02/12/08 Snowpack good news for irrigators

Washington Ag February 12, 2008 Just since the first of February Washington's snow pack has increased from 129 percent of normal to 139 percent. Scott Pattee, water supply specialist with USDA's Natural Resources Conservation Service says there is extensive low elevation snow pack this year, below 45-hundred feet, which is really what is kicking the total over average. Lower elevation snow packs are depleted much more quickly than their counterparts in the higher elevations, but Pattee says stream flows should be adequate for irrigators. Pattee: "Even if we did lose the lower elevation stuff rapidly we don't lose the upper stuff. It sticks around. It is cold enough. It is deep enough. It is well enough insulated that we usually don't lose that upper level snow. And so as far as irrigation water supply during the summer I don't see where there should be any big effects, no." The major concern is flooding if that low elevation snow pack were to quickly melt and Pattee says local officials are monitoring the situation closely. Pattee: "Most local emergency management officials are on the stick this time of year anyway. They are watching conditions. They have consulted us." Pattee says basins where the snow pack is below average are the Okanogan, Methow and Kettle. I'm Bob Hoff.