Estimating the Seasonal Variations of Snow Water Equivalent, Runoff and Water Temperature of a Stream in a Basin Using the New Bucket Model.

To explain the water and energy cycle on a global scale, the model for expressing the water budget on a basin scale must be simplified. In the present study, the seasonal variations of snow water equivalent, discharge, and water temperature of a stream in a mountainous basin were simulated for 5 years by using the heat budget model along with the “new bucket” model. The input data were made using the routine meteorological data obtained at the nearby flatland observatories, since the data were scarce in the present basin. The calculated seasonal variation of the snow-line altitude agreed well with the observed one. In addition, the area-averaged snow-line altitudes, obtained from satellite images, agreed with the field observations and model calculations with an error of about 100m. The seasonal variation of the altitude distribution of snow water equivalent was also simulated fairly well. Moreover, we discussed the altitude distributions of the snow water equivalent, especially during the snow accumulation periods.