United States Department of Agriculture
Natural Resources Conservation Service		 Montana Go to Accessibility Information
Skip to Page Content




Montana Snowfall near Average, up from Last Year

January 8, 2008

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

Bozeman--“The snowfall season so far has been quite variable," said Roy Kaiser, Natural Resources Conservation Service (NRCS) water supply specialist. "Statewide mountain snowpack is near average and up from last year.”

The NRCS provides mountain snowpack data and streamflow forecasts by evaluating data gathered at automated and manual sites located throughout the foothills and mountains of the western United States.

“The snow water content recorded on Jan. 1, 2008 represents about 40 to 45 percent of the seasonal snowfall,” said Kaiser. “With more than half of the snowfall season remaining and slightly above average precipitation, Montana could see a positive snowpack for the season.”

Mountain precipitation for December west of the Continental Divide was 123 percent of average and east of the Continental Divide was 109 percent of average. According to Kaiser, the variable storms tracking mostly west of the Continental Divide and across mountains in the southern portions of southwest and south central Montana have helped to improve precipitation levels.

Mountain snow water content statewide was 91 percent of average and 111 percent of last year. West of the Continental Divide, mountain snow water content was 90 percent of average and 106 percent of last year. East of the Continental Divide, mountain snow water content was 90 percent of average and 114 percent of last year.

Snow Water Content
River Basin Percent of Average Percent of Last Year
Columbia 90 106
--Kootenai 94 101
--Flathead 83 104
--Upper Clark Fork 83 103
--Bitterroot 111 132
--Lower Clark Fork 107 112
Missouri 88 108
--Missouri Headwaters 96 121
----Jefferson 93 115
----Madison 102 130
----Gallatin 98 135
--Missouri Mainstem 70 83
----Headwaters Mainstem 69 78
----Smith-Judith-Musselshell 74 96
----Sun-Teton-Marias 80 89
----Milk (Bearpaw Mountains) 18 19
St. Mary 79 100
St. Mary & Milk 66 81
Yellowstone 94 124
--Upper Yellowstone 98 127
--Lower Yellowstone 89 121
Statewide 91 111

For the period April 1 through July 31, streamflows across Montana are forecast to average between 67 and 81 percent. West of the Continental Divide, streamflows are forecast to average between 75 and 87 percent and east of the Continental Divide, streamflows are forecast to average between 62 and 78 percent.

Below are the River Basin streamflow forecasts for April 1 through July 31. These forecasts assume near normal moisture and runoff conditions from January through July and do not account for well below average (70% or less) or above average (110% or more) snowmelt or spring rain.

Streamflow Forecasts
River Basin April-July This Year Percent of Average April-July Last Year Percent of Average
Columbia 75 to 87 82 to 96
--Kootenai 80 to 90 91 to 105
--Flathead 73 to 82 85 to 95
--Upper Clark Fork 73 to 89 76 to 93
--Bitterroot 83 to 98 82 to 96
--Lower Clark Fork 89 to 95 83 to 97
Missouri 57 to 74 61 to 84
--Jefferson 56 to 78 54 to 76
--Madison 86 to 95 78 to 88
--Gallatin 88 to 99 78 to 90
--Missouri Mainstem 69 to 83 77 to 88
--Smith-Judith-Musselshell 36 to 51 41 to 67
--Sun-Teton-Marias 53 to 67 70 to 95
--Milk 47 to 72 46 to 98
St. Mary 70 to 79 88 to 96
Yellowstone 74 to 87 67 to 80
--Upper Yellowstone 79 to 90 75 to 88
--Lower Yellowstone 66 to 82 55 to 68
Statewide 67 to 81 70 to 87


NOTE: The April-July Last Year Percent of Average column above is what was forecast last year, not what actually occurred.

For more detailed snow water content, streamflow forecast, and climate data for Montana, visit the NRCS snow survey program website.

--end--

"The U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) prohibits discrimination in all its programs and activities on the basis of race, color, national origin, age, disability, and where applicable, sex, marital status, familial status, parental status, religion, sexual orientation, genetic information, political beliefs, reprisal, or because all or a part of an individual's income is derived from any public assistance program. (Not all prohibited bases apply to all programs.) Persons with disabilities who require alternative means for communication of program information (Braille, large print, audiotape, etc.) should contact USDA's TARGET Center at (202) 720-2600 (voice and TDD). To file a complaint of discrimination write to USDA, Director, Office of Civil Rights, 1400 Independence Avenue, S.W., Washington, D.C. 20250-9410 or call (800) 795-3272 (voice) or (202) 720-6382 (TDD). USDA is an equal opportunity provider and employer."