Assessment the role of snow in hydrological cycle of the Borjomula-Gudjareti Tskali rivers basin

During study summarizing exiting meteorological, hydrological and snow data in the studied area, installation of the monitoring network, collection of water samples, snow expeditions and a more detailed sampling during snowmelt. Regular monitoring consists of precipitation, air temperature and humidity measurements at 3 sites, and water level measurements at 2 rivers. Monthly samples for isotopic analyses (stable water isotopes) are collected from 3 raingauges, 2 rivers, 1 borehole and 2 springs since. The network build in the project provided a lot of new data on snow hydrology in the studied area that was not available before. Measurements at different altitudes were useful. Although snowfall represents just about 30% of annual precipitation, snowmelt water is an important source of water for the rivers (maximum contribution about 50%). Snowmelt affects river runoff at least 2-3 months. Yet, stable water isotopes in the snowmelt water significantly differ among the sites and they are different from those in the snow cover.