Integration of satellite sensor data with DEM for the study of snow cover distribution and depletion pattern

Geographical Information Systems (GIS) and remote sensing are important for snow cover studies. A small glacial basin, viz., Dokriani Bamak in the Garhwal Himalayas, has been selected for this study. A digital elevation model (DEM) of the terrain was prepared from the topographic map. Repetitive satellite sensor coverages for the hydrological year 1994-1995 from IRS-1B LISS-II sensor have been processed, enhanced, co-registered over the DEM. The shadow effect has been rectified using the DEM. Snow cover areas from various repetitive satellite overpasses have been computed. The DEM has been used to classify the basin according to topographic facets as defined by slope and aspect. Snow cover depletion curves have been plotted landform facetwise, and the bearing of landform factor on snow cover area and its depletion has been analysed.