Field measurements of the irreducible water saturation in snow

Measurements of the irreducible water saturation in snow were carried out using Denoth Dielectric Moisture Meter in the field.The result shows that, when the water flow rate ranges from 3×10~(-8)ms~(-1) to 1.39×10~(-7)ms~(-1) at which the capillarity cannot be ignored, the averaged water saturation is 0.05～0.07. When the flaw rate is less than about 10~(-8)ms~(-1), the irreducible water saturation will occur and the averaged value will be 0.02～0.03. In the whole saturation range in which the capillarity takes effect, the water saturation varies significantly in different layers of the snow pack, and the difference increases remarkably as the flow rate decreases.