Estimate of Snowmelt runoff using MODIS data

Snow-cover and its equivalent water, supply 1/3 of the water requirements for farming and land irrigation throughout the world. Therefore, water contents estimation of a snow-cover or estimation of snowmelt runoff is necessary for hydrologists. Several snowmelt-forecasting models have been suggested which most of them require continuous monitoring of snow-cover. The most efficient means of monitoring snowcover patches are remote monitoring through satellites imagery. In this research, snowmelt runoff forecasted in a new scheme, using maximum and mean daily temperatures, two snowmelt measuring device and MODIS data. According to the outcome results, one can map snow-covered area with sufficient precision using MODIS data, while the map is useful for related calculations about snow patches. We calculated, after studying the satellite images, the snow-cover changes predicted in a new way for the periods that the MODIS data was not available. Maps were produced and with control of ground truthing their very high precisions confirmed. The melted water resulted from temperature changes were modeled as equations, which, their calculated amounts are comparable to the ground truthing points very well. With regards of water flow changes, equations calculated to estimate the daily melted water flow. These equations are comparable to the ground truthing points as well.