MUSICALS – Multiscale Snow/Icemelt Discharge Simulation for Alpine Reservoirs

With respect to climate change, the assessment and prediction of the snow and ice water resources in alpine head watersheds are an issue of major importance for the operation of alpine reservoirs and water management in general. The project analyses the spatial and temporal variability of discharge, snow cover and ice resources of alpine catchments. It aims at developing methods to assess snow and ice melt contribution to discharge in order to improve the management of alpine hydropower reservoirs under climate change conditions. Moreover, seasonal predictions of snow water equivalent and runoff are provided based on a newly developed water balance model.