The first area snow survey measurements of 2010 indicate that the depth and water content of this winter’s snowpack are well above historical averages.
Surveys were completed in early February by US Forest Service personnel on the Shasta McCloud Management Unit of the Shasta Trinity National Forest and Salmon River and Scott River Ranger Districts of the Klamath National Forest.
The snow depth at the Gray Rock Lakes (6,200 foot elevation) site on the Shasta-Trinity was 134.2 inches. The historical average there is 80.4 inches. At the same time last year it was 22.6.
Water content at Gray Rocks Lakes was measured at 45.2 inches. The historical average is 29.2. Last year it was 7.8.
Similar results relative to historical averages were found at three other Shasta-Trinity sites, Sandflat (6,700 feet), Sweetwater (5,850 feet) and Parks Creek (6,700 feet).
The average of all four courses sampled on the Shasta-Trinity showed snow depths at 143 percent of historical averages and water content at 131 percent of historical averages.
“The data reflects the abundance of precipitation that fell during the intense storms that hit the Mt. Shasta area in mid-January,” reported wilderness ranger Eric White.
Surveys were not taken at Horsecamp and Deadfall Lakes because of access issues.
According to the current measurements for the snow courses taken in the southern portion of Scott Valley, the snowpack has an above average depth of 146% and a water content of 128%, as compared to the historical averages for Feb. 1.
The snow course data, according to a KNF press release, shows the majority of the January storms accumulating snow in the southern portion of the Scott River watershed. The Swampy John course near Etna was the only measurement that showed below average numbers in depth and water content as compared to the historical averages.
The snow depth and water content are measured by probing the snow with specially designed aluminum tubes, according to the KNF. “The depth is measured and the water equivalent is calculated by weighing the core of snow in the tubes. This information is forwarded to the State of California, where the data is compiled with other snow depth reports and becomes part of the California Cooperative Snow Surveys program, managed by the California Department of Water Resources. The information is used to help the state forecast the amount of water available for agricultural uses, power generation, and stream flow releases later in the year.”
For more information, go to the California Department of Water Resources Website:
cdec.water.ca.gov/snow
February snow course measurements from throughout the state are posted at:
cdec.water.ca.gov/cgi-progs/snowsurvey_sno/COURSES
Siskiyou County, Calif. —
