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Nutrient Transport in Arctic Watersheds

Hey Melissa, So I have to admit that after my trip I'm trying to get caught up with everyone's blogs that I missed while I was readjusting, so I may be asking a question that is well explained in an earlier post. However, I'm curious about these weirs that I keep seeing. Is the point to figure out how much snow is melting and calculate the flow rate? You mention shoveling snow behind the weirs in one of your blogs. Wouldn't shoveling snow have a huge impact on the flow rate? I feel like I'm missing something.

Thanks, Amber

Fri, 06/01/2012 - 21:12

Melissa Barker

Hello Amber! Great to hear from you. I really enjoyed your journals... now to answer your question.The weirs direct the flow from the water track to a notch where we can then measure flow rate. Once the ground thaws more we will install flumes at the notch that will help with the discharge calculation. We shovel out behind the weirs so that we don't create backwater that will cause the water level to rise on the uphill side of the weir. Also we are able to see if the weirs have leaks and fix them. We did have to shovel a small channel above the weir at some of the sites so that we can add salt slugs to measure discharge, but other than that we try not to disrupt the snow above the weir.
Thanks for your question.
Melissa