Estimating snowmelt infiltration into frozen soils

Abstract

A general parametric correlation for estimating snowmelt infiltration into frozen soils is developed using the results from a numerical model, HAWTS. This model includes a set of partial differential equations that describe water and heat transport with phase changes in frozen soils. The model was run for soils with average textures ranging from sandy loam to clay. The relationship proposed relates infiltration to the total soil moisture saturation (water+ice) and temperature at the start of snow ablation, the soil surface saturation during melting, and the infiltration opportunity time—the time that meltwater is available at the soil surface for infiltration. The expression is calibrated to predict snowmelt infiltration in boreal forest and prairie environments. Comparisons of estimates of infiltration by the empirical relationship with those determined by field measurement suggest that the correlation will provide acceptable estimates of snowmelt infiltration into frozen mineral soils for use in operational hydrology schemes. Copyright © 1999 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.