Snowmelt Hydrology of two subarctic slopes, Southern Yukon, Canada

摘要: Large quantities of water are discharged from subarctic basins during snowmelt season. Runoff contributing areas as well timing and magnitude meltwater generation different slopes highly variable. Two in the lower Wolf Creek basin, southern Yukon, were studied 1997. The south-facing slope has a dense aspen forest that is leafless melt period (April – May) underlain by seasonal frost. north-facing open stands spruce an organic layer rests on mineral soils with permafrost. In 1997, advanced over 10 days south slope, which receives more solar radiation than north aspect. All infiltrates frozen silt without generating runoff. By time significant events occur frost snow gone south. Meltwater able to infiltrate soil but deep percolation prevented ice-rich substrate. Lateral flow begins after saturated, much runoff along intermittent rills fed diffuse pipe flows. Rills pipes interconnected drainage network area change depending disposition table positions relative local topography. Contrasts between have important implications direct period. Situations similar study site can be found elsewhere North America observed processes bearing upon hydrological modelling for environment.