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MARCH MOUNTAIN SNOWPACK SLIGHTLY ABOVE AVERAGE AND WELL ABOVE LAST YEAR

Apr 3, 2008

For More Information:
Roy Kaiser, 406-587-6991
Robert Moler, 406-587-6842

Meteor burst radio communication tower and instrument shelter at automated SNOTEL site near West Yellowstone, Montana. Feb. 28, 2006.Bozeman -- March mountain precipitation statewide was 88 percent of average and water year precipitation was 102 percent of average. West of the Continental Divide, March mountain precipitation was 94 percent of average. East of the Continental Divide, March mountain precipitation was 83 percent of average. March mountain precipitation in the Lower Yellowstone River Basin faired the best at 121 percent of average.

On April 1, the mountain snowfall season is about 95 percent complete. "The mountains will typically reach seasonal peaks during April," said Roy Kaiser, Natural Resources Conservation Service (NRCS) water supply specialist. "April 1 snowpack statewide was slightly above average and well above last year. However, river basins that have areas of below average snowpack and need close monitoring include the Jefferson, Upper Clark Fork, Judith, Musselshell, and Upper Yellowstone."

As of April 1, mountain snow water content values statewide were 108 percent of average and 155 percent of last year. West of the Continental Divide, snowpack was 113 percent of average and 151 percent of last year. East of the Continental Divide, snowpack was 103 percent of average and 153 percent of last year.

Snowpack

On March 1, seasonal snowpack accumulation statewide should be about 80 percent, with about 85 percent in the Columbia River Basin and about 75 percent in the Missouri River Basin. There are normally about four to six weeks remaining until the seasonal snowpack peak is reached. Statewide mountain snow water content was 107 percent of average and 123 of last year at this time. West of the Continental Divide, snowpack was 109 percent of average and 122 percent of last year. East of the Continental Divide, snowpack was 103 percent of average and 122 percent of last year.

Snow Water Content
River Basin Percent of Average Percent of Last Year March Percent Change
Columbia 113 151 +4
--Kootenai, Montana 122 143 +5
--Kootenai, Canada 94 90 -4
--Flathead, Montana 111 153 +4
--Flathead, Canada 109 145 -10
--Upper Clark Fork 99 139 +6
--Bitterroot 119 168 +4
--Lower Clark Fork 127 159 0
Missouri 102 156 -4
--Missouri Headwaters 105 159 -3
----Jefferson 101 150 -4
----Madison 107 165 -1
----Gallatin 108 161 -1
--Missouri Mainstem 95 126 -2
----Headwaters Mainstem 97 105 +9
----Smith-Judith-Musselshell 92 140 -3
----Sun-Teton-Marias 105 157 -5
----Milk (Bearpaw Mountains) 109 229 +14
St. Mary 109 167 -1
St. Mary & Milk 109 174 -2
Yellowstone 103 151 +4
--Upper Yellowstone 106 167 +3
--Lower Yellowstone 100 137 +6
Statewide 108 155 +1
Streamflow

Statewide, streamflow forecasts average 87 to 99 percent. West of the Continental Divide, streamflow forecasts average 98 and 106 percent and, east of the Continental Divide, between 80 and 95 percent.

Water users and water managers need to pay particular attention to local basins affecting their water supplies, as there are several localized areas where snowpack and streamflow forecasts are below average.

Following are streamflow forecasts for the period April 1 through July 31. These forecasts assume near normal spring conditions and do not account for well below average (70% or less) or well above average (130% or more) snowmelt or spring rain. Specific forecast probabilities are available at ftp://ftp.wcc.nrcs.usda.gov/support/water/provisional_forecasts/montana/mt.txt.

Streamflow Forecasts
River Basin April-July this Year Percent of Average
Columbia 98 to 106
--Kootenai, Montana 101 to 108
--Flathead, Montana 97 to 105
--Upper Clark Fork 88 to 99
--Bitterroot 106 to 112
--Lower Clark Fork 109 to 113
Missouri 75 to 91
--Jefferson 73 to 91
--Madison 100 to 106
--Gallatin 99 to 109
--Missouri Mainstem 87 to 100
--Smith-Judith-Musselshell 45 to 62
--Sun-Teton-Marias 82 to 97
--Milk 59 to 88
St. Mary 95 to 102
Yellowstone 93 to 105
--Upper Yellowstone 94 to 103
--Lower Yellowstone 92 to 107
Statewide 87 to 99

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