Use of Landsat multispectral imagery in estimating snow areal extent and snow water content cost-effectively

Landsat color composites are used in conjunction with a limited amount of aerial survey data and ground-truth measurements in order to estimate snow areal extent and snow water content. The snow water content estimations are based on the inexpensive Landsat data and the much more expensively obtained information on ground snow courses. A cost-effectiveness analysis of the procedures showed the expenses involved in obtaining confidence intervals of 80, 90, 95 and 99% for the estimates.