and will migrate on down the mountain. We have two springs that flow all year long and several more that are transient. Occasionally it comes out of the ground so forcefully that it looks like a small fountain. One year it washed our driveway out because it surged out with so much force. When it runs so strong I usually take my gold catching sluice box and put it where the water runs through it and pick up a little placer gold coming from deep within the mountain.

Snow/Water Ratio

I have wondered over the years about the snow we receive each winter and how much actual moisture it produces for us. I have noticed as the snow gets deeper, 2-3 feet deep, that the snow becomes granular instead of soft and fluffy like new snow. I became curious as to which type of snow held the greatest amount of moisture. I took a jar (see photos) and collected 4” of the granular snow. I brought it inside and let it melt. I was surprised to find out that 4” of granular snow actually made 1.75 inches of water. Normal snow ratio is 10:1 or 10 inches of snow to 1 inch of water content. This first sample actually came out to 44% water content. As the days get warmer and it slowly starts to melt into the ground and then migrates down the mountain it will generate a considerable amount of needed annual water. Our average annual snowfall is 264” and therefore capable of producing substantial amounts of water.

Comments (0) Join others in the discussion!
    Online Store Logo
    Need Help? Call 1-800-234-3368