Page 12 - Flathead Beacon // 4.13.16
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NEWS
Snowpack Levels Remain Near Average in Northwest Montana The snow water equivalent levels in the Flathead River Basin are at 96 percent of normal
BY BEACON STAFF
Snow at the higher elevations and rain in the valleys yielded near- to above-average precipitation during March in all but one of Montana river basins, accord- ing to data from the USDA’s Natural Resources Conser- vation Service.
The snow water equivalent levels in the Flathead River Basin are at 96 percent of normal, according to USDA data. The measurements show 132 percent more than this time last year.
In the Kootenai, snow water equivalent levels are at 94 percent of normal and 192 percent more than last year.
In the Rocky Mountain Front, this year’s lack of snowfall has resulted in well below average snowpack in the Sun-Teton-Marias River basin, which is 65 per- cent of normal for April 1.
“As snowpack gradually melts, it provides water over a long period of time, and can be considered the larg- est reservoir in the state,” said Lucas Zukiewicz, NRCS water supply specialist.
Basins west of the Continental Divide received 124 percent of average precipitation during March, and river basins east of the Divide received 121 percent above average precipitation.
Snow-capped peaks in Glacier National Park. BEACON FILE PHOTO
“Snowpack in the state typically peaks sometime during the coming month,” Zukiewicz said. “April 1, measurements are a good indicator of water available this coming runo  season.”
Basins like the Sun-Teton-Marias, which are below normal in snowpack for this date, will need to see a major change in the weather patterns in order to add to this reservoir before spring melt and runo .
April-June are critical across the state, and in some basins, the bulk of precipitation is received during this time period. Basins that are in good standing snow- pack-wise can see further increases during this time, and basins that are below normal can make some
recovery. As of April 1, all of Montana’s major river basins have exceeded the amount of snow water at peak accumulation during this time last year.
“The snowpack in most of our basins is looking good, but last year was a great illustration of how important spring is to our reservoir system and rivers,” Zukiewicz said.
At this time last year, snowpack appeared to be in good shape before spring, but below average precipita- tion from March to June resulted in below average  ows in our rivers last summer and fall. Given current condi- tions and assuming normal precipitation and tempera- tures over the next three months, this year looks to be di erent.
Long duration stream ow forecasts have improved from last month across the state and are near to slightly above average for the April-July time period. Most riv- ers look to see near normal river  ows this spring. How- ever, some water users should be prepared for below average stream ows unless conditions change in the Sun-Teton-Marias and Tongue River basins.
“May 1, measurements and forecasts should give water users a good idea of the peak snowpack this year, and hopefully will show some recovery in those basins that are below normal,” Zukiewicz said.
news@ atheadbeacon.com
repair slumps and numerous potholes along the Many Glacier road. The Two Medicine road, campground and other park facilities have been plowed, but the road remains closed to vehicles to allow patches of ice and snow to melt out.
The section of the road between Lake McDonald Lodge and Rising Sun is closed due to plowing. On the west side, hiker/biker access is available to Red Rock.
On the east side hiker biker access is allowed at this time. Caution is advised past Jackson Glacier Overlook due to avalanche danger.
For more information on the plowing progress, visit http://home.nps.gov/applications/glac/gttsroadplow/
Sun Road Plows Inch Closer to Logan Pass Glacier National Park crews pass The Loop as they clear path toward summer
BY BEACON STAFF
Plow crews are making rapid progress clearing the iconic 52-mile route through Glacier National Park, hav- ing already passed The Loop – the hairpin turn below Logan Pass and the Continental Divide – less than two weeks after embarking on the annual task.
On April 11, west side plow crews on the Sun Road were working just past The Loop at an area known as The Griz- zly, a feature still well below the Logan Pass Visitor Cen- ter, but an indicator of the crews’ quick work this spring.
Park crews began hewing through the wall of winter white on April 1, clearing the Camas Road before turning their attention to the park’s serpentine thoroughfare.
Clearing the narrow two-lane road is a challenging
task that usually takes 10 weeks depending on weather conditions and snowpack levels. The mountain highway is considered one of the most di cult roads in America to plow. In years past, crews have been hampered by ava- lanches and signi cant obstacles, such as the Big Drift, a one-mile section of Sun Road near Logan Pass where typically over 100 feet of snow accumulates in winter.
The current snow water equivalent levels in the Flat- head Basin are at 96 percent of average.
The west side crew plowing just below the Grizzly area is encountering snow depths of around 10 feet in avalanche areas. The Avalanche area has been plowed, but there are small ice patches along the road from Ava- lanche to the Loop.
The Hudson Bay Road Crew is currently working to
gttsroadplowstatus.cfm
tscott@ atheadbeacon.com
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