Snowmelt Infiltration and Runoff on Frozen Ground

摘要

Many cold region floods have resulted by snow ablation. Accurate flood magnitude predictions using computer models hinge on an understanding of the hydrologic role of frozen soils. Moisture content was examined to determine how its profile in soils changes over the Winter season, and how such moisture redistribution influences snowmelt infiltration in the Spring. Soil moisture generally migrated towards the freezing front from warmer soils, resulting in moisture content increase near the mineral soil surface. With high ice contents, the infiltration rate (IR) is reduced and greater runoff is produced. The variation in IR of Fairbanks silt loom for frozen and unfrozen conditions was studied using double ring infiltrometer test methods.