Western Snowpack

Western Snowpack

Rick Worthington
Rick Worthington
Western Snowpack

If you live on a farm or a ranch - you pay attention to things that have anything to do with water.

Water is the lifeblood of the operation, and lack of it can be a big problem.

That's why things like the snowpack are so important, as it gives us a clue to how much water will be available when it gets hot.

Brad Rippey is a USDA meteorologist - and says - the snowpack is looking better after a decent January.

Meanwhile - A new study by Brigham Young University shows that mountain landscapes charred by wildfire dramatically accumulate more snowpack — 85% greater depth — than areas untouched by wildfire.

Led by BYU professor Sam St. Clair and published in Environmental Research Letters, the study was the first of its kind to analyze the effects of burn severity on snowpack accumulation and the amount of water in that snow using direct measurements.

St. Clair said the findings have wide-ranging implications for forecasting water supply, especially since in Utah, mountain watersheds provide 65% of the state’s water resources.

Previous ReportWill the USMCA Help Dairy Farmers?
Next ReportFor those that missed the NCBA trade show