The importance of Snow

The importance of Snow

David Sparks Ph.D.
David Sparks Ph.D.
A trip to Moores Creek Summit with Ron Abramovich, a hydrologist with the USDA reveals some good news about this year's snow pack, even though it is only about 75% of normal. "It is cold up here so all of the moisture that has fallen, has fallen as snow and that's why we are measuring about a 25% density which is good so the snow is not melting like we have lost some in past years."

It is early and more snow will come and Abramovich will do four more surveys which will provide critical information, useful to every Idaho citizen. "what we do is measure and monitor the amount of snow in the mountains so when it melts we will have an idea how much water will be available to the farmers. They are making decisions now as to what to plant this coming year based on the reservoir carryover storage and the amount of snow we have in the mountains. If they know they don't get full water rights, then they plant less or fewer acres. So we will come up here and measure the pack until early April so we can give them a full idea of what the water supply looks like. We have a number of people watching this data including bank loan officers, the agricultural community, recreation, winter and summer, and Hydro power companies as well. How much snow falls in the mountains this year determines our power prices come summer.

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