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MAY SNOW SURVEY REPORT RELEASED

Lack of Snow in Most of Alaska Could Mean Low Water Levels in Some Fisheries

Palmer, May 15, 2007 - Most of Alaska continued to experience record low snow conditions in April, with some areas becoming snow-free three weeks ahead of schedule.

With the exception of Southeast Alaska which saw record high snowfalls, the entire state is at 70 percent of normal snowfall levels; about half of the state is at 50 percent or less.

“What little snow there was melted off in April,” said Rick McClure, hydrologist with the U.S. Department of Agriculture’s Natural Resource Conservation Service and leader of Alaska’s snow survey program.  “Sometimes there will be snow in April that adds some water, but this year the weather patterns didn’t change.”

Unless spring brings more rain, many of Alaska’s unglaciated waterways could experience record low water levels. Waterways that could be affected include the Deshka River, Montana Creek, Little Su, Willow Creek, Deep Creek, Anchor River and the Ninilchik River.

Low snow conditions also increase summer fire risks.

Some statistics from the May Snow Survey Report include:

  • Snowpack measurements, where there was snow to measure, north of the Alaska Range to the Brooks Range and from the Alaska Range west to the Bering Sea were less than 50 percent of normal water content for May 1.   
  • The Coldfoot SNOTEL site was snow-free the 23rd of April; the average date for the snow to be gone is May 15th. 
  • Petersburg Ridge in Southeast Alaska has established a record high with 132 inches of snow (11 feet) and 59.3 inches of water content. 
  • Petersburg Reservoir also set a new record high with 39 inches of snow and 16.3 inches of snow water content.  
  • Long Lake SNOTEL site, located 60 miles southeast of Juneau, is at 221% of last year and 134% of average. This year tops the previous record set in 1975 with 132 inches of snow and 64.0 inches of water content

The complete May Snow Survey Report with detailed information from all areas of the state can be viewed at www.ambcs.org. Visitors to the site can also find hourly updates on air temperature, precipitation, snow depth and wind speed and other climactic conditions.

Snow Survey data is used to forecast river flow volume, breakup flooding potential, avalanche danger, summer forest fire probability, and fresh water availability for municipalities and power generation.  Snow survey information also contributes to an index on the winter severity with respect to wildlife and reindeer calf survival.

The Natural Resources Conservation Service puts nearly 70 years of experience to work in assisting people to conserve, maintain, and improve our natural resources and environment. NRCS works in partnership with local conservation districts serves almost every county in the nation, and the Caribbean and Pacific Basin. Participation in NRCS programs is voluntary.

Note to reporters: This is the final Snow Survey Report of the year. Your contact for this story is Rick McClure, leader of the NRCS Snow Survey program, at 907-271-2424 ext. 113.

 

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