Northern Nevada saw some gains in snowpack and precipitation during February but a cold, stormy March would be necessary to hit average conditions for the water year.
According to a news release from the Natural Resources Conservation Service, eastern Nevada fared better than the Sierras in terms of snow pack but overall precipitation for the state was well above average.
That precipitation was coupled with high temperatures, however, causing snowpack at lower elevations to melt and most precipitation was received as rain, according to hydrologist Beau Uriona.
"The Sierras will need to see large, frequent and cold storms in March in order to hit average conditions," Uriona said. "Not likely, though still possible."
As of the end of February, Rye Patch Reservoir is at 8,500 acre-feet, a far cry from its capacity of 194.3 KAF. Last year at this time the reservoir was at 19 KAF, still short of its average level of 87.1 KAF.
The Lower Humboldt River Basin, as of March 1, is at 43 percent of its median snowpack based on an analysis of six sites. Last year at the same time, it was at 86 percent of its median.
Overall, most of Nevada saw above average precipitation for February. Unfortunately, low snowpack and low reservoir levels means the state is looking forward to a summer with significant water shortages and below-normal snowmelt streamflows.[[In-content Ad]]
