By KENDALL SMITH
Special to the Herald Times
RBC | Your local NRCS offices (Steamboat Springs, Craig, and Meeker) work hard to collect data from four different snow courses that effect the Yampa/White River drainage area. These include Butterhill (north of Columbine, Yampa View, 3/4 of the way up Rabbit Ears), Columbine Lodge (East Rabbit Ears Pass), and Rio Blanco (four miles before Trappers Lake). At the end of January the overall percentage compared to normal (average) for Snow Water Equivalent (SWE) on all snow courses and SNOTEL sites was approximately 65 percent.
However, things have improved for the month February. Listed below is the detailed information for the snow courses and SNOTEL sites:
Butterhill – depth 34”, 9.3” SWE and 80 percent of average
Tower – depth 85”, 27.1” SWE and 77 percent of average
Columbine Lodge – depth 50”, 15.3” SWE and 80 percent of average
Yampa View – depth 34”, 9.6” SWE and a 72 percent of average
Ripple Creek – depth 64”, 17.4” SWE and 84 percent of average
Rio Blanco – depth 32”, 8.2” SWE and 67 percent of average
As of March 6, the SWE is now at an 80 percent average for the Yampa/White River Basin. For more information please call the Craig NRCS field office at 970-329-3156 or stop by the office located at 145 Commerce St., Craig, CO 81625. To locate up to date information on current snowpack depth, SWE, and water supply outlook please refer to the NRCS Colorado Snow Survey Program online.
