Snow Pack Reduction Pt 2
With today’s Fruit Grower Report, I’m Bob Larson. We are not losing our average snow pack at an alarming rate, but we are losing it very, very gradually.But, according to University of Washington Atmospheric Sciences professor, Cliff Mass, that doesn’t mean less water …
MASS … “One thing the climate models are clear about is precipitation overall is not going to decline in our region. That, you can pretty much hang your hat on. Precipitation overall is going to increase over the century. So, it’s not that we’re going to lack water.”
So, Mass says let’s take water shortage off the table …
MASS … “But, the way the water comes down is going to change a bit. In mid-winter, you know, we’ll have more rain
events and less snow events. That’s what’s going to happen.”
Mass says that means the water will still be there …
MASS … “So, what do you do? You know, people are already talking about this, you know, the whole Yakima project effort. You know, basically, we’re going to have as much water, but we’ll have less snow. So, what we’re going to have to do is store more water because the water is going to be there, we’re just going to have to, when it falls, we’re going to have to build the reservoirs and the dams to hold more of the water and we’re going to have to use water a little bit more efficiently.”
Mass says 2015’s drought was a learning experience …
MASS … “And, actually, with no preparation, agriculture in the state didn’t do so badly, really. I mean,
I think we can adapt to this if we’re smart.”
Listen tomorrow for more on our shifting source of water.