Snowpack: A Tale Of Two Oregons

The statewide snowpack for Oregon is good shape, for mid-April, but the initial numbers don’t tell the whole story. Scott Oviatt with NRCS said statewide, Oregon is at 100% of average, on par with where it should be for this time of year. However, as you look basin to basin, he notes you’ll see incredible variations, with the NE section of the state faring better than most.

• The Umatilla, Walla Walla, Willow basin is at
  129% of average
• The Grande Ronde, Powder, Burnt basin comes in
  at 122% of average
• The John Day is 110% of average
• The Malheur is 98% of average
• The Owyhee is 93% of average
• The Harney is 96% of average
• The Upper Deschutes, Crooked is 88% of average
• The Hood, Sandy, Lower Deschutes basin is 103%
  of average
• The Lake County, Goose Lake basin is at 81% of
  average
• The Klamath basin is at 79% of average
• The Rouge, Umpua basin is 80% of average
• The Willamette Basin is at 102% of average

Speaking of NE Oregon, Oviatt said as we move into spring, producers with irrigation and storage should be in very good shape.

“Stream flow is still a question, I mean our April 1^st forecast for water supply in terms of in stream flows are above normal, based upon that April 1^st snowpack.  But if it comes out rather rapidly if we maintain these warm temperatures we’re currently seeing, and we don’t have cooler temperatures and some precipitation, that could become a concern.”

Oviatt also noted that Oregon has already passed its tradition peak snowpack of the season, so barring any bazaar storm patterns, not much additional snowpack is expected.

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