Melting snows

Streamflows increase steadily from March through April

Larch site snow lysimeter

Mature cedar site snow lysimeter

Young cedar site snow lysimeter

Tracks in the snow (Kamoshika deer)

After a one-month break from visiting Takiya River, there had been a major change in the seasons from late winter to full swing snowmelt season. Study the hydrograph above and see how the streamflows have increased steadily from the start of March. There are several peaks which generally occur with rain-on-snow, but notice how the low-flow level between the peaks is rising through March and April. This is the season when discharge is consistently high due to the melting snows. April normally has the largest monthly discharge value for the year.