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As I'm driving quite a bit for business, I notice that many of our reservoirs are very nearly full. Deer Creek, Jordanelle, Mtn. Dell and Strawberry, to name a few, are all within a few feet of capacity. In a situation like this, why is there so much concern about a snowpack at 70% of normal?
Cory
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Great question and this week when I spoke with the hydrologist for another story I asked him about snowpack. He informed me that the snowpack numbers are low like you are saying, but that it's not a huge issue unless we have consecutive dry years. That would be from Brian McInerney the NWS Salt Lake Hydrologist and all around snow guy. He said it's a low probability that this year we'll get up to 100% but it's not a huge deal unless we start getting many dry years in a row.
Clearly, if this year is dryer than average then people who are managing our water (like the city) will have to make the right calculations and accomodations to use the water wisely.
In the meantime, there will still be enough water to shower with come spring but it's always a good idea not to waste it. You can turn the water off when you brush your teeth it's easy!
The links on the right will take you to the current snowpack information so you can check on the numbers whenever you like.
Answered by KSL Meteorologist Dina Freedman.
