RBC — The second snow survey of winter on the Upper White River Watershed was completed on Feb. 26. The White River snow pack water equivalent (snow moisture) is presently 7 percent above last year at this time. Basin wide, the White River snow pack is 8 percent above the 30-year average snow moisture for this point of the winter. With the warmer temperatures and rain the area has been experiencing, the snow pack has firmed up and is denser for this time of the winter.
Steve Myers of the Natural Resources Conservation Service and volunteer Alvin Jones conducted the snow survey this past week.
Following are measurements taken at the various snow survey sites on Feb. 26, along with the percentage of the 2008 measurement and the percentage of the 30-year average:
Rio Blanco Ranch (established 1936)
Snow Water Content — 11.9 inches 115% 104%
Snow Depth — 43 inches
Burro Mountain (established 1936)
Snow Water Content — 15.2 inches 101% 104%
Snow Depth — 50 inches
Trapper Lake (established 1986)
Snow Water Content — 16.7 inches 108% 98%
Snow Depth — 54 inches
Ripple Creek Pass (established 1987)
Snow Water Content — 24.0 inches 113% 115%
Snow Depth — 74 inches
White River Basin Wide 107% 108%
