As part of the Avalanche Science Program, all second-year students were required to experience working with professional operations engaged in snow science and avalanche safety work across a variety of applications. I completed my coop work experience working at the Fraser Experimental Forest with NASA's SnowEx project under the supervision of Kelly Elder and Chase Quant.
My work at the Fraser Experimental Forest [FEF] consisted of the following data collection methods on a daily basis.
- several hundred "height of snow" measurements throughout the day.
- numerous field weather observations, 2-4 full data profile snow pits including density measurements.
- measuring the snow water equivalency [SWE] of new precipitation from the interval snow-boards.
- measuring soil moisture as well as collecting soil samples.
The data collected is used to calibrate remote sensing methods, such as on-site radio towers and weekly plane flyovers. These techniques improve our knowledge and understanding of remote sensing capabilities with respect to the snowpack in North America. In addition, these techniques lay the groundwork for future remote satellite sensing missions of large scale snow climates.
One of my greatest takeaways from this experience was the importance of developing my hydrological and snow science research skills. Advancing these skills simultaneously with my avalanche safety skills, constantly relating them to each other, increased my knowledge, and broadened my perspective. Unfortunately, due to the Covid-19 pandemic, my experience working on the SnowEx project has been put on hold.
Below is a list of learning outcomes that I identified before beginning my internship and I have since reflected on.
1.) Observe avalanche safety practices in a variety of workplace settings:
While moving through the field and through potential avalanche terrain I observed the FEF HQ has very similar field safety procedures to the ones the Avalanche Science Program follows for SAO-164 (Snow and Avalanche Observations). Both programs use an InReach for checking in and out of the field with the field site supervisor.
2.) Describe sound work habits by completing an internship over an extended period of time:
The habit I found to be most useful in my cooperative work experience is to have patience. Some of the tasks, such as taking 300 "height of snow" measurements in a row, can be tedious, but the importance of accurate and trustworthy data is immeasurable. Taking shortcuts to obtain inaccurate data will only do more harm than help. Patience while developing your routines and collecting accurate data in a snow and avalanche safety or science job is of the utmost importance.
3.) Develop skills in snow, weather, and avalanche observations in a workplace setting:
Numerous data collections of snow and weather helped advance my observational skills. I quickly learned how to take accurate density measurements after taking 40+ density measurements daily.
4.) Complete a project for the internship site that has a significant educational value to you and practical value for the site:
All the data collection was educationally beneficial to me and used by the FEF and NASA to further their projects.
5.) Engage in a research project related to the snow safety field:
Although this project is more related to the hydrology and research side of the field, rather than snow safety, Chase and I had some insightful discussion on how to relate remote snow sensing to snow instability and avalanches in future projects.