University of Waterloo
Estimating terrestrial snow mass using multi-frequency airborne SAR observations - towards a space-based snow observing system — To improve water resource management in 
places that rely on snowmelt, there is a 
need for high spatial resolution 
observations that are accurate. Radar 
observations of snow are sensitive to snow 
water equivalent (SWE) but there is 
uncertainty in how these observations 
should be used to estimate accumulation.

The purpose of this study is to develop and 
demonstrate improved methods to estimate 
snow accumulation, or SWE, in a Canadian 
prairie and alpine environment using 
airborne radar remote sensing observations 
combined with numerical models. Benefits 
are that a feasible high resolution SWE 
mapping mission concept can be developed 
and demonstrated that can improve snowmelt 
flood prediction and meltwater resource 
management across many parts of Canada.