Long-term snow database, Reynolds Creek Experimental Watershed, Idaho, United States

Snow is the dominant form of precipitation in the Reynolds Creek Experiment al Watershed (RCEW). Water from snowmelt is critical to the ecosystems and resources in RCEW because the water stored in the seasonal snow cover is th e primary source of spring and summer soil moisture and streamflow. Snow wa ter equivalent (SWE) has been measured at eight locations in RCEW every 2 w eeks throughout the snow season (December 1 to June 1) for 35 water years ( 1962-1996). SWE was continuously monitored at one reference site for 14 wat er years (1983-1996). The measurement sites are described, the methods used are presented and discussed, these data are summarized, and examples of ho w they have been used are presented.