Modelling capillary hysteresis effects on preferential flow through melting and cold layered snowpacks

Leroux, Nicolas; Pomeroy, John W.

doi:10.1016/j.advwatres.2017.06.024

Cited by 40 publications

(84 citation statements)

References 57 publications

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“…Wever et al (2016b) also suggested that 3-D models should analyse heat exchange around the preferential flow path; therefore, future developments of our model will consider heating and melt-freeze processes (e.g. the model of Leroux and Pomeroy, 2017). For this, laboratory experiments of ice layer formation will be needed for validation.…”

Section: Discussionmentioning

confidence: 99%

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Liquid water infiltration into a layered snowpack: evaluation of a 3-D water transport model with laboratory experiments

Hirashima

Avanzi

Yamaguchi

2017

Hydrol. Earth Syst. Sci.

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Abstract. The heterogeneous movement of liquid water through the snowpack during precipitation and snowmelt leads to complex liquid water distributions that are important for avalanche and runoff forecasting. We reproduced the formation of capillary barriers and the development of preferential flow through snow using a three-dimensional water transport model, which was then validated using laboratory experiments of liquid water infiltration into layered, initially dry snow. Three-dimensional simulations assumed the same column shape and size, grain size, snow density, and water input rate as the laboratory experiments. Model evaluation focused on the timing of water movement, thickness of the upper layer affected by ponding, water content profiles and wet snow fraction. Simulation results showed that the model reconstructs relevant features of capillary barriers, including ponding in the upper layer, preferential infiltration far from the interface, and the timing of liquid water arrival at the snow base. In contrast, the area of preferential flow paths was usually underestimated and consequently the averaged water content in areas characterized by preferential flow paths was also underestimated. Improving the representation of preferential infiltration into initially dry snow is necessary to reproduce the transition from a dry-snow-dominant condition to a wet-snow-dominant one, especially in long-period simulations.

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Section: Discussionmentioning

confidence: 99%

“…Similarly, Leroux and Pomeroy (2017) developed a 2-D water transport model based on the scheme of Hirashima et al (2014a), but considering melt-freeze processes. Reproducing heterogeneous processes in a 1-D or 2-D model requires several assumptions.…”

Section: Introductionmentioning

confidence: 99%

Liquid water infiltration into a layered snowpack: evaluation of a 3-D water transport model with laboratory experiments

Hirashima

Avanzi

Yamaguchi

2017

Hydrol. Earth Syst. Sci.

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“…However, these non‐destructive observations are unable to identify the specific flow paths and constraining mechanics that create the spatio‐temporal variability in meltwater outflow. Other studies have observed and modelled preferential flow paths one dimensionally in the vertical direction (e.g., Würzer, Wever, Juras, Lehning, & Jonas, ), whereas studies that have considered multidimensional intra‐snowpack flow have been limited to the centimetre to metre scale (e.g., Hirashima, Avanzi, & Yamaguchi, ; Hirashima, Yamaguchi, & Katsushima, ; Leroux & Pomeroy, ). Thus, there remains a need for observations that quantify the scale of intra‐snowpack flow paths at the hydrologically meaningful plot scale (metres to tens of metres) similar to previous lysimeter array studies.…”

Section: Introductionmentioning

confidence: 99%

Hydrologic connectivity at the hillslope scale through intra‐snowpack flow paths during snowmelt

Webb

Wigmore

Jennings

et al. 2020

Hydrological Processes

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The seasonal snowmelt period is a critical component of the hydrologic cycle for many mountainous areas. Changes in the timing and rate of snowmelt as a result of physical hydrologic flow paths, such as longitudinal intra‐snowpack flow paths, can have strong implications on the partitioning of meltwater amongst streamflow, groundwater recharge, and soil moisture storage. However, intra‐snowpack flow paths are highly spatially and temporally variable and thus difficult to observe. This study utilizes new methods to non‐destructively observe spatio‐temporal changes in the liquid water content of snow in combination with plot experiments to address the research question: What is the scale of influence that intra‐snowpack flow paths have on the downslope movement of liquid water during snowmelt across an elevational gradient? This research took place in northern Colorado with study plots spanning from the rain‐snow transition zone up to the high alpine. Results indicate an increasing scale of influence from intra‐snowpack flow paths with elevation, showing higher hillslope connectivity producing larger intra‐snowpack contributing areas for meltwater accumulation, quantified as the upslope contributing area required to produce observed changes in liquid water content from melt rate estimates. The total effective intra‐snowpack contributing area of accumulating liquid water was found to be 17, 6, and 0 m2 for the above tree line, near tree line, and below tree line plots, respectively. Dye tracer experiments show capillary and permeability barriers result in increased number and thickness of intra‐snowpack flow paths at higher elevations. We additionally utilized aerial photogrammetry in combination with ground penetrating radar surveys to investigate the role of this hydrologic process at the small watershed scale. Results here indicate that intra‐snowpack flow paths have influence beyond the plot scale, impacting the storage and transmission of liquid water within the snowpack at the small watershed scale.

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“…The multidimensional model used in this paper does not consider hysteresis (Adachi et al, ) and parametrizes water entry suction using an empirical approach developed primarily for water repellent porous media (see section ). Using water entry suction instead of hysteresis leads, however, to an unrealistic increase of pressure and can potentially cause model instabilities (Leroux & Pomeroy, ). Also, Leroux and Pomeroy () pointed out that neglecting capillary hysteresis leads to an overestimation of capillary pressure at the tip of the preferential flow path, where saturation overshoot takes place (DiCarlo, ).…”

Section: Discussionmentioning

confidence: 99%

Wet‐Snow Metamorphism Drives the Transition From Preferential to Matrix Flow in Snow

Hirashima

Avanzi

Wever

2019

Geophysical Research Letters

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In order to explain the poorly understood transition between preferential and matrix flow in snow, we compared observations from a cold-laboratory experiment with predictions from a multidimensional water transport snow model. We found a good agreement between the modeled and observed evolution of grain size distributions if two or three dimensions are considered by the model, which validates existing theories of snow grain growth. Furthermore, the model reproduced the spatial migration of preferential flow paths with time and a progressive homogenization of snow wetness and structure only if grain growth was simulated. Spatially varying grain growth thus drives the transition from a preferential flow to a matrix flow regime. This transition is faster when grain size and density are lower, or infiltration rates are higher. This explains why preferential flow is more persistent in firn than in snow.

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Modelling capillary hysteresis effects on preferential flow through melting and cold layered snowpacks

Cited by 40 publications

References 57 publications

Liquid water infiltration into a layered snowpack: evaluation of a 3-D water transport model with laboratory experiments

Liquid water infiltration into a layered snowpack: evaluation of a 3-D water transport model with laboratory experiments

Hydrologic connectivity at the hillslope scale through intra‐snowpack flow paths during snowmelt

Wet‐Snow Metamorphism Drives the Transition From Preferential to Matrix Flow in Snow

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