Eastern Oregon Precipitation Normal, But Most Of It Is Rain; Snowpack 43% Of Average

[hatrack]

While precipitation is close to average across Eastern Oregon, snowpack is way down, and that could spell trouble for farms and fish. Despite near-average precipitation, snowpack is down considerably in the Umatilla Basin, which could dry up water supplies quickly heading into summer.

The amount of water contained within snowpack is just 43 percent of normal for the region, according to the U.S. Department of Agriculture’s Natural Resources Conservation Service.

Snowpack is important because it acts as a natural storage system for water through the spring, said Mike Ladd, region manager for the Oregon Water Resources Department in Pendleton. As temperatures rise, snowmelt trickles down from the mountains replenishing streams and reservoirs for farms and fish.

By this time of year, Ladd said he likes to see the snow water equivalent at about 85 percent of normal if not higher. Snow water equivalent was at 86 percent by this time last year. Unless conditions change unexpectedly in March, farms and ranches will be counting on spring rain to carry them through the season. “Based on what we’re seeing, there’s potential to be a pretty tough year,” Ladd said.

EDIT

http://www.eastoregonian.com/eo/local-news/20150303/low-snowpack-threatens-eastern-oregons-summer

[phantom power]

1. snowpack in the AZ high country has been low for years

Bad, for all the same reasons