For the 2023 season to date the winter snow water equivalents on the Granite Peak and Buckskin NRCS Snowtel Sites are both showing as over 250-300% of normal (average) precipitation for the water year to date.
For the 2023 season to date the winter snow water equivalents on the Granite Peak and Buckskin NRCS Snowtel Sites are both showing as over 250-300% of normal (average) precipitation for the water year to date.
The average snow water equivalents are based on the snow water equivalent data from 1991-2021. In early April the USFS Winter Rangers made a visit to the Santa Rosa District.
The Winter Rangers support winter recreation on the Forest (such as backcountry snowmobiling/sking/etc).
The rangers were unable to reach the top of Hinkey Summit due to the snow levels. Where they stopped, they estimated that the snow levels were approximately 6 feet deep.
Current snow levels for the 2023 season have exceeded the 2017 levels, when Rienhart Road in Winnemucca was flooded and impassable for several weeks.
Due to the amount of snow on the Santa Rosa Range the Santa Rosa Ranger District Staff would like to urge people to be cautious and pay attention to rapidly changing conditions that can occur with excess snow.
This time of year, creek crossings that are passable in the early morning hours may not be passable later in the day due to the warming temperatures and the increased snowmelt that occurs as a result.
Conditions can change very rapidly; a small stream can turn into an impassable rapidly flowing channel in a very short amount of time. When there is excess snow the snowmelt can easily exceed the capacity of the normal channels and water can flow down normally dry drainages, trails, and roads making them an impassable soggy muddy mess.
We have already seen early spring lightning and thunderstorms occurring; a cloudburst that occurs over a mountain covered by feet of snow can create a deadly flash flood situation when the warm rains hit the snow and cause rapid melting.
So, remember to pay attention to your surroundings and watch the weather while you are out and about. Should you find yourself in a situation where water is cutting off your access or access is impassable, find high ground and call for help.