Snow Course Surveys

Each year, the District of Summerland works in partnership with the Provincial Ministry of Environment to monitor snow conditions at two locations within our watershed:

• Isintok Lake (#2F11)
• Summerland Reservoir – (Headwaters #2F02).

These surveys help us estimate how much water is stored in the winter snowpack and how much runoff we can expect in the spring. This information supports local water supply planning, flood and drought preparedness, and provincial resource management such as hydroelectric power generation, fisheries, and wildlife management.

Purpose of Snow Surveys

The measured water content is compared to historical data for each site and expressed as a percentage of the historical average. This allows District staff to:

• Compare current snowpack levels to past years
• Forecast spring runoff more accurately
• Plan and manage water resources for the season ahead

How Snow Is Measured

Surveys begin around January 1 and continue monthly through May, with additional readings in May and June if snow remains.

At each location, staff measure snow at ten sampling sites to ensure accurate and consistent results.

Using a specialized graduated aluminum tube, staff measure:

• Snow depth, read directly from the tube
• Snow Water Equivalent (SWE) — the amount of water contained in the snow

A core sample of snow is extracted and weighed to determine how much water it holds. This method is important because water content depends not just on how deep the snow is, but also on how dense it is (wet, heavy snow contains more water than light, fluffy snow).

When snow depth is less than 50 cm, samples are combined and weighed together to improve accuracy.

In this video, see how the District of Summerland
measures snow at Isintok Lake.

Data & Graphs 

Snow Course Survey Data

Snow Course Survey Graphs