Snowpack brightens outlook in state

John Stucke - Staff writer

Heavy snowfall this year has helped Washington state emerge from last year's drought that harmed salmon runs, stunted crops and sent power prices skyward.

The Natural Resources Conservation Service reported Friday that snowpack readings across the state were 127 percent of average.

"With the precipitation received this winter, the effects of last year's drought have been mitigated in the majority of the state," said Scott Pattee, a water supply specialist with NRCS.

Late March storms dumped more than a foot of snow in the Cascades. They piled more snow in the mountains of Eastern Washington, too, helping the Spokane area record snowpack levels of 121 percent of average.

Temperatures that were 3-6 degrees cooler than normal during the spring have helped keep the snow in the mountains instead of washing it into the valleys.

The steady runoff is expected to mean ample water for river irrigators across the state, who have already planted fields of vegetables and are watching orchards bloom.

To the east, snowpack levels in the Coeur 'd Alene basin are about 133 percent of normal, Avista spokeswoman Catherine Markson said.

More importantly, however, is the snowpack in Montana's Clark Fork River Basin. It stands at about 96 percent of average, a bit lower than Avista would like.

"It's certainly better that last year," Markson said, when low water levels pinched Avista's ability to generate electricity from its Clark Fork dams.

The company's hydroelectric production fell to 62 percent of average. The low power levels forced the company to buy pricey power on the open market that stung the company's financial performance.

While snowpack and cool temperatures have lifted spirits at the Spokane utility, Markson said the company is hopeful for a long, cold spring.

"That's the key now, how quickly the snow comes off," Markson said.

-- Anonymous, April 13, 2002

Answers

Glad to hear that, David. It's still far too dry back east.

-- Anonymous, April 16, 2002

Brooks, you need to move out west to "God's Country". Blessings,David

-- Anonymous, April 16, 2002