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SnowQUEST Data Collection System

The SnowQUEST System utilizes cutting edge (A) Global Positioning System (GPS) and (B) Ground Penetrating Radar (GPR) technologies to rapidly profile snow depth over large areas, providing a three dimensional spatial description of snow pack characteristics with unparalleled resolution.

The SnowScan(TM) GPR system (http://www.snowscan.com) used by SnowQUEST is towed behind a skier during data collection, allowing quick mapping of large areas.

Ground Penetrating Radar

The depth of the snow pack is measured 4-8 times per second by the SnowScan GPR system as the data collection system travels, via the following process:

  
The GPR antenna (B) emits radar energy into the snow pack
A portion of the signal is reflected at the interface between
the snow and ground surface
This reflected energy is detected by the GPR antenna
The time of travel between the emission of the pulse and the detection of the return reflection is proportional to the snow depth

Global Positioning System

  
The GPS antenna (A) receives two dimensional position information transmitted from Global Positioning satellites
The GPS receiver stores position data, reporting a position at a frequency of once per second as the operator travels

Snow Density

                         
                                     Measurement of snow density
                                      using Federal snow sampler

bulletSnowQUEST depth mapping may be optionally paired with representative measurements of snow density for both natural and artificial snow to estimate snow water equivalent in inches and total snow pack water volume.
bulletIn combination with the high resolution depth map, snow density measurements are used to apportion total snow pack water equivalent between natural and artificial sources and compute other useful analysis statistics.

 

Data Analysis

bulletThe data collected by the integrated system is processed by SnowQUEST analysis software to produce color snow depth maps
 

 

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