Despite February’s storms, Utah water officials say the state’s snowpack still hovers around record-poor conditions.
As of March 5, the snowpack at the highest elevations are close to normal, but conditions drop off quickly with decreasing elevation.
For example, a measurement site near Chalk Creek in Summit County is just above 9,000 feet in elevation. The area has recorded 14.1 inches of snow water equivalent (SWE), which is 75% of the median measurement.
Meanwhile, the Smith and Morehouse measurement site located at about 7,600 feet, has received 5.3 inches of SWE or 45% of median.
Water experts say the contrast is a result of Utah’s record warm winter that pushed rain-snow lines higher and dismal amounts of new snow during December and January.
As of March 1, Utah’s statewide SWE is 61% of median.
The snowpack conditions create challenges for runoff forecasts. Officials say there are no good models for this winter, and remain concerned that runoff may be unusually poor.
Utah receives 95% of the state’s water supply from runoff and the snowpack which gets stored in reservoirs across the state.
Utah’s current reservoir storage is at 66% of capacity, which is down 12% from this time last year.
