Cooperator Snow Survey Resources

Ensuring the accuracy of our snow survey data is critical to our Snow Survey mission. The integrity of our sample sets, particularly the aluminum tubes and scales, supports a crucial role in this endeavor. We understand that your sample sets are the tools of your trade, and like any finely tuned instrument, they require care and maintenance. Just as the precision scale must be recalibrated, our aluminum sample tubes may need attention to maintain their performance.

We perform a meticulous inspection, check the scale’s accuracy and ensure the most precise measurements possible. If you haven’t already, consider sending in your sample sets for maintenance. Your diligence in this matter not only enhances the reliability of our data but also contributes to the accuracy and thoroughness of our work. Together, we ensure the highest standards in snow surveying.

When sending in your sample sets, include the Sample Set Maintenance Form with your shipment, linked below. This form is vital for us to understand any specific maintenance your sample set may have.

The snow survey schedule can be found here. Snow surveys are to be completed during the last five working days of each month. If unforeseen circumstance prevents you or your team from conducting a survey during this timeframe, inform us as soon as possible. We will make every effort to ensure the survey is covered.

If there has been a change in survey personnel, it is crucial to notify our office. This allows us to update the schedule accurately and supports a smooth transition for survey operations. If you are a new surveyor or have taken over a snow course for the upcoming season, please fill out the this form here.

1. Send a digital scan of each snow note to ug-codco-snow-survey@usda.gov. To scan your snow notes, we recommend using Adobe Scan (video tutorial here), which is a free scanning application that works on both Android and iPhone platforms. We request that you scan the front and back of each snow note and save the file in the .pdf format.
2. Name your snow note scan “Snow Course Name_Official Survey Date.pdf”. For example, the surveys that we complete at the end of January are actually for the official February 1 report, therefore a Mesa Lakes snow course scan from this month will be named “Mesa Lakes_February 1.pdf".
3. Email the scanned snow notes with the subject line as “State Abbr River Basin Official Survey Date” , where the River Basin refers to which major CO River Basin the snow course is located in (South Platte, Arkansas, Rio Grande, Animas-San Juan-Miguel-Dolores, Gunnison, Colorado, Yampa-White, and North Platte). If you are unsure which basin, you may reference this interactive map to determine each snow course’s River Basin. An example email subject would be “CO Gunnison February 1”.
4. Submit your survey data as soon as possible following your survey.
5. If you don't have internet access and must phone in the readings, provide your name and phone number, the name of the site, the date the site was measured, average snow depth, average water equivalent and density and a date when you anticipate emailing a scan of the snow note(s). Scans of the snow notes need to be emailed as soon as possible despite the phone in results.

The original, completed hard copy field notes must always be mailed to our Denver Office as soon as possible after each survey.  If you have any notes from previous years, we ask that you also mail them, so our records are complete. Mail all field notes directly to:

Natural Resources Conservation Service
Attn: Snow Survey Data Collection Office
Denver Federal Center, Building 56, Room 2604
P.O. Box 25426
Denver, CO  80225-0426

Safety is our top priority in snowpack measurements. Attending West-Wide Snow Survey (WWSS) Training School every three years is not only essential for maintaining high-quality snowpack measurements, but it also plays a crucial role in securing the safety and well-being of our surveyors.

If your snow travel primarily involves snowshoes, and safety concerns are minimal, WWSS attendance may not be required.

Cooperators are welcome to attend WWSS. To do so, please contact your NRCS Snow Survey Contact for prior communication and support. Costs for lodging and travel are covered by the agency for NRCS staff. Cooperators are responsible for their expenses.

Find detailed policy information on snow school, safety, CPR, first aid, and physical requirements here

Sampling Basics

While collecting snow samples, be sure to suspend the balance scale from a ski pole or cord.  Never hold the scale by the scale body during weighing.  Refer to and closely follow the sketch map for location of sampling points, and let us know if you need a new map. Measure the distance between sample points with a tape; do not pace the distance off. Refresh your memory of snow surveying techniques by reviewing the Snow Survey Sampling Guide (Handbook 169).  If you will be reading shallow courses (less than 1 ft. of snow depth), use bulk sampling procedures. Feel free to reach out with any questions.

Important Technique Reminders

Re-sample points if your overall snow note density spread is more than 5 percent. Resampling several points can reveal that one or more samples were of poor quality and did not represent true snowpack characteristics. If upon resampling 2-3 sample points the density spread remains > 5 percent, that is acceptable and representative of natural variation in the snowpack. Submit your original snow note, regardless of how messy it is. You are welcome to make a copy or re-write the snow note for personal needs, but we require your original note for our official government records. Your original note also helps us see which sample points were re-sampled.

Your photo contributions add a personal touch to our Water Supply Outlook Reports. On-site photos capture an important part of our work and provide a more comprehensive view of snow conditions. We always look forward to featuring your photos and encourage surveyors to keep those camera lenses focused on the surveying process. Your photos are not only valuable for our reports but also a testament to the dedication and passion we bring to our snow surveying mission.

E-mail us at co-nrcs-snow@usda.gov

Call us at:

• Main Colorado Contact: Maureen Cassidy: 720-788-2710
• Main Arizona Contact: Travis Kolling: 602-280-8834
• Main New Mexico Contact: Jaz Ammon: 505-761-4431
• Main Wyoming Contact: Jeff Coyle: 307-233-6787 
• Contact for Physicals: Ana Posadaflores: 720-544-2843

Safety is at the core of our work. CPR, First Aid, and a physical examination are prerequisites for attending WWSS. These courses are not just about compliance; they are about ensuring the safety and well-being of our surveyors as they carry out their vital work. For further assistance please contact Ana Posadaflores, ana.posadaflores@usda.gov