How Much Water Is In Snow Experiment

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How Much Water is in Snow?
Senior Years
Adapted from
National Park Service
Objective: Students will collect snow samples and find out how much water there is in
the snow. This information can be used to discuss implications for water supply and
flooding.
Materials: Clear sampling containers (same volume and weight), scale, small shovels or
metal serving spoons, data sheet.
Procedure: Assign groups to take samples from the top, middle and bottom of a
snowbank in different areas on the schoolyard. Focus on areas that are very different in
degree of snow pack (middle of field, snow left by plow, along footpath, in shrubs).
1. Split class into groups, and set boundaries for where you are going to extract your
samples before you head outside. Have students label their sampling containers
with waterproof labels, and record the weight of their containers.
2. Make sure when collecting snow samples to fill containers to the top, without
leaving air space, but don't pack the snow down.
3. Return to classroom to review your data. Have students weigh their samples and
record information about the snow. Allow snow to melt in containers to visually
compare water content.
4. Have all groups share their answers. Discuss why there is variation. Where in the
snowpack does the snow seem to be the most dense (top, middle, bottom)? The
looser snow at the bottom of the snowbank is known as pukak snow and is used
as shelter by many animals such as voles and ermine. Heat trapped next to the
ground will keep these animals warm all winter long.
5. As a class discuss the importance of snow density. Why would we want to know
how much water is in the snow? This affects the prediction of floods, which is a
very important thing to know in Manitoba. What else would we need to know,
other than snow density, to calculate how much water is in the snow around our
school? (snow depth)
6. Find a Manitoba snow depth map at:

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