CLPX Snow Measurements at Local Scale Observation Site in Colorado

Snow depth, snow water equivalence (SWE), snow wetness, and snow pit data collected from two pine sites and a small clearing at the Local Scale Observation Site (LSOS) in northern Colorado. The dataset was created by the National Aeronautics and Space Administration as part of the Cold Land Processes Field Experiment (CLPX). Data collection concluded in March 2003, though metadata records show a later administrative update.

Use Cases

• Validating satellite or airborne snow depth and SWE retrievals using ground-based measurements.
• Analyzing spatial variability of snow properties (depth, density, wetness) between forested and clearing sites.
• Studying snowpack stratigraphy and layer properties through the included snow pit data.
• Calibrating hydrological models that simulate snowmelt runoff in mountainous regions.

Strengths

• Data includes multiple critical snowpack variables: depth, water equivalence, wetness, and pit stratigraphy.
• Measurements are from a controlled field experiment (CLPX) designed for intensive ground observation.
• Spatial coverage includes distinct land cover types (pine sites and a clearing) for comparative analysis.

Limitations

• Exact row count, file size, and specific column names are not provided on any platform.
• A significant conflict exists: the data collection period ended in 2003, but one platform lists a last updated date of 2026, suggesting metadata inconsistency.
• The license is specified as 'other-license-specified' without providing the exact terms.

Provenance

Source

National Aeronautics and Space Administration

Collection Method

Ground measurements collected at the Local Scale Observation Site (LSOS) during the Cold Land Processes Field Experiment (CLPX).

Time Range

Data collection concluded in March 2003.

Freshness

2003-03-30 23:59:59.999000

Geography

Local Scale Observation Site (LSOS) in northern Colorado, USA.