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OGDEN, Utah (AP) -- A year ago, Utah's mountains were buried in snow. Many drainages were at 150 percent of normal. Rain had soaked the soil, hopes were raised that the six-year drought was ending.
But now -- four weeks into the new water year -- snowpack averages are down in drought-era levels with little hope of improvement in sight.
The Ogden-Weber drainage was at 79 percent of average this week, and the Bear River drainage was 82 percent of average.
Weather Service hydrologist Brian McInerney says he is always hesitant to declare a drought over after only one year of good water.
He said that too often, the next year can go right back to drought conditions.
He say it's too early to say that is happening in Utah this winter, but he cannot say it won't, either.
(Copyright 2005 by The Associated Press. All Rights Reserved.)
