Studying Snowpack-Related Characteristics on Lebanon Mountains

Abstract

Water resources in Lebanon are witnessing excessive use and demand for water has increased. Surface water is the most exhausted type of water in Lebanon due to the ease of its exploitation. Among examples of surface water, snow has received attention lately because it represents the major source for rivers, springs and groundwater reservoirs. However, the challenges for the water supply make it necessary to investigate the snow cover on the mountainous regions of Lebanon. Therefore, a number of studies have been conducted, but all emphasized the monitoring of snow cover using satellite imagery, while in-situ investigation of snowpack, including the majority of its physical parameters with respect to related characteristics, were not taken into account. This study considers mainly field observations of the snowpack carried out on 280 different sites in the Lebanon mountains. Samples were collected and tested in-situ. The parameters investigated are snowpack density, depth, hardness and surface roughness. The investigated sites were compared according to the following characteristics: altitude, slope, rock hardness, sample timing and sunlight aspect. The study aims to induce different empirical relations between the snowpack properties and the physical setting. This would be a helpful input for further water management measures, notably those concerned with water harvesting, supply and recharge/discharge approaches.