News

For immediate release

Above-average snowpack to yield ample summer stream flows, NRCS says

MT. VERNON, Wash. (April 10, 2008) – At the most important benchmark date for predicting summer stream flows in Washington, the snow news is good news – for the second year in a row.

According to Scott Pattee, water supply specialist with USDA’s Natural Resources Conservation Service in Mt. Vernon, cooler-than-normal temperatures, coupled with higher-than-average precipitation in March, helped Washington add to its already robust seasonal snowpack totals.

“Mother Nature has essentially made more deposits to and no withdrawals from Washington’s water bank during the past month,” he said.

“We remained in a deep freeze through the month of March with average temperatures 4-6 degrees below-average. Even more importantly,” he said, “daily maximum temperatures were also 4-6 degrees below-average, so the cold temperatures helped maintain – and even build on – a snowpack that was already above-average in most locations.”

According to Pattee, the Central Puget Sound area set a new record high water content for April 1 at 204 percent of average, exceeding the previous high of 197 percent in 1974. In addition, Pattee said 15 snowpack measurement sites across the state recorded record high readings.

Because of the snowpack and melt-off water cycle, the April 1 report is historically the most accurate snap-shot of Washington’s state-of-the-water-supply, Pattee said. As a result, the impressive snowpack totals will likely translate into ample stream flows throughout the summer in most parts of the state.

Stream flow forecasts vary from 146 percent of average for the Rex River near Cedar Falls to 87 percent of average for the Methow near Pateros.

April-September forecasts for some western Washington streams include the Cedar River near Cedar Falls, 146 percent of average; White River, 126 percent of average; and Skagit River, 105 percent of average.

Some eastern Washington streams include the Yakima River near Parker,117 percent of average; Wenatchee River at Plain, 108 percent; and Spokane River near Post Falls, 120 percent of average.

“After several years of lower-than-average snowpack, the past two years have offered a refreshing change to near- to above-normal, snowpacks,” Pattee said. “It’s certainly a trend those in the water management business could get used to.”

-30

USDA is an equal opportunity employer and service provider.

Helping People Help the Land

< Back to ...News