Michael, Rickly are the least expensive I know of. Union Forge also makes them they are sturdier and more expensive, although Rickly may be riveting the connectors now. To collect effective measurements with the Federal over large areas requires quite a bit of experience and calibration. The best method for calibration or measurement is to dig a pit and take 10cm volumetric densities with a cutter, of course this is much more work, in some snow conditions it's the only way to get an accurate measurement of SWE.
Cheers, Peter ************************************************** Peter Kirchner, Graduate Research Scientist Sierra Nevada Research Institute University of California, Merced [email protected] -----Original Message----- From: Ecological Society of America: grants, jobs, news [mailto:[email protected]] On Behalf Of michael drescher Sent: Monday, March 16, 2009 11:24 AM To: [email protected] Subject: [ECOLOG-L] inquiry re snow survey equipment Dear ECOLOG-LIST, We are preparing a study on the effects of snow cover dynamics on vegetation dynamics. From my background reading I understand that in most studies Federal Snow Sampling Tubes are used to measure snow depth and density (we plan to sample many stations so we cannot use any of the stationary tools). Does anyone have experience with Federal Snow Sampling Tubes? The only supplier that I could identify is Rickly Hydrological Company in Ohio and just minimal equipment to sample snow up 1.5 m would cost us ca. $US 1,800.- Are there other suppliers out there that might be cheaper? Did maybe some of you not use the standardized Federal Snow Sampling Tubes? If so, what did you use instead and what was your experience with it? Thanks a lot for your feedback. Best regards, Michael Drescher Faculty of Forestry University of Toronto
