Data Set ID: 
NSIDC-0441

Collaborative Research: Snow Accumulation and Snow Melt in a Mixed Northern Hardwood-Conifer Forest, Version 1

This data set contains snow depth, Snow Water Equivalent (SWE), and forest cover characteristics for sites at the Hubbard Brook Experimental Forest in northern New Hampshire. Measurements were made at 26 sampling sites on 4 March and 1 April 2009.The data were collected as part of a collaborative research project on isotopic exchange in snow. The project aims to develop a quantitative understanding of the processes active in isotopic exchange between snow/firn and water vapor, which is important to Antarctic ice core interpretation. Data are in Microsoft Excel (.xls) format. The data set also includes maps showing site locations in Joint Photography Experts Group (.jpg) format.

These data are distributed by the U.S. Antarctic Program Data Center (USAP-DC) at the Lamont-Doherty Earth Observatory of Columbia University. Use the Get External Data button (upper right) to obtain the data from USAP-DC.

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NSIDC does not archive these data.

Geographic Coverage

Parameter(s):
  • Sea Ice > Snow Depth
  • Snow/Ice > Snow Depth
  • Snow/Ice > Snow Water Equivalent
Spatial Coverage:

  • N: 43.96, S: 43.91, E: -71.73, W: -71.77
Spatial Resolution: Not Specified
Temporal Coverage:
  • 4 March 2009
  • 1 April 2009
Temporal Resolution: Not specified
Data Format(s): Not specified
Platform(s) Not specified
Sensor(s): Not specified
Version: V1
Data Contributor(s): Beverley Wemple
Metadata XML: View Metadata Record
Please contact the data provider for the correct Data Citation for this data set.

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Detailed Data Description

Format

Data are in Microsoft Excel (.xls) format. Maps are available in Joint Photography Experts Group (.jpg) format.

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File and Directory Structure

These data are distributed by the U.S. Antarctic Program Data Center at Lamont-Doherty Earth Observatory of Columbia University. The data set comprises: one Microsoft Excel workbook, HB_Snow_Surveys.xls, which contains 26 sheets corresponding to each survey site; and a jpg file, HB_site_location_map.jpg, that shows site locations. See Table 2, Site Location Coordinates for the site key.

The site naming convention is described as follows:

xyz1

Where:

Table 1. Site Naming Convention
Variable Description
x Aspect (S=south, N=north)
y Elevation (L=low, M=mid, H=high)
z Forest Cover Condition (C=clearing, F=forest)
1 Site number (1, 2, or 3 at each combination of aspect, elevation, cover)
 
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File Size

The Microsoft Excel file is 188 KB. Images range in size from 236 KB to 868 KB.

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Volume

The total volume of the data set is about 1000 KB.

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Spatial Coverage

Samples were collected in the Hubbard Brook Experimental Forest in northern New Hampshire.

Southernmost Latitude: 43.91° N
Northernmost Latitude: 43.96° N
Westernmost Longitude: 71.77° W
Easternmost Longitude: 71.73° W

Site Locations

Table 2. Site Location Coordinates
Site Name Latitude 
(decimal degrees)		 Longitude 
(decimal degrees)		 Elevation (meters)
NHC2 43.91904444000 -71.75832778000 901
NHF1 43.91884167000 -71.75999722000 875
NHF2 43.91659167000 -71.76110000000 881
NHF3 43.91674444000 -71.76472778000 852
NHC1 43.91651667000 -71.76686111000 858
NMC2 43.92050278000 -71.76926667000 772
NMF1 43.92036111000 -71.76610278000 737
NMC1 43.92070556000 -71.76556944000 734
NMF2 43.92142222000 -71.76380000000 750
NLC1 43.92760000000 -71.76613056000 615
NLF1 43.92894722000 -71.76602500000 601
NLF2 43.93058889000 -71.76081111000 583
NLC2 43.92923889000 -71.75950278000 600
SLC2 43.95124722000 -71.72888889000 503
SLF2 43.94986389000 -71.72896944000 498
SLF1 43.94995556000 -71.73334444000 523
SLC1 43.95022778000 -71.73449722000 538
SMC1 43.95374167000 -71.73997500000 690
SMF2 43.95241389000 -71.73635556000 598
SMF1 43.95311389000 -71.73437500000 606
SMC2 43.95369167000 -71.73318889000 608
SHC1 43.95581111000 -71.74187778000 768
SHF1 43.95637500000 -71.74142222000 774
SHF2 43.95693611000 -71.74047500000 768
SHF3 43.95725278000 -71.73618333000 739
SHC2 43.95735000000 -71.73488333000 725
 

Site Location Maps

Map showing site locations on southern slopes
Figure 1. Map of North Facing Slope Site Locations

South facing slopes location map
Figure 2. Map of South Facing Slope Site Locations

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Temporal Coverage

Data were collected on 4 March and 1 April, 2009.

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Parameter or Variable

Parameters include snow depth, mass, and Snow Water Equivalent (SWE) for 26 sites. Samples were taken at 5 meter intervals going east to west and north to south from the first sample location. Additional information regarding the site location and forest cover conditions is identified in the site name, as described above in Table 1. Samples were collected using Adirondack snow tubes. Snow tube diameter, radius, and area is listed for each set of samples.

Parameter Description

Table 3. Description of Parameters in the HB_Snow_Surveys.xlsFile
Parameter Description
Distance Distance from first sample location, in meters.
Depth Snow depth, in centimeters and/or inches
Mass Mass in grams or kilograms
SWE Snow Water Equivalent, in centimeters and/or inches
Tube Depth Snow Tube Depth, in centimeters
Tube Radius Snow Tube Radius, in centimeters
Tube Area Snow Tube Area, in centimeters^2

Sample Data Record
 

sample distance 
(m)		 depth 
(in)		 depth 
(cm)		 mass 
(oz)		 mass 
(kg)		 tare 
(kg)		 mass 
(g)		 SWE 
(in)		 SWE 
(cm)
1 0 57 3.2 1.61 1590 30.85582802
2 5 82 2.9 1.61 1290 25.03397367
3 10 76 3.06 1.61 1450 28.13896266

Tube diameter (cm) 8.1
Tube radius (cm) 4.05
Tube area (cm^2) 51.5299735
 
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Software and Tools

Data are accessible using spreadsheet software.

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Data Acquisition and Processing

Theory of Measurements

This data set contains snow mass, snow depth, and SWE data collected at 26 field sites in New Hampshire.

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Data Acquisition Methods

Samples were taken at 5 meter intervals going east to west and north to south from the first sample location. Additional information regarding the site location and forest cover conditions is identified in the site name, as described above in Table 1. Snow tube diameter, radius, and area is listed for each set of samples.

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Sensor or Instrument Description

Samples were collected using Adirondack snow tubes.

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References and Related Publications

Penn, C. A., B. C. Wemple, and J. L. Campbell. 2009. Forest Influence on Peak Snow Accumulation and Snowmelt in a Mixed Northern Hardwood-Conifer Forest of the Northeastern U.S. American Geophysical Union Fall Meeting. C31B-0439.

The following related documents are available on the NSIDC Web site:

Collaborative Research: Laboratory Studies of Isotopic Exchange in Snow (NSIDC-0445)

Contacts and Acknowledgments

Dr. Beverley C. Wemple
Department of Geography
Old Mill 202
University of Vermont
Burlington, VT 05405 
USA 

Acknowledgments: 

This research was supported by National Science Foundation (NSF) Office of Polar Programs (OPP) grant number 0338008.

Document Information

Document Creation Date

1 January 2010

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