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Use of spatially distributed stream stage recorders to augment rain gages by identifying locations of thunderstorm precipitation and distinguishing rain from snow
Author(s) -
Lundquist Jessica,
Huggett Brian,
Roop Heidi,
Low Natalie
Publication year - 2009
Publication title -
water resources research
Language(s) - English
Resource type - Journals
SCImago Journal Rank - 1.863
H-Index - 217
eISSN - 1944-7973
pISSN - 0043-1397
DOI - 10.1029/2008wr006995
Subject(s) - precipitation , thunderstorm , snow , streams , terrain , stage (stratigraphy) , environmental science , hydrology (agriculture) , scale (ratio) , structural basin , meteorology , geology , geography , geomorphology , cartography , computer network , paleontology , geotechnical engineering , computer science
Precipitation measurements in complex terrain are difficult to obtain, particularly during convective thunderstorm precipitation or mixed rain and snow. In such cases, stream stage recorders distributed across many small, headwater streams can bridge the gap between point measurements of precipitation and larger‐scale total basin discharge. We use case studies from two steep basins with shallow soils in the Sierra Nevada, California to illustrate how distributed stream sensors can help identify the location, timing, and intensity of spatially variable precipitation.