Study of the snowmelt effects on surface and ground water in the Bahar basin using remote sensing data

According to recent Studies, about 60 percent of surface waters and 57 Percent ground waters are located in snowy zones in Iran. In most areas of northern hemisphere and alpine environment areas, snow melt lead to the maximum instantaneous flow rate and is an important part of annual discharge. The present study investigated the effect of snowmelt on the surface waters and ground waters in Bahar basin. Daily snow cover area for 2005-2006 and 2006-2007 were determined using MODIS sensor. Then the daily change in snow with a daily river discharge were studied during two years. The results revealed that the water from melting snow in spring, especially in April, effect the discharge and provides a considerable amount of river flow in this season. During the 2006-2007,due to increse of temperatures during the snowmelt season, compared to the 2005-2006, an increase in peak flow occurred earlier than 2005-2006. The highest water level occurred during the period 2006-2007 2.95 m, that were provided 64.89 MCM of the 286.13 MCM of water reservoir fraction. Result also showed that snowmelt period matches the highest level of monthly water table.