Northern water proposes to partner with airborne snow observatories, INC

The Bureau of Reclamation awarded a $1,078,490.19 Cooperative Agreement to the Northern Colorado Water Conservancy District (Northern Water) under the Snow Water Supply Forecasting program (CFDA 15.078) to conduct airborne snow surveys over the Colorado River headwaters. Over the next 3 years, Northern Water will partner with Airborne Snow Observatories, Inc. to perform 3 airborne snow surveys per year during the spring runoff period. The data collected from these surveys, along with ISNOBAL model results and streamflow forecasts, will be used to improve water resource decision-making by Northern Water and the Colorado Basin River Forecast Center. This project aims to enhance the skill of water supply forecasts by leveraging emerging snow monitoring technologies to complement existing techniques.

To conduct three airborne snow observatories snow surveys per year during spring runoff over the next three years over the colorado river headwaters. These surveys will be paired with isnobal model results, and streamflow forecasts and will improve water resources decision-making for northern water. Northern will continue to use airborne snow observatories to inform internal forecasts and coordinate with the colorado basin river forecast center to use airborne snow observatories data collected from this and other projects to improve their experimental and operational streamflow forecasts.