Estimation of the Snow Water Equivalent Using Muon Scattering Radiography.

Despite the important hydrological and ecological implications of the snowpack, its real time monitoring remains challenging. This is particularly relevant in relation to the Snow Water Equivalent (SWE), as the available technologies which measure it, exhibit a number of limitations that hinder their operational implementation. In this work, we explore the potential of a new technology, Muon Scattering Radiography, to infer the SWE. We coupled snowpack simulations generated by the SNOWPACK model, with a muon scattering simulation program based on GEANT4. The SWE is modeled as a function of the muon scattering distributions. Predictions of the SWE along the year are provided showing a root‐mean‐square error of 12 mm for 5 hr continuous measurements. We also performed laboratory measurements using ice samples, confirming the SWE estimation capabilities and the potential of the technique to operate as a SWE monitoring tool. Plain Language Summary: The monitoring of the seasonal snowpack is important to understand and predict the dynamics of the hydrological and ecological processes, but its continuous monitoring is still a scientific challenge. Particularly in relation to the Snow Water Equivalent (SWE). The available technologies to monitor the SWE exhibit a number of limitations that prevent its use in many real world cases. Here we explore the potential of a new technology, Muon Scattering Radiography (MSR), to quantify the SWE. MSR is a technique based in the detection of the natural and innocuous radiation of muon particles. The technique consists in the measurement of muon deviations, which are larger when the muons cross very large or dense materials. In this analysis, we simulated the snowpack evolution itself and its measurement process. Then, we determined the relation between muon deviations and SWE. Finally, we estimated the precision in the determination of SWE comparing the predictions to the ground truth in simulation. The results yielded a precision of about 12 mm. We also performed laboratory measurements with ice samples, using a 4 layer muon detector based on multiwire proportional chambers, confirming the potential of the technique to operate as a SWE monitoring tool. Key Points: We test the suitability of Muon Scattering Radiography to infer the Snow Water Equivalent (SWE)Numerical simulations show the technique can estimate the SWE with a precision of around 12 mmLaboratory measurements confirm the results obtained with simulation [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]