A Revised Snowstorm Maximization Method for Canadian Boreal Regions

by K. C. Ander Chow, Atria Engineering Hydraulics Inc, Mississauga, Canada,
S. Bryn Jones, Atria Engineering Hydraulics Inc, Mississauga, Canada,



Document Type: Proceeding Paper

Part of: Engineering Hydrology

Abstract:

A proposed refinement in the development of design snowpacks for use in the derivation of probable maximum floods (PMF) estimates in the Canadian Boreal is presented. Shortcomings in the traditional methods of deriving critical snowpacks have been ameliorated by surveying upper air precipitate water estimates as a measure of atmospheric moisture available for snowstorm maximization. A theoretical limit of precipitable water for a snowable air mass has been derived to prevent over-estimation of the design snowpack. A procedure, incorporating a set of maps of seasonally maximum precipitable water, has been developed, which has the potential to standardize the estimation of meltwater contributions to spring PMF scenarios across Boreal regions of Canada.

Subject Headings: Snow | Snowmelt | Urban and regional development | Floods | Surveying methods | Seasonal variations | Probability | Canada

Services: Buy this book/Buy this article

 

Return to search