Environment and Protected Areas - Operation and Maintenance of Snow Survey and Meteorological Stations in the Athabasca Oil Sands Region

Under the Oil Sands Monitoring Program (OSMP), Oil Sands Monitoring Branch conducts in-situ snow surveys and meteorological monitoring in the Athabasca Oil Sands Region. The collection of long-term snow and meteorological data supports the characterization of climatic conditions within the lower Athabasca watershed and improves understanding of the natural variability and trends that influence surface water availability in the region. Surface water quantity data are critical for a range of monitoring and management applications including the estimation of total loading (sediment and water quality), support for navigation (e.g., Athabasca mainstem), interpreting data collected by water quality or aquatic ecosystem monitoring results, and the development of environmental base flows to support the protection of aquatic ecosystems. Snow and meteorological data provide essential context for interpreting hydrological conditions and trends by allowing surface water quantity data to be evaluated relative to historical mean or extreme conditions. Together, these datasets improve understanding of the relationships between climate, hydrology, and watershed processes in the Athabasca Oil Sands Region.
The scope of this Service is limited to the collection of in-situ snow data (depth, density and water content) from 16 snow survey sites and maintenance as well as the operation of 7 meteorological stations in the Athabasca Oil Sands Region, see site location in below Fig. 1. Snow surveys are conducted three times a year, in the first weeks of February, March and April at all survey sites. Survey methodology follows applicable best practices and established Standard Operating Procedures that outline the requirements for sample collection, field measurements, and recording of field observations, and QA/QC. The program currently conducts 10-points snow survey methodology, where all 10 points are marked, and snow depth and cores are collected at each point using the calibrated Standard Federal Snow Sampler.