snowmaking study

[watershedc]

I have set up a runoff model in support of a snowmaking feasibility study. I am trying to determine what specific rainfall events would be most appropriate to model to best evaluate available surface runoff volumes for snowmaking. I also wonder if it would be appropriate to include contribution due to snowmelt. Anyone have first hand experience or a good reference for such a study? Thank you.

 

[psmart]

When you say "snowmaking feasibility study", are you trying to determine the amount of water that will be available from a pond for use in snowmaking? If so, are you expecting the pond to be replenished with runoff from the snowmaking area? During extended periods of cold weather there would be little runoff or snowmelt, so you would probably be dependent on other water sources. Most rain or snowmelt would seem to occur later in the winter, after snowmaking actives have ceased.

I've seen plenty of H&H studies related to snowmaking, but most are related to runoff management, rather than supplying water for snowmaking actives.

Peter Smart
HydroCAD Software

http://www.hydrocad.net

 

[watershedc]

Thanks for the reply. The ultimate purpose of the H&H study is related to runoff management, although the management facilites being modeled may double as snowmaking water reserves. We expect that other sources (baseflow) would be used in conjunction with stored runoff for the snowmaking. I think the idea is to just get an idea of the contributions of stormflow as a part of the overall equation.

 

[psmart]

In any given season, you could be dealing with a wide range of rainfall events. An alternative would be to consider the total seasonal rainfall, which is subject to much less statistical variation than the individual events.


Peter Smart
HydroCAD Software

http://www.hydrocad.net

 

[watershedc]

OK. Given the approach of considering total seasonal rainfall vs individual storm events, hydrocad could not be utilized, is that correct?

 

[psmart]

You could sum the results from a number of individual events (as generated by HydroCAD). Otherwise you would need a procedure for estimating long-term (annual) runoff.


Peter Smart
HydroCAD Software

http://www.hydrocad.net