Measurement of soil water contents and frozen soil depth during a thaw using time‐domain reflectometry

Abstract

The results of a field test of time‐domain reflectometry (TDR) to measure apparent liquid soil water contents and to locate the unfrozen‐frozen interface during thawing conditions is presented. The apparent liquid water content was observed in the fall and through a late winter thaw on two sand sites, one with a natural snow cover and the other with snow removed throughout the winter. Temperatures were monitored at intervals throughout the profile. The results indicate that TDR provides a method for monitoring apparent liquid water content andfreeze‐thaw processes. © Taylor & Francis Group, LLC.