Kent, That makes sense, thanks for the clarification. I was not figuring for the 8 - 10 hour for the runoff to reach the gauge. The rivers I watch most of the time are the Bitterroot, Kelly Creek and the N.F. Clearwater. They seem to reflect the runoff much quicker, which would make sense since they are closer to the actual melt.
Thank you, Jeff ----- Original Message ----- From: "Kent Lufkin" <[EMAIL PROTECTED]> To: <[EMAIL PROTECTED]> Sent: Tuesday, June 03, 2003 2:14 PM Subject: Re: River flows? > Jeff, > > In an exchange on the same subject on another list, one subscriber > points out that the rate of snow melt during any 24 hour period is > not linear but varies as temperatures rise and fall with maximum melt > occurring in the afternoon. > > The spikes in the flow on the NF Snoqualmie reflect the amount of > snow melted during the previous afternoon and the length of time it > takes the accumulated runoff to collect and then reach the gauge. > Since the snow level in the NF drainage is over 3000 feet, it takes > between 8 and 10 hours for the runoff to register on the gauge down > at 1100 feet. > > The sharper the spike, the greater the amount of melt. For example, > May 27 was the record high for the month at 78 degrees in Seattle. > The spike on the NF gauge > (http://waterdata.usgs.gov/wa/nwis/uv?site_no=12142000) that night > was the steepest. > > Since large streams like the main Snoqualmie or Skykomish collect > runoff from a larger drainage with a variety of distances the water > must travel, collection of the melt averages out and the flow rate is > more even during the day. > > Kent Lufkin > > >----- Original Message ----- > >From: "Kent Lufkin" <[EMAIL PROTECTED]> > >> > >> It's not as noticeable or occurs later in the day on the > >> lower-elevation gauges. > >> > >> Anybody know why? > >> > >> Thanks, > >> > >> Kent Lufkin > > > >Kent, > > > >That does seem a bit odd. The rivers I watch in WA. ID. and MT. generally > >start climbing in cfs. mid morning when things start warming up and then > >start to drop off mid afternoon when the cool off begins. > > > >You got my interest... > > > >Jeff >
