Evaluating the spatial and temporal distribution of snow accumulation, snowmelts and discharge in a multi basin scale: an application to the Tohoku Region, Japan
K. Motoya et al., Evaluating the spatial and temporal distribution of snow accumulation, snowmelts and discharge in a multi basin scale: an application to the Tohoku Region, Japan, HYDROL PROC, 15(11), 2001, pp. 2101-2129
The main aim of this study is to discuss the temporal and spatial distribut
ions of the snow water equivalent, snowmelt and discharge in a multibasin s
cale (Tohoku Region, Japan; covering about 77 000 km(2)), using the heat bu
dget model with the help of remote sensing (satellite images and meteorolog
ical radar). The calculated distributions of snow water equivalent were sim
ilar to that of the snow map obtained from the satellite images. At the sam
e time, the seasonal variation of discharge in the three basins investigate
d (Yuda, covering 583 km(2), Shichikasyuku, 237 km(2) and Okutadami, 426 km
(2)) was in good agreement with the observed one at the dam. Moreover, we c
onducted sensitivity tests for increasing solar radiation and air temperatu
re by adding 10 W/m(2) to the solar radiation and I degree to air temperatu
re, respectively. The peaks of the snow cover area did not change so much,
although the area in the snowmelt season decreased in these cases. The snow
water equivalent in both cases became smaller than the control, particular
ly in the case of a 1 degree increase in air temperature. The snowmelt and
discharge increased in the first half of the snowmelt period but were less
than the control in the latter half. The model suggested in this study will
be able to estimate changes in the hydrological elements related to snow,
if a scenario of the climate change is provided. Copyright (C) 2001 John Wi
ley & Sons, Ltd.