Beaverhead Water Users Meeting Current Conditions and Snow Survey - PowerPoint PPT Presentation

Beaverhead Water Users Meeting Current Conditions and Snow Survey Update January 25 th , 2016 Lucas Zukiewicz Water Supply Specialist USDA NRCS Montana Snow Surveys Lucas.Zukiewicz@mt.usda.gov Photo: Slagamelt Lake (406) 587-6843 in the Beaverhead http://www.nrcs.usda.gov/wps/portal/nrcs/main/mt/snow/ Range. Photo: Lucas Z.

Current Conditions

Conditions Ending Water Year 2015

Water Year Precipitation as of Jan 1 st , 2016 • Valleys are well above average for the period • Mountain SNOTEL sites are average to above average.

Reservoir Storage as of Jan 1 st , 2016 • Lima – 73% Average • Clark Canyon – 72 % Average

Current Snowpack Conditions Snowpack is near or above normal across the basin SNOTEL sites Headwaters of Beaverhead River are 95-120% Snowpack only slightly below normal near Red Rocks

Water Year-To-Date Precipitation October 1 st , 2015 - Present Precipitation is near or above average at mountain SNOTEL sites across the basin SNOTEL sites Headwaters of Beaverhead River are 94 -105%

Streamflow Forecasts Streamflow forecasts are presented as a range of outcomes. 90% Exceedance (Chance) -likely to occur if dry 70% Exceedance (Chance -probable to occur if dry 50% Exceedance (Chance) -equal chances of occurring 30% Exceedance (Chance) -probable to occur if wet 10% Exceedance (Chance) -possible to occur if wet

Streamflow Forecasts Streamflow forecasts are presented as a range of outcomes. Lima Inflow April-September: 90% - 48% Average Flow 70% - 75% Average Flow 50% - 94% Average Flow 30% - 113% Average Flow 10% - 140% Average Flow In general, as we approach peak accumulation the range of values decreases in basins where snowmelt is the dominant driver of river flows.

Accessing the Information

Montana Snow Survey Homepage Google – Montana Snow Survey http://www.nrcs.usda.gov/wps/portal/nrcs/main/mt/snow/

NEW! Water Supply Outlook Report Our staff has rebuilt the report which now includes more graphical information on current conditions Issued Monthly from Jan 1 st – June 1 st . Summarizes: • Snowpack • Precipitation • Reservoir Storage • Streamflow Forecasts Includes: • State-wide Maps • Basin Specific Maps • Basin Data Tables • Basin Trend Graphs

Interactive Map

New Installations (?)

Proposed Snowcourse Conversions Snowcourse conversions requested to the USFS Beaverhead-Deerlodge -Notch Snowcourse (Beaverhead) -Dad Creek Lake SC (Beaverhead) -Abundance Lake SC (Big Hole) -Foolhen SC (Big Hole) -Slagamelt Lake SC (Big Hole)

Beaverhead Water Users Meeting Current Conditions and Snow Survey Update January 25 th , 2016 Lucas Zukiewicz Water Supply Specialist USDA NRCS Montana Snow Surveys Lucas.Zukiewicz@mt.usda.gov (406) 587-6843 http://www.nrcs.usda.gov/wps/portal/nrcs/main/mt/snow/