Skip to main content
ARS Home » Pacific West Area » Pullman, Washington » Northwest Sustainable Agroecosystems Research » Research » Publications at this Location » Publication #216546
Title: Improving WEPP snow simulation

Author
item DUN, SHUHUI - WASHINGTON STATE UNIV
item WU, JOAN - WASHINGTON STATE UNIV
item ELLIOT, WILLIAM - US FOREST SERVICE
item McCool, Donald
item BROOKS, ERIN - UNIV OF IDAHO

Submitted to: Meeting Abstract
Publication Type: Abstract Only
Publication Acceptance Date: 8/31/2007
Publication Date: N/A
Citation: N/A

Interpretive Summary:

Technical Abstract: Snow simulation is essential to reliable prediction of runoff and erosion, particularly in high-latitude areas in the northern tier of states and forested watersheds at high elevations. The Water Erosion Prediction Project (WEPP) model is one of a few including a component for winter hydrology simulation. The purpose of this study was to evaluate the adequacy of the winter hydrology routines, particularly, those for snow accumulation and snowmelt. Specific objectives were: (1) to identify and correct coding errors and modify snow subroutines in WEPP (v2006.5) to better represent snow accumulation and snow melt processes; and (2) to assess the performance of the modified model using data collected at two study sites. Changes were made in the codes for modeling snow accumulation and snowmelt. The modified codes were subsequently applied to data from snow observation plots near Morris, MN, and Graham Guard SNOTEL Station, ID, USA. Comparison was made of model results using both WEPP v2006.5 and the modified version as well as field observations. Conclusions of this study include: (1) compared to the WEPP v2006.5, the modified WEPP more realistically represents the snow accumulation and snow melt processes; and (2) application of the modified model to the two test sites produced satisfactory results, demonstrating the adequacy of the modifications and enhanced model applicability.