Investigation to MODIS Snow Cover Maps Usage in Snowmelt Runoff Modeling (Case Study: Karaj Dam Basin)

Snow cover was one of important parameter in snow melt runoff model. Because snow telemetry in mountainous basin is difficult, remote sensing image is an alternative object in snow cover mapping. Snow cover maps derived in remote sensing imagery is one of the important data entries in snow melt runoff models. MODIS imagery was selected for deriving snow cover maps in this study. In order to investigate the difference in reflectance bands, vertical profile in each image was generated. Capability of NDSI in MODIS imagery was confirmed. Finally snow melt runoff simulation in Karaj Dam basin was carried out as the fundamental remote sensing data capabilities. Result showed that the NDSI using threshold on band 2 and band 4 demonstrates an efficient relation in snowcover maps. Moreover simulation of snow melt in 2001-2000 with the coefficient of R2=0.4678 and Δv=0.1292 m3/s indicated. The high accuracy of snow cover maps derived from remote sensing data.