Engineering & Public Works
Snow Course Survey
In co-operation with the Provincial Ministry of the Environment, the District
of Summerland operates two snow courses, one at Isintok Lake (# 2F11) and the
other at Summerland Reservoir (#2F02), also known as Headwaters. Snow depth is
measured at ten locations for each snowcourse. An aluminum tube is used to
extract a sample of the snowpack and the weight of the snow within the tube
determines the water equivalent. This is done because the depth alone does not
give an accurate understanding of the volume of water which will be produced
from the snow when it melts. The water equivalent from each snowcourse is
compared to the historical amount measured at each location. It is expressed as
a percentage of the historical value. This gives a means of comparing current
monthly readings to those in the past and serves as a useful tool to gauge the
relative amount of runoff within the watershed. Readings are taken prior to the
first of the month for January to May and mid-monthly for May and June or until
there is no snow.
Snow Course Survey Data
Snow Course Survey Graph