Articles | Volume 12, issue 1
https://doi.org/10.5194/tc-12-287-2018
© Author(s) 2018. This work is distributed under
the Creative Commons Attribution 3.0 License.
the Creative Commons Attribution 3.0 License.
https://doi.org/10.5194/tc-12-287-2018
© Author(s) 2018. This work is distributed under
the Creative Commons Attribution 3.0 License.
the Creative Commons Attribution 3.0 License.
Research article
| 
23 Jan 2018
Research article |
| 23 Jan 2018
Hydrologic flow path development varies by aspect during spring snowmelt in complex subalpine terrain
Institute of Arctic and Alpine Research, University of Colorado,
Boulder, CO 80309, USA
Steven R. Fassnacht
Department of Ecosystem Science and Sustainability, Colorado State
University, Fort Collins, CO 80523, USA
Michael N. Gooseff
Institute of Arctic and Alpine Research, University of Colorado,
Boulder, CO 80309, USA
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Cited
31 citations as recorded by crossref.
- Representing subgrid precipitation variability in snowpack and hydrological modeling: Is adding complexity worth it? F. Givovich et al. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.jhydrol.2025.134038
- On the hydrological difference between catchments above and below the intermittent‐persistent snow transition H. Harrison et al. https://doi.org/10.1002/hyp.14411
- Laboratory Observations of Preferential Flow Paths in Snow Using Upward-Looking Polarimetric Radar and Hyperspectral Imaging C. Donahue & K. Hammonds https://doi.org/10.3390/rs14102297
- Spatiotemporal Variations in Liquid Water Content in a Seasonal Snowpack: Implications for Radar Remote Sensing R. Bonnell et al. https://doi.org/10.3390/rs13214223
- Quantifying contributions of snowmelt water to streamflow using graphical and chemical hydrograph separation S. Miller et al. https://doi.org/10.1002/hyp.13981
- Extending the vadose zone: Characterizing the role of snow for liquid water storage and transmission in streamflow generation R. Webb et al. https://doi.org/10.1002/hyp.14541
- Multi-instrumental monitoring of snowmelt infiltration in Vallon de Nant, Swiss Alps J. Eeckman et al. https://doi.org/10.5194/hess-29-4093-2025
- Partitioning snowmelt and rainfall in the critical zone: effects of climate type and soil properties J. Hammond et al. https://doi.org/10.5194/hess-23-3553-2019
- Thermohydraulic experiments on water infiltration into frozen slopes: the role of macropores and initial water content J. Bauer et al. https://doi.org/10.5194/tc-20-3483-2026
- Advanced monitoring of soil-vegetation co-dynamics reveals the successive controls of snowmelt on soil moisture and on plant seasonal dynamics in a mountainous watershed B. Dafflon et al. https://doi.org/10.3389/feart.2023.976227
- Investigating Microtopographic and Soil Controls on a Mountainous Meadow Plant Community Using High‐Resolution Remote Sensing and Surface Geophysical Data N. Falco et al. https://doi.org/10.1029/2018JG004394
- Insights Into Preferential Flow Snowpack Runoff Using Random Forest F. Avanzi et al. https://doi.org/10.1029/2019WR024828
- Compound Hydro-Geomorphic Hazards in European Mountain Regions: A Roadmap for Research on Postfire and Frozen Soil Dynamics I. Baselt et al. https://doi.org/10.1659/mrd.2025.00053
- A deep learning hybrid predictive modeling (HPM) approach for estimating evapotranspiration and ecosystem respiration J. Chen et al. https://doi.org/10.5194/hess-25-6041-2021
- Mechanisms of spring freshet generation in southern Quebec, Canada C. Kinnard et al. https://doi.org/10.1080/07011784.2024.2375346
- Runoff sensitivity to snow depletion curve representation within a continental scale hydrologic model G. Sexstone et al. https://doi.org/10.1002/hyp.13735
- Snowfall Fraction, Cold Content, and Energy Balance Changes Drive Differential Response to Simulated Warming in an Alpine and Subalpine Snowpack K. Jennings & N. Molotch https://doi.org/10.3389/feart.2020.00186
- Applicability evaluation and improvement of different snow evaporation calculation methods in the Great Xing’an mountains Y. Lin et al. https://doi.org/10.1007/s12145-021-00597-3
- The Presence of Hydraulic Barriers in Layered Snowpacks: TOUGH2 Simulations and Estimated Diversion Lengths R. Webb et al. https://doi.org/10.1007/s11242-018-1079-1
- Rain, Snow and Frozen Soil: Open Questions from a Porescale Perspective with Implications for Geohazards I. Baselt & T. Heinze https://doi.org/10.3390/geosciences11090375
- Influence of Slope Aspect and Vegetation on the Soil Moisture Response to Snowmelt in the German Alps M. Schaefer et al. https://doi.org/10.3390/hydrology11070101
- The Simulation of L-Band Microwave Emission of Frozen Soil during the Thawing Period with the Community Microwave Emission Model (CMEM) S. Lv et al. https://doi.org/10.34133/2022/9754341
- Uncovering the melt: Unmanned Aircraft System (UAS) and in-situ sensor synergies reveal dissolved organic carbon (DOC) pathways in a northern peatland P. Korhonen et al. https://doi.org/10.5194/hess-30-3019-2026
- Aspect controls on the spatial redistribution of snow water equivalence through the lateral flow of liquid water in a subalpine catchment K. Mooney & R. Webb https://doi.org/10.5194/tc-19-2507-2025
- The Spatial and Temporal Variability of Meltwater Flow Paths: Insights From a Grid of Over 100 Snow Lysimeters R. Webb et al. https://doi.org/10.1002/2017WR020866
- Streamflow partitioning and transit time distribution in snow-dominated basins as a function of climate Z. Fang et al. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.jhydrol.2019.01.029
- Slope Aspect Differentiation of the Freeze–Thaw Process of Seasonally Frozen Soil in the Great Xing’an Mountain and Its Response to Climate Warming H. Jiang et al. https://doi.org/10.3390/su18094294
- Hydrologic connectivity at the hillslope scale through intra‐snowpack flow paths during snowmelt R. Webb et al. https://doi.org/10.1002/hyp.13686
- Two-dimensional liquid water flow through snow at the plot scale in continental snowpacks: simulations and field data comparisons R. Webb et al. https://doi.org/10.5194/tc-15-1423-2021
- Within‐Stand Boundary Effects on Snow Water Equivalent Distribution in Forested Areas R. Webb et al. https://doi.org/10.1029/2019WR024905
- Hydrological behaviour of an ice‐layered snowpack in a non‐mountainous environment A. Paquotte & M. Baraer https://doi.org/10.1002/hyp.14433
31 citations as recorded by crossref.
- Representing subgrid precipitation variability in snowpack and hydrological modeling: Is adding complexity worth it? F. Givovich et al. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.jhydrol.2025.134038
- On the hydrological difference between catchments above and below the intermittent‐persistent snow transition H. Harrison et al. https://doi.org/10.1002/hyp.14411
- Laboratory Observations of Preferential Flow Paths in Snow Using Upward-Looking Polarimetric Radar and Hyperspectral Imaging C. Donahue & K. Hammonds https://doi.org/10.3390/rs14102297
- Spatiotemporal Variations in Liquid Water Content in a Seasonal Snowpack: Implications for Radar Remote Sensing R. Bonnell et al. https://doi.org/10.3390/rs13214223
- Quantifying contributions of snowmelt water to streamflow using graphical and chemical hydrograph separation S. Miller et al. https://doi.org/10.1002/hyp.13981
- Extending the vadose zone: Characterizing the role of snow for liquid water storage and transmission in streamflow generation R. Webb et al. https://doi.org/10.1002/hyp.14541
- Multi-instrumental monitoring of snowmelt infiltration in Vallon de Nant, Swiss Alps J. Eeckman et al. https://doi.org/10.5194/hess-29-4093-2025
- Partitioning snowmelt and rainfall in the critical zone: effects of climate type and soil properties J. Hammond et al. https://doi.org/10.5194/hess-23-3553-2019
- Thermohydraulic experiments on water infiltration into frozen slopes: the role of macropores and initial water content J. Bauer et al. https://doi.org/10.5194/tc-20-3483-2026
- Advanced monitoring of soil-vegetation co-dynamics reveals the successive controls of snowmelt on soil moisture and on plant seasonal dynamics in a mountainous watershed B. Dafflon et al. https://doi.org/10.3389/feart.2023.976227
- Investigating Microtopographic and Soil Controls on a Mountainous Meadow Plant Community Using High‐Resolution Remote Sensing and Surface Geophysical Data N. Falco et al. https://doi.org/10.1029/2018JG004394
- Insights Into Preferential Flow Snowpack Runoff Using Random Forest F. Avanzi et al. https://doi.org/10.1029/2019WR024828
- Compound Hydro-Geomorphic Hazards in European Mountain Regions: A Roadmap for Research on Postfire and Frozen Soil Dynamics I. Baselt et al. https://doi.org/10.1659/mrd.2025.00053
- A deep learning hybrid predictive modeling (HPM) approach for estimating evapotranspiration and ecosystem respiration J. Chen et al. https://doi.org/10.5194/hess-25-6041-2021
- Mechanisms of spring freshet generation in southern Quebec, Canada C. Kinnard et al. https://doi.org/10.1080/07011784.2024.2375346
- Runoff sensitivity to snow depletion curve representation within a continental scale hydrologic model G. Sexstone et al. https://doi.org/10.1002/hyp.13735
- Snowfall Fraction, Cold Content, and Energy Balance Changes Drive Differential Response to Simulated Warming in an Alpine and Subalpine Snowpack K. Jennings & N. Molotch https://doi.org/10.3389/feart.2020.00186
- Applicability evaluation and improvement of different snow evaporation calculation methods in the Great Xing’an mountains Y. Lin et al. https://doi.org/10.1007/s12145-021-00597-3
- The Presence of Hydraulic Barriers in Layered Snowpacks: TOUGH2 Simulations and Estimated Diversion Lengths R. Webb et al. https://doi.org/10.1007/s11242-018-1079-1
- Rain, Snow and Frozen Soil: Open Questions from a Porescale Perspective with Implications for Geohazards I. Baselt & T. Heinze https://doi.org/10.3390/geosciences11090375
- Influence of Slope Aspect and Vegetation on the Soil Moisture Response to Snowmelt in the German Alps M. Schaefer et al. https://doi.org/10.3390/hydrology11070101
- The Simulation of L-Band Microwave Emission of Frozen Soil during the Thawing Period with the Community Microwave Emission Model (CMEM) S. Lv et al. https://doi.org/10.34133/2022/9754341
- Uncovering the melt: Unmanned Aircraft System (UAS) and in-situ sensor synergies reveal dissolved organic carbon (DOC) pathways in a northern peatland P. Korhonen et al. https://doi.org/10.5194/hess-30-3019-2026
- Aspect controls on the spatial redistribution of snow water equivalence through the lateral flow of liquid water in a subalpine catchment K. Mooney & R. Webb https://doi.org/10.5194/tc-19-2507-2025
- The Spatial and Temporal Variability of Meltwater Flow Paths: Insights From a Grid of Over 100 Snow Lysimeters R. Webb et al. https://doi.org/10.1002/2017WR020866
- Streamflow partitioning and transit time distribution in snow-dominated basins as a function of climate Z. Fang et al. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.jhydrol.2019.01.029
- Slope Aspect Differentiation of the Freeze–Thaw Process of Seasonally Frozen Soil in the Great Xing’an Mountain and Its Response to Climate Warming H. Jiang et al. https://doi.org/10.3390/su18094294
- Hydrologic connectivity at the hillslope scale through intra‐snowpack flow paths during snowmelt R. Webb et al. https://doi.org/10.1002/hyp.13686
- Two-dimensional liquid water flow through snow at the plot scale in continental snowpacks: simulations and field data comparisons R. Webb et al. https://doi.org/10.5194/tc-15-1423-2021
- Within‐Stand Boundary Effects on Snow Water Equivalent Distribution in Forested Areas R. Webb et al. https://doi.org/10.1029/2019WR024905
- Hydrological behaviour of an ice‐layered snowpack in a non‐mountainous environment A. Paquotte & M. Baraer https://doi.org/10.1002/hyp.14433
Saved (final revised paper)
Latest update: 18 Sep 2026
Short summary
We observed how snowmelt is transported on a hillslope through multiple measurements of snow and soil moisture across a small headwater catchment. We found that snowmelt flows through the snow with less infiltration on north-facing slopes and infiltrates the ground on south-facing slopes. This causes an increase in snow water equivalent at the base of the north-facing slope by as much as 170 %. We present a conceptualization of flow path development to improve future investigations.
We observed how snowmelt is transported on a hillslope through multiple measurements of snow and...
