A comparison of MODIS and NOHRSC snow‐cover products for simulating streamflow using the Snowmelt Runoff Model

Abstract

Abstract:Remote sensing is an important source of snow-cover extent for input into the Snowmelt Runoff Model (SRM) and other snowmelt models. Since February 2000, daily global snow-cover maps have been produced from data collected by the Moderate Resolution Imaging Spectroradiometer (MODIS). The usefulness of this snow-cover product for streamflow prediction is assessed by comparing SRM simulated streamflow using the MODIS snow-cover product with streamflow simulated using snow maps from the National Operational Hydrologic Remote Sensing Center (NOHRSC). Simulations were conducted for two tributary watersheds of the Upper Rio Grande basin during the 2001 snowmelt season using representative SRM parameter values. Snow depletion curves developed from MODIS and NOHRSC snow maps were generally comparable in both watersheds: satisfactory streamflow simulations were obtained using both snow-cover products in larger watershed (volume difference: MODIS, 2Ð6%; NOHRSC, 14Ð0%) and less satisfactory streamflow simulations in smaller watershed (volume difference: MODIS, 33Ð1%; NOHRSC, 18Ð6%). The snow water equivalent (SWE) on 1 April in the third zone of each basin was computed using the modified depletion curve produced by the SRM and was compared with in situ SWE measured at Snowpack Telemetry sites located in the third zone of each basin. The SRM-calculated SWEs using both snow products agree with the measured SWEs in both watersheds. Based on these results, the MODIS snow-cover product appears to be of sufficient quality for streamflow prediction using the SRM in the snowmelt-dominated basins.

Spatial sensitivity analysis of snow cover data in a distributed rainfall-runoff model

“…7), which shows a rapid discharge rise at the beginning of spring floods. Good results of using MODIS snow prod-ucts in other hydrological models have also been shown by Lee et al (2005), Udnaes et al (2007), Parajka and Blöschl (2008),Şorman et al (2009), Tahir et al (2011 and Berezowski et al (2015). The model performed worse during periods of intensive summer storms.…”

“…A popular approach is to derive snow depletion curves from MODIS SCF and use them in the Snowmelt Runoff Model (SRM) (Martinec, 1975). This approach is still popular and used in recent studies (Lee et al, 2005;Tekeli et al, 2005;Li and Williams, 2008;Butt and Bilal, 2011;Tahir et al, 2011;Bavera et al, 2012). However, the SRM studies are focussed mostly on the winter half-year and are limited to study sites where snowmelt processes are dominant.…”

Estimating degree-day factors from MODIS for snowmelt runoff modeling

“…Advances in remotely sensing techniques help provide more practical information for the calibration of DDF S . There have been numerous comparisons between satellite snow cover products (e.g., Hall et al, 2000Hall et al, , 2002Maurer et al, 2003;Lee et al, 2005;Hall and Riggs, 2007). In particular, MODIS snow covered area (SCA) products have been demonstrated to be of good quality and have been widely used in alpine hydrological modeling (Klein and Barnett, 2003;Dery et al, 2005;Andreadis and Lettenmaier, 2006;Wang et al, 2008;Georgievsky, 2009).…”

Elevation based correction of snow coverage retrieved from satellite images to improve model calibration

“…Several methodologies have been considered to improve the use of satellite images ranging from the field of numerical modelling and ground measurements of snow parameters (Dressler et al, 2006;Bitner et al, 2000;Lee et al, 2005;Ranzi et al, 1999, Tachner et al, 1998 to the development of empirical relationships between flow discharge and snow accumulation and melt (Martinec, 1960).…”