For better estimation of snow water equivalents for dam basins in cold snowy regions, snow depth distribution was investigated in relation to both elevation and aspect of slope using a high-resolution digital elevation model (DEM) created from an airborne laser scanning survey conducted on a certain day in the snowy period and another one in the snow-free period. Based on the results, a snow water equivalent estimation model was developed.The model was used to estimate snow water equivalents in six dams, and resulted in estimates with a higher level of accuracy than those based on snow surveys and existing models.