RF reflection from ground through dense snow

[MThornton]

Hello all
I work at a BC Ski-hill... what I need is a method to quickly but accurately measure the depth of dense snow (man-made snow, some might call it ice). Traditional method of mechainically boring through to ground is slow, inaccurate & messy. New GPS based methods require detailed gps mapping & a benchmarked local gps transmit station ($$$).
The goal is to be able to quickly & accurately survey the snowdepth of a wide area.

Sonic is no good, since density of the snowpack may vary widely, with interspersed ice layers.

Q1: Can a radar or other RF reflective measure quickly & accurately measure the depth of dense snowpack? Typical range 30 - 200 cm.

Q2: Any existing product relevant information would be appreciated.

 

[berkeman]

Hello all
I work at a BC Ski-hill... what I need is a method to quickly but accurately measure the depth of dense snow (man-made snow, some might call it ice). Traditional method of mechainically boring through to ground is slow, inaccurate & messy. New GPS based methods require detailed gps mapping & a benchmarked local gps transmit station ($$$).
The goal is to be able to quickly & accurately survey the snowdepth of a wide area.

Sonic is no good, since density of the snowpack may vary widely, with interspersed ice layers.

Q1: Can a radar or other RF reflective measure quickly & accurately measure the depth of dense snowpack? Typical range 30 - 200 cm.

Q2: Any existing product relevant information would be appreciated.

Have you looked into ground penetrating radar equipment? Here's a google hit list:

http://www.google.com/search?source...301US302&q=ground+penetrating+radar+equipment

You could call up some of their technical reps to see what they have to say.

 

[berkeman]

Ha! I refined my initial google search with +snow, and got some pretty good hits. Check out the hit list:

http://www.google.com/search?source...02&q=ground+penetrating+radar+equipment++snow

.