Yukon River Discharge Response to Seasonal Snow Cover Change

Abstract

We used remotely sensed Snow Water Equivalent (SWE) and Snow Cover Extent (SCE) data to investigate streamflow response to seasonal snow cover change over the Yukon watershed. We quantified the seasonal cycles and variations of snow cover (both SWE and SCE) and river streamflow, and identified a clear correspondence of river discharge to seasonal snow cover change. We also examined and compared the weekly mean streamflow with the weekly basin SWE and SCE. The results revealed a strong relationship between streamflow and snow cover change during the spring melt season. This relationship provides a practical procedure of using remotely sensed snow cover information for snowmelt runoff estimation over the large northern watersheds. Analyses of extreme (high/low) streamflow cases (years) and basin snow cover conditions indicate an association of high (low) flood peak with high (low) maximum SWE. Comparative analyses of weekly basin SWE versus SCE, peak snowmelt floods, and climatic variables (temperature and winter precipitation) show consistency among basin SWE, SCE, and temperature, but there is some incompatibility between basin SWE and winter precipitation. The inconsistency suggests uncertainties in determination of basin winter snowfall amounts and limitations in applications of the SWE retrieval algorithm over large watersheds/regions with different physical characteristics. Overall, the results of this analysis demonstrate that the SWE and SCE data/products derived from remote sensing technology are useful in understanding seasonal streamflow variations in the northern regions.