Provided by Lincoln Conservation District
Area wide snowpacks are starting to improve from late December. Currently, snowpacks vary almost weekly depending upon precipitation events. As of the 1st of February, high elevation snowpacks are gaining snow water equivalents (SWE). Lower elevation snowpacks were very moisture laden due to warmer than average temperatures and melting was occurring, which was somewhat pleasant, except for the ice. Every year is different. This year sometimes appears to be drier than normal but then moisture events occur which changes everything. It is hard to predict where we will land in the next couple of months. Current snowpack conditions are not great but overall, not too bad.
As of February 3rd, this year, the Snake River Basin’s snowpacks’ SWE, as a whole, was 95 percent of median, substantially better than last year’s median of 75 percent. The Salt River Drainage Basin’s snowpacks’ SWE ranged from a high at the Willow Creek Snotel Site at 109 percent of median to a low at the CCC Camp Manual Snow Course at 96 percent of median. The Greys River Drainage Basin’s snowpacks’ SWE ranged from a high at the Blind Bull Summitt Snotel Site at 101 percent of median to a low at the Spring Creek Divide Snotel Site at 97 percent of median.
Most probable, water flow prediction for the Greys River, as of January 1st, was 98 percent of median. The Salt River near Etna most probable water flow prediction was 87 percent of median. Jackson Lake as of January 1st was 77 percent of capacity.
The Upper Bear River Basin’s snowpacks’ SWE, as a whole, for February 3rd, this year was 93 percent of median. This is lower than last year’s median of 101 percent The snowpacks’ SWE in the Cokeville, WY area this year ranged from a high at the Salt River Summitt Snotel Site at 105 percent of median to a low at Big Park Manual Snow Course of 89 percent of median. The head of the Bear River snowpacks’ SWE ranged from a high at the Trail Lake Snotel Site at 91 percent of median to a low at the Monte Cristo Snotel Site at 85 percent of median.
As of January 1st, the most probable water flow prediction for the Bear River near Woodruff, Utah, was 109 percent of median. The Smiths Fork River near Boarder WY, most probable water flow prediction was 93 percent of median. The Woodruff Narrows Reservoir as of January 1st, was 51 percent of capacity.
The Lower Green River Basin’s snowpacks’ SWE, as a whole, for February 3rd, was 103 percent of median. Last year’s overall snowpack was 96 percent of median. Snowpacks’ SWE in the Upper Hams Fork River Drainage Basins ranged from a high at the Hams Fork Snotel Site at 100 percent of median to a low at the Kelly Ranger Station at 98 percent of median.
As of January 1st, the Hams Fork River below Viva Naughton Reservoir most probable water flow was predicted to flow 85 percent of median. As of January 1st, Viva Naughton Reservoir was 74 percent of capacity.
This year’s snowpacks are varied but near or slightly above median. Snowpack densities have been low, very powdery the first of the snow season. Recent snowfall has resulted in heavier snowpack densities on top of the lighter snowpack densities. This creates serious avalanche concerns in the back country. Take care cross country skiing and snowmobiling, always have proper safety equipment.
Individuals wanting more snowpack/water forecast information may contact the Lincoln Conservation District (LCD) Field Office at (307) 279-3256 or the Wyoming State Engineer’s Office in Cokeville at (307) 279-3441. A tabulation worksheet of daily statewide Snotel site measurements may be taken off the internet at www.wrds.uwyo.edu/wrds/nrcs/
