March Conditions a Key in Determining Summer Water Supply

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
Contact information:
Jon Lea, USDA NRCS Snow Survey Team Leader: (503) 414-3267, Jon.Lea@or.usda.gov

PORTLAND, OR, March 11, 2008 – With substantial snowpacks in the mountains, this month’s weather conditions will be the next clue to just how much water will run in Oregon rivers and reservoirs the rest of the year. According to water supply specialists with the Natural Resources Conservation Service (NRCS), today’s snowpacks point to healthy streamflows this summer.

The March 1 Water Supply Outlook Report released by NRCS shows current statewide streamflow forecasts for April to September at mostly near or above 100 percent of average, thanks to the amount of water stored in the mountain snow.

“As of March 1, snowpacks are 109 to 178 percent of average across the state, and lower elevation snowpacks are well above average for this time of year,” said NRCS snow survey team leader Jon Lea.

Lea explained that the generous helping of late January and early February snowfall in Oregon led to record high snowpacks at 15 monitoring sites on March 1. Earlier in February, a total of 23 sites had set records for snowpack. Snow was also abundant at many lower elevation sites where it is often lacking or transient. In addition, statewide precipitation has been near normal in all basins. Because of these factors, current forecasts for summer water supplies are near to above average for most points in the state, and Oregon water users can expect average surface water supplies this coming season.

Lea noted that while the water supply forecasts look promising, it is important to remember that additional considerations could have an impact. Streamflows will be dependent upon many things, such as spring and fall precipitation, soil moisture, groundwater and spring levels, geology, spring air temperatures, and other factors.

The Water Supply Outlook Report for March is currently available online and includes locally specific data on snowpack, precipitation and reservoir storage. According to the report, February precipitation ranged from only 67 percent of average in the Rogue and Umpqua basins to 103 percent of average in the Owhyee and Malheur basin. Precipitation for the water year is near average across the state.

The projections indicate that summer streamflow forecasts range from 74 percent of average for Silver Creek near Silver Lake to 142 percent for the South Umpqua near Brockway.

The following is the current summary of expected streamflows for the coming spring and summer months. These forecasts will be revised with current data on a monthly basis and posted on the NRCS Web site.

The full Water Supply Outlook Report, along with additional data on snowpack, precipitation, reservoir storage and projected streamflow, is available on the NRCS Snow Web site at: http://www.or.nrcs.usda.gov/snow/

NRCS provides voluntary technical and financial assistance to people interested in protecting and enhancing soil, water, and related natural resources on non-federal lands. NRCS staffs work in every county in the state and directly assist farmers, ranchers, and others. NRCS, an agency of the U.S. Department of Agriculture, is an equal opportunity provider and employer. Local contact information is located in the telephone book under the federal government listing or can be found online at: www.or.nrcs.usda.gov.
 

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