5.3.1 Introduction

Dye test showing the transport of water through a snowpackIt's now March and springtime melting has begun. Melting produces liquid in or on the top of the snowpack, which is pulled along the slope or down through the pack by gravity. The rest of the process is similar to that described in the flat land scenario.

(To summarize, the routing of the water depends on the structure of the snowpack. If the liquid runs into obstacles, it will travel along the path of least resistance, which a layer may provide. If there's too much water, it will either pond or travel vertically. If the water encounters a capillary barrier, it will move parallel to the snow layers rather than through them.)