Probability Distributions of Snow Course Data for Central Arizona
Affiliation
Department of Watershed Management, University of Arizona, Tucson 85721Issue Date
1973-05-05Keywords
Hydrology -- Arizona.Water resources development -- Arizona.
Hydrology -- Southwestern states.
Water resources development -- Southwestern states.
Snowfall
Water yield
Probability
Distribution patterns
Water equivalent
ArizonaSnowpacksSnowPonderosa pine treesConiferous treesWater supplyWatershed (basins)SnowmeltAblationRegression analysisStatisticsSnow course
Metadata
Show full item recordRights
Copyright ©, where appropriate, is held by the author.Collection Information
This article is part of the Hydrology and Water Resources in Arizona and the Southwest collections. Digital access to this material is made possible by the Arizona-Nevada Academy of Science and the University of Arizona Libraries. For more information about items in this collection, contact anashydrology@gmail.com.Publisher
Arizona-Nevada Academy of ScienceAbstract
A preliminary study of probability distributions for use on snowpack accumulation in the central Arizona highlands was made from 22 snow courses selected as having 10 or more years of available records. Due to the frequent occurrence of zero water equivalent value, application of a single continuous probability distribution is precluded. By means of two distributions, however, the snowpack water equivalent can be assessed by a binomial distribution describing the probability of snow, and a lognormal distribution describing the probability of water equivalent. The area chosen for detailed analysis is where the headwaters of many of Arizona's major river systems occur.ISSN
0272-6106Related items
Showing items related by title, author, creator and subject.
-
Water Resource Alternatives for Power Generation in ArizonaAn examination of potential water sources for power plant cooling in Arizona is presented along with information pertinent to Arizona's future water needs relative to electrical usage growth. It has been projected that Arizona's peak electrical power demands in 1980 and 1990 will exceed that of 1970 by some 5000 megawatts and 16000 megawatts of electricity respectively. At present, the bulk of the electrical energy generated in the western states originates at hydroelectric installations. Utilization of nuclear reactors for power generation requires a larger amount of cooling water than is required for a comparable fossil-fueled plant. It is suggested that the utilization of reclaimed wastewater for cooling purposes is a viable and attractive alternative to groundwater pumpage from both economic and ecological standpoints. Savings arise from conservation of fuel normally required for well pumps, costs of well construction are not required, quantities of fresh water should be released for consumption by alternate users, and a previously unused resource would be effectively recycled.
-
A Rational Water Policy for Desert CitiesFour sources of water supply for desert cities are rainfall, runoff, groundwater, and imported water, and the potential use for each varies. The government can institute various policy changes to eliminate or reduce the imbalance between water supply and demand. Restrictions should be placed on water-use luxuries such as swimming pools, subdivision lakes, fountains, etc. Water pricing should be progressive; each unit of increased use above a reasonable minimum should be charged for at an increasing rate. Runoff from individual properties, homes, storage, and supermarkets should be minimized through the use of onsite recharge wells, and various collection methods should be initiated. A campaign to acquaint the general public with a new water policy must be inaugurated.
-
Economic Alternatives in Solving the U. S.-Mexico Colorado River Water Salinity Problem (invited)A proposed desalting plant is an engineering solution to the effects of a problem which could have been avoided and even now could be reduced on the farm. Water costing $125 per acre-foot will be delivered to Mexico to grow wheat, cotton, garden crops, alfalfa and safflower, of which the average value added per acre-foot was estimated at $80 for cotton and garden crops and $14 for wheat, alfalfa and safflower. The U.S. government, instead of building the desalting complex, could accomplish its purpose just as well by paying each farmer in the Yuma area, in return for the farmers reducing their drainage flow by whatever method they see fit, $114 per acre per year for the next 50 years. With proper management on the farm, the costs of managing salinity need not be high.
