J. Cecil Alter Snow Survey Correspondence and Articles
Scope and Contents
The J. Cecil Alter Snow Survey Correspondence and Articles contains correspondence to J. Cecil Alter from James E. Church, J. L. Ford, and H. L. Stoner in 1926 regarding his article on rate of snow melting and data regarding snow melt in the early summer. Three articles written by Alter, "Snow Condition and Rate of Melting," "Salt Lake City Precipitation in Relation to Stream Discharge from the Adjacent Mountains," and "Mountain Snow Condition and Rate of Melting," are also included.
Dates
- 1926
Creator
- Alter, J. Cecil, 1879-1964 (Creator, Person)
Conditions Governing Access
Collection is open for research. Materials must be used on-site; advance notice suggested. Access to parts of this collection may be restricted under provisions of state or federal law.
Biographical Note
J. Cecil Alter was a meteorologist with the U. S. Weather Bureau based out of Salt Lake City, Utah in the early 1900s. Alter is best known for his work in developing the Alter Shield, which is a precipitation gauge wind shield still in use today with modern rain gauges. Alter's various papers on the rate of snow melt were, at the time, heralded as the best parameter for use in water supply forecasting. However, as time went on, it was discovered that the snow survey method developed by James E. Church on Mt. Rose, Nevada for forecasting the seasonal water supply was more accurate.
Extent
0.21 Linear Feet (2 folders)
Language of Materials
English
Abstract
J. Cecil Alter was a meteorologist with the U. S. Weather Bureau based out of Salt Lake City, Utah in the early 1900s. Collection contains three sets of correspondence to Alter from James E. Church, J. L. Ford, and H. L. Stoner in 1926 regarding his article on rate of snow melting, data regarding snow melt in the early summer, and copies of three articles on the rate of snow melt.
Arrangement
Arranged without hierarchy.
Immediate Source of Acquisition
Donated by Randall Julander via Jeff Anderson in December 2017.
Separated Materials
General reports and publication regarding weather and water supplies transferred to the Special Collections book stacks.
Creator
- Alter, J. Cecil, 1879-1964 (Creator, Person)
- Church, James Edward, Jr., 1869-1959 (Person)
- Title
- Guide to J. Cecil Alter's Snow Survey Correspondence and Articles
- Status
- Completed
- Author
- Jessica Maddox
- Date
- December 2017
- Description rules
- Describing Archives: A Content Standard
- Language of description
- English
- Script of description
- Latin
Repository Details
Part of the University of Nevada, Reno. Special Collections Department Repository
Mathewson-IGT Knowledge Center
1664 N. Virginia St.
Reno Nevada 89557-0322 USA
775-682-5665
775-682-5724 (Fax)
specoll@unr.edu