Areawide snowpacks are starting to improve from late December. Currently, snowpacks vary almost weekly depending upon precipitation events.

As of Feb. 1, high elevation snowpacks are gaining snow water equivalents (SWE). Lower elevation snowpacks were very moisture laden due to warmer than average temperatures and melting was occurring, which was somewhat pleasant, except for the ice.

Every year is different. This year sometimes appears to be drier than normal, but then moisture events occur, which change everything. It is hard to predict where we will land in the next couple of months. Current snowpack conditions are not great but, overall, not too bad.

The Upper Bear River Basin’s snowpacks’ SWE, as a whole, for Feb. 3, was 93% of median. This is lower than last year’s median of 101%.

The snowpacks’ SWE in the Cokeville area this year ranged from a high at the Salt River Summitt Snotel Site at 105% of median, to a low at Big Park Manual Snow Course of 89% of median. The head of the Bear River snowpacks’ SWE ranged from a high at the Trail Lake Snotel Site at 91% of median, to a low at the Monte Cristo Snotel Site at 85% of median.

As of Jan. 1, the most probable water flow prediction for the Bear River near Woodruff, Utah, was 109% of median. The Smiths Fork River near Boarder most probable water flow prediction was 93% of median. The Woodruff Narrows Reservoir, as of Jan. 1, was 51% of capacity. 

The Lower Green River Basin’s snowpacks’ SWE, as a whole, for Feb. 3, was 103% of median. Last year’s overall snowpack was 96% of median. Snowpacks’ SWE in the Upper Hams Fork River Drainage Basins ranged from a high at the Hams Fork Snotel Site at 100% of median, to a low at the Kelly Ranger Station at 98% of median.

As of Jan. 1, the Hams Fork River below Viva Naughton Reservoir most probable water flow was predicted to flow 85% of median. As of Jan. 1, Viva Naughton Reservoir was 74% of capacity.

As of Feb. 3, the Snake River Basin’s snowpacks’ SWE, as a whole, was 95% of median, substantially better than last year’s median of 75%. The Salt River Drainage Basin’s snowpacks’ SWE ranged from a high at the Willow Creek Snotel Site at 109% of median to a low at the CCC Camp Manual Snow Course at 96% of median.

The Greys River Drainage Basin’s snowpacks’ SWE ranged from a high at the Blind Bull Summitt Snotel Site at 101% of median, to a low at the Spring Creek Divide Snotel Site at 97% of median.

Most probable, water flow prediction for the Greys River, as of Jan. 1, was 98%of median.

The Salt River near Etna most probable water flow prediction was 87% of median. Jackson Lake, as of Jan. 1, was 77% of capacity. 

This year’s snowpacks are varied but near or slightly above median. Snowpack densities have been low, very powdery the first of the snow season. Recent snowfall has resulted in heavier snowpack densities on top of the lighter snowpack densities. This creates serious avalanche concerns in the back country. Take care cross country skiing and snowmobiling, always have proper safety equipment.

Individuals wanting more snowpack/water forecast information may contact the Lincoln Conservation District (LCD) Field Office at 307-279-3256 or the Wyoming State Engineer’s Office in Cokeville at 307-279-3441.