Willows, March 18, 2010 - Snow pack measurements taken at Anthony Peak on the Mendocino National Forest at the end of February show that precipitation this winter is slightly above average.
The average snow pack measured at the end of the month was 70.4 inches, with water content measuring 25.7 inches. These measurements are 113 percent of average snow pack and 105 percent of average water content.
The historic average for this time of year is 61.8 inches of snow pack and 24.7 inches of water content.
"We started this season with a bang at 121 percent of average for water content, but are approaching average this month. There are still several decent storms predicted this season and the hope is that snow pack will be at least average this year, if not better," said Forest Hydrologist Robin Mowery.
For reference, 1991 was the record low with 4.1 inches of snow pack. The record high was in 1969 with 148.8 inches of snow pack.
Mendocino National Forest employees Jordan Saylor and Kevin Case took the snow measurements this month.
Snow pack and water content monitoring is an important tool in determining the coming year's water supply. The data is used by hydrologists, hydroelectric power companies, the recreation industry and other organizations. More than 50 agencies and utilities, in coordination with the California Department of Water Resources, visit hundreds of snow measurement courses in California's mountains as part of the Cooperative Snow Surveys Program. For more information on California snow surveys, please visit http://cdec.water.ca.gov/snow.
Originally established in 1944, the Anthony Peak snow course provides data for precipitation draining into the Grindstone watershed into Stony Creek and the Black Butte Reservoir, ending in the Sacramento River.
Runoff from the Mendocino National Forest is critical in providing surface water and ground water for the surrounding communities.
Snow reports are issued monthly by the Mendocino National Forest to local contacts.
The Moon is Waxing Gibbous (86% of Full)
February Anthony Peak Snow Survey Numbers
All posts are those of the individual authors and the owner
of this site does not endorse them. Content should be considered opinion
and not fact until verified independently.
March 18, 2010 08:02PM |
Sorry, only registered users may post in this forum.
