• Catchment Management
• Project Background
• Monitoring
• Soil Descriptions
• Vegetation Descriptions
• Topography
• Allt a' Mharcaidh references
• Deposition Chemistry
  • Bulk deposition chemistry
  • Interception deposition chemistry
• Snow
• Vegetation community composition
• Soil characteristics and chemistry
• Ground water chemistry
• Surface water chemistry
• Automatic Weather Station (CEH)
• Current Research Project
• Management of the Reserve

Allt a' Mharcaidh Catchment

Snow survey and chemical data collected in Catchment

Click on map to enlarge

A snow course consisting of nine 2 m long snow stakes was established in the Allt a' Mharcaidh catchment in 1990. The stakes were positioned in locations that were believed to be representative of larger areas of the catchment on the basis of elevation, aspect, topography and vegetation. Sites within the main gully of the catchment (snow stakes 6 and 7) and at the head of this valley (snow stakes 3-5) west of Sgoran Dubh Mor, were particularly important locations as snow tends to accumulate in these topographic hollows. Intervals between surveys were mainly fortnightly, but were more frequent during major periods of snow melt and accumulation, and less frequently when climatic conditions and avalanche risk prevented access. Snow depth was measured with a 3 m long graduated avalanche pole. Depths were also measured at 5 m intervals between stakes 6 and 7 to form a transect across the main gully.

The snow survey ran from 1990 to 1999. In the winter season of 1991-1992 a network of snow sampling sites was established. These were selected to account for chemical variability in the snow with changes in altitude, topography and aspect. Samples were taken from the surface snow for chemical analysis at four sample sites (see map) and density measurements during routine snow surveys. Photographs of the catchment were taken at fortnightly intervals, in a southerly direction, from snow sample site A between 1996 and 1999. Snow sampling at sites B and D ceased in the winter of 1998 with sampling at sites A and C continuing until 1999.

To access the data charts click on interactive chart or use the lists below:

Snow Chemistry

• Snow Site A
• Snow Site B
• Snow Site C
• Snow Site D