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HomeMy WebLinkAboutAK Basin Outlook Report 2-1998USDA United States = Department of Agriculture Natural Resources Conservation Service Alaska Basin Outlook Report Fie DiuciinvaealhOD Sinn The Following Organizations Cooperate With wie Natural Resources Conservation Service In Snow Survey Work: Canada Municipalities Department of Indian and Northern Affairs, Yukon Municipality of Anchorage Territory Municipality of Juneau Ministry of the Environment, British Columbia Village of Chuathbaluk Federal Private Department of Agriculture Alaska Electric, Light and Power Forest Service Alaskan Weather Records Chugach National Forest Alyeska Resort, Inc. Institute of Northern Forestry Alyeska Pipeline Service Company Department of Commerce Chugach Electric Association NOAA, National Weather Service Copper Valley Electric Association Climate Monitoring and Diagnostics Laboratory Homer Electric Association Department of Defense Ketchikan Public Utilities U.S. Army Corps of Engineers Mid Yukon-Kuskokwim RC&D U.S. Army Cold Regions Research and Engineers Laboratory Public Schools Department of Interior Matanuska-Susitna Borough School District Bureau of Land Management Fairbanks North Star Borough School District Geological Survey The Lake and Peninsula School District Alaska Power Administration Fish and Wildlife Service National Park Service State Alaska Department of Fish and Game Alaska Department of Transportation and Public Facilities Alaska Department of Natural Resources Division of Parks Division of Mining and Water Division of Forestry Homer SWCD Upper Susitna SWCD University of Alaska Alaska Experiment Station Geophysical Institute Institute of Water Resources Alaska State Climate Center Alaska Energy Authority Alaska Railroad The United States Department of Agriculture (USDA) prohibits discrimination in its programs on the basis of race, color, national origin, sex, religion, age, disability, political beliefs and marital or familial status. (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, write the Secretary of Agriculture, U.S. Department of Agriculture, Washington, D.C., 20250, or call 1-800-245-6340 (voice) or (202) 720- 1127 (TDD). USDA is an equal employment opportunity employer. TABLE OF CONTENTS February 1, 1998 Fiydrologic Basins) Map cess ese retrstocatecetecnscerenecstecstasescescoverauercsurescecceacesudeaaveesuaccrstassucsesessaeerea 4 State General Overview Basin Conditions and Data Central Yukon Basin ... FE Tce tet reer corre Te oO lone ATENIaIE 8 SPREE: WURTIE TEI ee cette scenes pe reser te er eres ieee env ereneeieneen nein annanaeenieniedemnah 10 TALCHCI ANG KOTZEDUC) DASIMrartetcteteretrcesrereceercestectcteccrececen crore rsareverevsscacccosscenesscnnenescceseeets 12 Norton Sound, Southwest and Bristol Bay ...............cccccceeesceeeeeeseeeeeeeeseeeneeeeseeetseeeneeerseeenes 14 OPPO ASIN mecrtrrcteteterearccaterstetacetatecsantranessteseacstacectace suucsunsessansaatsesurtctstscetcsarresscsnansesstset 16 A < SOC ected pntesienpreasimaedaealberepaiaientrsseaedeaestwaniein 18 Cee lfm utente ttm rite hahah needa ead ioe 20 Kenai Peninsula Western Gulf .... For more water supply and resource management Issued by Released by information, contact: Thomas Weber Charles W. Bell Rick McClure Acting Chief State Conservationist Hydrologist Natural Resources Natural Resources Natural Resources Conservation Service Conservation Service Conservation Service Washington, D.C. Anchorage, AK 949 E. 36th Avenue, Suite 400 Anchorage, AK 99508-4362 (907) 271-2424 Official Business Not for Private Use U.S. DEPARTMENT OF AGRICULTURE c 157900" 1. 70°00" HYDROLOGIC BASINS ALASKA Gon, Fiver > | pear y~. 2 \% = \ eee es / KOZ BUE co 'UKON 0 80 100 150 200 250 4 KoTZeBUE Kod. sour LEGEND Basin Boundaries ee Ved XY . NORION St vanncnce MY sounn— sano \y as st waren Neat te souTHWES} ee Powe : a Aspe) gy oY 4% ELT) ° J. BASIN ice KUSK' ST Ys a an nnn ; wie ay ae & — BAY iy wh yo! \Y paaaee BRISTOL yi of _s) ¢ y oe s ne NORTON ye, nacor 8 “stan ‘ts and \E Sean" oe uw sian EA N NUPRLANOF 131AND we Aan Keay we ISLANDS gay v UNAL ASIA G7 ae _ ALEUTIAN aed at sseao' | unniaK ISIAND 14z0U “ue ALEUTIAN nos poe at IANO << . Ow SOURCE: U.S.G.S. HYDROLOGIC UNIT MAP, 1987, AND TIGER/UNE CENSUS FILES, 1990. INFORMATION FROM SCS FIELD PERSONNEL. MAP PREPARED USING AUTOMATED MAP CONSTRUCTION. LATITUDE AND LONGITUDE GEOGRAPHIC COORDINATE SYSTEM O CALCULATED BY THE APPLICATIONS SOFTWARE. NATIONAL CARTOGRAPHY AND GEOGRAPHIC INFORMATION SYSTEMS CENTER, FORT WORTH, TEXAS, 1993. REVISED DECEMBER 1993 1003609 USDA. SCS, NATIONAL CARTOGRAPHY & GIS CENTER, FORT WORTH, TX, 1983 GENERAL OVERVIEW SNOWPACK Snow began accumulating across most of South Central and further north beginning the 3rd week of October. In November, the 9th through the 12th saw many communities from Nome to Anchorage receive rain and loose their snow cover. After this warm spell, snow started to accumulate again and December had a much above normal snowfall month, 25 inches fell in Anchorage. January had some snow fall across the state with only the south side of the Kenai Mountains and the mountains of the Gulf Coast of Alaska receiving a near normal amount. PRECIPITATION The first two weeks of October were dry as compared to normal for most of the state. November precipitation was near normal in Southeast to below normal in the Interior of Alaska. December precipitation was much above normal in Southeast and South Central making up for the dry first two weeks of October. January had below normal precipitation for most of the state. TEMPERATURE The first 10 days of October were mild across Alaska. The temperatures dropped after that and most National Weather Service stations reported below normal temperatures for the month of October. November turned mild again and this continued through December. January temperatures were near normal for most of the state with Gulkana being 8.6 degrees Fahrenheit below, as reported by the National Weather Service observer. The average temperature for the month is 5.7 degrees F below. snowpack* (inches) Water Equivalent (inches) SNOWCOVER: Central Yukon Basin Central Yukon Basin February 1, 1998 Fort Yukon temperature (degrees F) 20 * Based on 16 selected stations 12 National Weather Service Station — =—=Maximum: = = = Average — = Minimum eK Current since 1964 Departure From Normal (degrees F) -16 -20 212 2 _______ ocT NOV DEC JAN FEB MAR APR With few reporting snow survey sites, it is believed the Central Yukon Basin has a 70 to 80 percent of normal snowcover. Most of the snow fell in November and December. The Five Mile snow course is 80 percent of normal for February ‘st. For more information, contact your local Natural Resources Conservation Service office in Fairbanks, 479-2657 Central Yukon Basin Snowpack Data This Year Last Year 1961-90 Average Snow Water Snow Water Snow Water Snow Course Elevation Date Depth Content Depth Content Depth Content December Borealis 1300 12/197 14 26 21 3.0 _ _ Fossil 1400 12/97 42 18 22 3.2 -_ — Mission Creek 900 No Survey 11 2.0 15 25 January Borealis 1300 12/2997 18 _ 3 _ _ _ Fossil 1400 12/2997 17 29 _ _ _ _ Mission Creek 900 No Survey a7 35 15 25 Windy Gap 1900 1/688 18 29 _ _ _ _ Wolf 1300 127098 16 27 _ _ _ _ February Borealis 1300 1/2988 19 3.2 24 3.8 _ a Five Mile 600 =1/2888 20 3.1 23 40 22 40 Fossil 1400 1/2988 18 3.0 24 43 _ _ Hess Creek 1000 1/2888 20 33 23 41 21 3.6 Mission Creek 900 Delayed Data 18 35 17 3.1 Thirty Mile 1350 = 1/288 28 47 32 61 2 66 Windy Gap 1900 1/2988 19 3.0 24 47 _ _ Wolf 1300 1/2988 18 3.0 23 40 _ _ Precipitation Data JANUARY YR TO DATE Preci Station This Year Last Year 61-90 AVG This Year Last Year 61-90 AVG Atigun Pass 07 1.20 1.40 3.00 3.40 6.60 Chandalar Shelf 0.1 1.50 0.80 2.80 4.40 3.90 Fort Yukon os _ 0.43 2.30 - - Mission Creek = 0.50 0.60 4.80 _ 3.20 Tanana Basin February 1, 1998 Tanana Valley snowpack * (inches) *" Based on selected stations —_— Maximum = = = Average — = Minimum eK Corrent since 1960 SNOWCOVER: Departure From Normal (degrees F) Fairbanks temperature (degrees F) National Weather Service Station 20 ——_____ 16 —— 2 12. Qj OCT NOV DEC JAN FEB MAR APR The snowpack varies from 53 percent of normal at Lake Minchumina on the western end of the Tanana to 111 percent of normal at Granite Creek, near Delta Junction. At the eastern end of the Tanana Basin, the snowpack drops off again with Tok being 74 percent of normal. The measurement at Lake Minchumina is a record low with the record beginning in 1980 for the February 1st measurement. For more information, contact your local Natural Resources Conservation Service office in Fairbanks, 479-2657 Snowpack Data Tanana Basin This Year Last Year 1961-90 Average Snow Water Snow Water Snow Water Snow Course Elevation Date Depth Content Depth Content Depth Content December Cleary Summit 2230 =12/288 19 ot 24 42 — _— Colorado Creek 700 = =12/287 14 19 18 24 _ _ Edgar Creek 2400 12/15/97 18 27, — _ _— -— Fairbanks Field Off. 450 1287 13 18 19 25 16 26 Fort Greely 1500 11/2697 16 21 10 0.2 _ —_ French Creek 1800 11/2597 21 40 16 3.2 _ - Gold King 1700 12/1597 16 24 19 28 _ _ Granite Creek 1240 11/2697 0 23 9 1.0 13 2.1 Kantishma 1550 12897 20 40 ni, 3.1 _ — Lake Minchumina 730 No Survey 10 2 _ _ Paradise Hill 2200 11/2697 9 da 10 1.7 _ _ Ptarmigan Airstrip 2400 No Survey 15 2a _ ao Rock Creek Bottom 2250 12/4/97 14 25 19 3.1 _ _ Rock Creek Ridge 2600 12/287 15 26 20 3.6 _ _ Shaw Creek Flats 980 11/2597 13 18 1 1.6 _ — Upper Wood River 2990 12/1597 18 20 24 42 _ _ January Bonanza Creek 1150 123187 18 3.0 21 3.7 16 29 Caribou Creek 1250 1/888 18 24 17 3.4 16 21 Caribou Snow Pillow 900 1/788 17 25 18 3.6 16 26 Chisana 3320: 11/78R8 16 3.0 15 23 Fairbanks 450 12187 17 2a _ _ _ _ Haystack Mtn. 1950 No Survey 24 45 22 3.9 Rock Creek Bottom 2250 12/2997 18 3.0 _ _ _ _ Rock Creek Ridge 2600 «1/188 18 3.4 _ _ _ February Bonanza Creek 1150 1/2888 18 33 23 45 19 35 Caribou Creek 1250 Delayed Data 20 43 21 3.4 Caribou Snow Pillow 900 Delayed Data 21 42 20 3.2 Cleary Summit 2230 «2/28 22 40 26 49 24 48 Colorado Creek 700 = 2/288 16 25 22 3.2 21 3.4 Edgar Creek 240 862/188 21 46 - - - _ Fairbanks Field Off. 40 81188 16 25 22 35 18 3.2 Faith Creek 1900 2/28 15 24 23 41 _ _ Fielding Lake 3000 «1/2688 28 61 x2 89 34 79 Fort Greely 1500 1/2888 18 3.1 16 21 15 25 French Creek 1800 1/2788 23 46 23 45 23 47 Gerstle River 1200 1/2788 a7, 231, 15 20 16 24 Gold King 1700 «= 2/18 21 3.4 _ - _ _ Granite Creek 1240 1/288 18 29 14 25 15 26 Haystack Mtn. 1960 Delayed Data 26 55 27 48 Jatahmund Lake 2180 1/3088 13 19 15 21 _ _ Kantishna 1550 1/298 23 43 23 46 _- — Lake Minchumina 730 1/298 13 18 13 24 19 3.4 Lost Creek 3030: 1/2888 12 24 _ _ _ _ Mentasta Pass 2430 1/2688 472 24 24 5.1 22 45 Paradise Hill 2200 «1/2888 15 22 16 24 _ —_— Ptarmigan Airstrip 2400 8=2/188 18 3.1 = - _ _ Rock Creek Bottom 2250 4288 18 31 _ - _ _— Rock Creek Ridge 2600 82/288 20 3.8 _ - — Shaw Creek Flats 980 1/2788 16 et 1 2st, 2 Tok Junction 1650 1/2788 15 2.0 21 3.4 16 rats Upper Wood River 2990 _ 2/188 21 40 — - _ _ Western Interior Basins February 1, 1998 Koyukuk Basin snowpack * Bettles temperature (inches) (degrees F) 1) National Weather Service Station A 16 << —_—_— " a geen Sn * Based on c 7 a 1968 selected stations a So - 3 9— — _. Heme rel & zg — — Maximum = 5 s ee iS 2 = = = Average = = 7 oO R — = Minimum E Oe nea ei 3 2 Mis 0 current Se ea as E ae 2 i —- ira 2 ~ -? since 1967 2 S 3 Q -12 — o a 2 ——— OCT NOV DEC JAN FEB MAR APR KOYUKUK SNOWCOVER: The snow water equivalent for the Koyukuk Basin is 76 percent of normal. The seven snow courses used to make this determination are all in the 70 percent range. Table Mountain snow course, just south of the Brooks Range, was difficult to measure due to a herd of Caribou having moved through the area disturbing the snowpack as they grazed and uncovered the lichen. This is a rare occurrence at this snow course. KUSKOKWIM SNOWCOVER: The snowpack is believed to be 70 to 80 percent of normal with most of the snow occurring in November and some in December. The snow cover started late this year at McGrath beginning October 25th, according the National Weather Service observer. For more information, contact your local Natural Resources Conservation Service office in Anchorage, 271-2424 10 K kuk / Upper Kuskokwim / Lower Yuko.. Snowpack Data This Year Last Year 1961-90 Average Snow Water Snow Water Snow Water Snow Course Elevation Date Depth Content Depth Content Depth Content Koyukuk - December Bettles Field 640 12888 15 22 19 35 -_ _ Kuskokwim - December Lake Minchumina 7TH No Survey 10 1.2 _ _ Purkeypile Mine 2025 No Survey 17 3.3 _ _ Koyukuk - February Bettles Field 640 2/498 22 40 27 49 26 5.2 Bonanza Forks 900 1/2898 21 35 23 4.2 23 4.2 Coldfoot 1040 Delayed Data 26 42 28 53 Disaster Creek 1550 1/2088 15 23 16 1.7 19 3.0 Table Mountain 2200 1/2988 15 29 16 20 20 35 Kuskokwim - February Lake Minchumina 730 = 1/2988 13 18 13 24 19 3.4 McGrath 340 No Survey 18 3.4 24 38 Purkeypile Mine 2025 «1/2088 27 61 17 21 _ _ Telaquana Lake 1550 2/28 16 28 — _ _ _ Upper Twin Lakes 2000 «= 2/288 28 7.4 _ _ _- _ Precipitation Data JANUARY YR TO DATE Preci Station This Year _Last Year 61-90 AVG This Year Last Year 61-90 AVG Bettles Field 0.10 1.70 1.10 2.80 3.00 5.40 Coldfoot 0.20 0.80 1.10 2.50 3.10 5.40 Wat Si k Analysis No. Courses This year as a % of jion/River Basin Averi Last year Ave Kuskokwim 1 113 90 Koyukuk 6 275 86 11 Arctic and Kotzebue Sound February 1, 1998 Arctic Coastal snowpack * Barrow temperature (inches) (degrees F) National Weather Service Station Oe 16 * Based on c 9 —_ rT: Wyoming n 1979 gauge stations 2 8 — ig =e = @ -_ a 3 Sy mm ee taxi bo} & i ___ = Average = = c oe | imimum + ° 3 5 — — , a 2 . carrer E Elli a alae ——— 3 Malet] = BS 34g since 1976 ® Simin ig g Q -12 ~ a -16 ue ut OCT NOV DEC JAN FEB MAR APR ARCTIC SNOWCOVER: Prudhoe Bay has received 159 percent of the normal precipitation since October 1st, most if not all in the form of snow. Barrow is right at 100 percent of normal with Barter Island (Kaktovik) believed to be about 65 percent of normal. KOTZEBUE SOUND SNOWCOVER: ; The region from Kotzebue north to Red Dog mine has very little snow cover. The tussocks are exposed making the snow machining extremely rough. The precipitation since October 1st is 68 percent of normal at the mine site. For more information, contact your local Natural Resources Conservation Service office in Anchorage, 272-4119 12 ARCTIC AND KOTZEBUE SOUND Precipitation Data Inches accumulated since October 1st % of Precipitation Gauge Elevation Date Current Last Year Average Average__ Arctic Atigun Camp 3400 18188 19 23 3.9 49 Atigun Pass 4800 118188 3.0 3.4 66 4 Barrow 23 2/298 2.2 1.0 2.2 100 Barter Island 3% 2/698 1.2 18 17 71 Prudhoe Bay 30 2/688 5.1 1.6 29 176 Toolik River 3050 1B1 88 18 1.6 29 62 Kotzebue Sound Red Dog $60 1B188 28 24 49 57 Watershed Snowpack Analysis No. Courses This year as a % of Region/River Basin Averaged Last year Average Arctic Coast 3 125 Dalton Highway Z 54 13 Norton Sound-Southwest Delta and Bristol Bay February 1, 1998 Nome precipitation Nome temperature (percent of normal) (degrees F) National Weather Service Station 12. 160 National . Weather o Service > _ Station 3 © 100 ane E 6 2 — E - B% Average °o 3 2 5 E ¢ % Average ° oe pee £ 5s ° ~ = = & -12 o a 5 6 OCT NOV DEC JAN FEB MAR APR OCT NOV DEC JAN FEB MAR APR NORTON SOUND SNOWCOVER: The snow cover near and around Nome is a poor indication of the rest of the Seward Peninsula. The tussocks are exposed north, east and west of Nome except where it has been drifted. SOUTHWEST DELTA AND BRISTOL BAY SNOWCOVER: The precipitation at King Salmon since October 1st is 57 percent of normal, 20 percent more than last year. This leaves us with another lean snow cover as of February 1st, 1998. For more information, contact your local Natural Resources Conservation Service office in Anchorage, 271-2424 14 Nori, Sound, Southwest Delta, and Bristol way Snowpack Data This Year Last Year Water Snow Water Snow Water Snow Course Elevation Date Content Depth Content Depth Content Bristol Bay - December Brooks Camp 150 12/297 1.4 1 0.2 _ Bristol Bay - January Port Alsworth 270 381688 3.1 _ _ _ Bristol Bay - February Brooks Camp 150 1/1898 40 6 15 _ Fishtrap Lake 1800 =. 2/28 65 a — _ Port Alsworth 270 8288 3.2 _ _ - Precipitation Data JANUARY YR TO DATE Preci lion Station This Year __Last Year 61-90 AVG This Year Last Year 61-90 AVG Bristol Bay King Salmon NRCS 1.20 0.40 3.50 2.30 6.10 Port Alsworth —_ — a _ _ | tle . Bethel precipitation Bethel temperature (percent of normal) (degrees F) | 260 - Oe National Weather Service Station ; National | \| We 12 — | I atcha ceernaetceacereetonieball leather | | | | 8 $$ | | Percent of Normal OCT NOV DEC JAN FEB MAR APR Service Departure From Normal (degrees 17 Gy Ee OCT NOV DEC JAN FEB MAR APR 1961-90 Average Copper Basin February 1, 1998 Copper Basin snowpack * Gulkana temperature (inches) (degrees F) National Weather Service Station 12 - _ * Based on selected stations _ - ee 8 pein: ~~ = Average —— Minimum - eK current Water Equivalent (inches) ‘ since 1964 Departure From Normal (degrees F) OcT NOV DEC JAN FEB MAR APR SNOWCOVER: The east and west sides of the Copper Basin have an above normal snowpack as indicated by Sanford River at 134 percent of normal on the east(Wrangle Mountains) side. On the west(Talkeetna Mountains) side of the basin, Square Lake is 128 percent of normal. The Paxson snow course, to the north, is 76 percent of normal and Lake Louise snow course , to the south, is 79 percent of normal. For more information, contact your local Natural Resources Conservation Service office in Palmer, 745-4274 16 Snowpack Data Copper Basin This Year Last Year 1961-90 Average Snow Water Snow Water Snow Water Snow Course Elevation Date Depth Content Depth Content Depth Content December Kenny Lake School 1300 No Survey 10 18 _ —_ Lake Louise 2400 «11/2587 10 1.2 16 2.1 _ _ Little Nelchina 2650 11/2897 10 13 19 28 _ _ Tolsona Creek 2000 11/25/97 1 1.4 _ _ _ _ January Chokosna 1550 No Survey 11 2.0 _ _ Horsepasture Pass 4300 «(1988 19 3.8 _ _ _ _ Kenny Lake School 1300 1/788 20 42 16 18 13 18 Lost Creek 3030 No Survey 12 2.0 — _ Monson Lake 3100 1988 20 3.6 _ _ = — St Anne Lake 1990 198 20 3.6 _ _— _ _ Tazlina 1225 1/688 20 38 _ — _ _ Twin Lakes 2400 «1988 26 49 _— _- o _ February Chistochina 2170 1/2688 17 28 23 3.7 18 29 Chokosna 1550 = 1/298 18 3.7 _ — — _ Dadina Lake 2160 1/2988 21 41 28 46 22 38 Haggard Creek 2540 1/2688 20 33 26 44 22 42 Horsepasture Pass 4800 =: 1/2888 24 46 24 48 22 42 Kenny Lake School 1300 «=. 2/7888 19 3.1 _ - 14 22 Lake Louise 2400 «1/2688 16 23 21 38 18 29 Little Nelchina 2650 «122688 18 3.6 23 44 _ _ Lost Creek 3030: 1/2888 12 21 _- _ _ _— May Creek 1610 1/2988 24 5.0 _ = _ _ Mentasta Pass 2430 1/2688 17 2.4 24 5.1 22 45 Monsoon Lake 3100 1/2988 24 41 28 5.0 23 48 Paxson 2650 1/2688 21 39 2 49 26 51 Sanford River 2280 1/2988 32 5.1 31 5.1 22 3.8 St. Anne Lake 1990 No Survey 20 3.9 20 3.7 Tazlina 1225 288 21 3.4 18 33 _ _ Tolsona Creek 2000 «(1/2688 18 3.4 20 35 13 27 Tsaina River 1650 2388 BSB 18.4 _ - 6 11.8 Twin Lakes 2400 «1/2888 31 5.4 22 49 24 49 Worthington Glacier 2100 288 79 24.7 _— - 57 15.8 Wat Sn ick Analysis No. Courses This year as a % of Region/River Basin Averaged Last year Average Alaska Range 4 ea 74 Basin Floor 4 76 91 Chugach Range 1 110 110 Talkeetna Mountains 3 &B 112 Wrangle Mountains 2 Ss 121 17 Matanuska - Susitna Basins February 1, 1998 Lower Susitna Basin Talkeetna temperature snowpack * (degrees F) (inches) National Weather Service Station 6 $A 24 -— = 1990 * Based on 3 12 —— 20 ——____»t_______ selected stations 2 - \ S 3 a ee 3 2 _— 3 16 2S —_— Maximum 3 =a Noe = = Average E 5 3 = ee er — =F Minimum z 2 KC rrent E a ae = 9 ua oo ® ay he 5 8 - . _ w 3 a re since 1964 2 8 = * 3 es oO a OCT NOV DEC JAN FEB MAR APR SNOWCOVER The east side of the Susitna Basin is near to below normal while the west side is right at normal snowpack for February 1st. The Fishhook Basin snow course is 62 percent of normal and is the 6th lowest on record for it’s 35th year of measurement in the Little Susitna drainage. The Willow snow course is a little above normal, 104 percent, and Talkeetna is 84 percent of normal. The snowpack decreases as a percent of normal as one proceeds north on the Parks Highway to Cantwell. For more information, contact your local Natural Resources Conservation Service office in Palmer, 745-4274 18 Matanuska - Susitna Basin Snowpack Data This Year Last Year 1961-90 Average Snow Water Snow Water Snow Water Snow Course Elevation Date Depth Content Depth Content Depth Content December Blueberry Hill 1200 11/2497 21 3.2 30 68 _ _ Chelatna Lake 1650 12/97 14 29 32 7.0 _ _ Denali View 700 11/24/97 16 2.7 24 40 _ _ Dutch Hills 3100 12/97 ss Cl 37 8.1 _ _ E. Fork Chulitna 1800 11/24/97 18 3.2 29 6.4 _ _ Fishhook Basin 3300 «12/187 27 5.6 51 13.6 _ _ Independence Mine 3400 «(12/197 28 5.7 54 14.0 _ _ Lake Louise 2400 11/2587 10 a2 16 24 _ _ Little Susitna 1700 12/287 21 3.6 3 87 _ _ Nugget Bench 2010 12/397 3 68 34 75 _ _ Ramsdyke Creek 2220 121387 _ 88 x 79 _ _— Sheep Mountain 2900 11/2897 12 430, 21 3.7 _ _ Susitna Valley High 375 11/2897 15 3.2 2 46 21 40 Talkeetna 350 No Survey 21 3.6 _ _ Tokositna Valley 850 1287 ss 11.2 34 5.8 _ _ Willow Airstrip 200 11/2897 16 29 32 64 _ _ January Archangel Rd 2200 12197 4 68 _ _— _ _ Chelatna Lake 1650 = 1/488 27 67 31 2 _ —_ Clearwater Lake 2650 1988 19 3.4 —_ _ _ _ Dutch Hills 3100 = 1/498 5 4A. 3B 10.1 _ _ Fishhook Basin 3300 (1214897 9% 9.0 47 14.4 - _ Fog Lakes 198 22 3.3 _ _ _ _ Independence Mine 3400 «(12/3188 41 93 SO 15.2 _ _ Little Susitna 1700 12/3187 27 5.4 _ — _ _ Monohan Flat 2710 198 x 51 _ — _ _ Nugget Bench 2010 1/488 x9 8.0 37 83 —_ _ Ramsdyke Creek 2220 «(1/488 62 13.6 ” 9.0 _ _ Square Lake 2950 §=19K8 21 3.4 — _ _ _ Tokositna Valley 850 = 1/4498 6 422 a 88 - _ February Alexander Lake 160 1/2788 32 8.0 xs 69 xs 8.0 Archangel Road 2200 +2588 32 79 40 10.1 37 10.0 Blueberry Hill 1200 1/2488 16 76 31 76 6 115 Chelatna Lake 1650 1/2588 32 7.7 —_ - 3 ae Clearwater Lake 2650 1/2988 24 41 28 45 21 3.8 Denali View 700 1/2498 3% 65 24 5.4 xs 8.7 Dutch Hills 3100 1/2988 42 128 _— - 62 19.0 E. Fork Chulitna 1800 1/2498 30 65 3 89 4 99 Fishhook Basin 3300s 2/188 37 8.7 51 15.0 8 14.1 Fog Lakes 2120 1/2988 18 3.2 _ _ 20 3.7 Independence Mine 3400 2/188 36 86 ss 15.0 54 16.1 Lake Louise 2400 «1/2688 16 23 21 38 18 29 Little Susitna 1700 9.2588 27 58 3 95 B 8.7 Monahan Flat 2710 1/2988 2 55 _ _ 27 5.3 Nugget Bench 2010 1/2988 xs 95 _ - 44 10.5 Ramsdyke Creek 2220 1/2988 ss 146 _ - 56 15.8 Sheep Mountain 2900 1/2688 21 42 24 48 22 41 Skwentna 160 1/2788 3B 8.0 3 1 3% 8.0 Square Lake 2950 =: 1/2888 21 3.7 22 38 17 29 Susitna Valley High 375 = 1/2898 28 5.2 26 5.7 24 5.3 Talkeetna XO 1/2888 26 46 21 45 23 55 Tokositna Valley 850 1/2788 52 13.2 - - 44 125 Tyone River 2500 «1/2888 20 3.2 27 49 _ _ Willow Airstrip 200 «1/2688 28 53 2 7.2 23 51 19 Northern Cook Inlet February 1, 1998 Ship Creek snowpack * (inches) * Based on 24 — oO ey — - selected stations an a 3 a —— Maximum >o 18—— ———_—-- € - -= = Average = 16 | eee) (=!) aici LC) ells 3 - — Ke g - ‘Current 5 12X%—,* TS Cc - w - On TET TI since 1967 5 ——_—O s olin 7 SNOWCOVER Anchorage temperature (degrees F) National Weather Service Station 16 ~ 12 ae Departure From Normal (degrees F) -16 OCT NOV DEC JAN FEB MAR APR The snow course in the Portage Valley is 218 percent of normal, and at Point Mackenzie there is a 197 percent of normal snowpack. Anchorage’s snow is very similar to last year with Kincaid Park having essentially the same measurement and the Anchorage Hillside snow course within .5 inches of last years snow water equivalent. It is currently 130 percent of normal. For more information, contact your local Natural Resources Conservation Service office in Palmer, 745-4274; or Anchorage, 271-2424 20 Snowpack Data Northern Cook Inlet This Year Last Year 1961-90 Average Snow Water Snow Water Snow Water Snow Course Elevation Date Depth Content Depth Content Depth Content December Anchorage Hillside 2080 «12/397 23 3.0 24 5.6 _ _ Kincaid Park 250 12/197 7 1.6 28 38 —_— — Mt. Alyeska 1540 12/497 34 63 2 65 sO 168 Point Mackenzie 200 12/287 17 3.3 2 41 _ _- South Campbell Creek 1200 12587 17 3.0 20 5.2 _ _ January Kincaid Park 250 12/3197 23 38 21 43 _ _ Portage Valley SO 188 s 140 32 12.0 —_ _ February Anchorage Hillside 2080 2/788 34 9.2 37 8.7 28 wl Indian Pass 2350 «2/188 6 18.1 6 185 54 15.8 Kincaid Park 250 «1/3088 21 47 22 47 _— _ Mt. Alyeska 1540 1/3088 79 23.4 66 16.7 78 23.4 Point Mackenzie 200 = =2/688 23 6.7 24 47 15 3.4 Portage Valley SO 2/268 49 179 23 10.4 28 8.2 South Campbell Creek 1200 2/688 2 88 31 7.0 19 40 Precipitation Data JANUARY YR TO DATE Precipitation Station This Year _Last Year 61-90 AVG This Year Last Year 61-90 AVG NORTHERN COOK INLET Congahbuna Lake - - 2.50 _ - 14.10 Indian Pass 290 2.10 4.00 17.40 16.70 17.30 Mt. Alyeska 6.40 6.40 6.60 28.50 21.60 28.30 Point Mckenzie - 0.20 0.90 _ 5.30 5.50 Watershed Snowpack Analysis No. Courses This year as a % of Region/River Basin Aver: Last year Average South Campbell Creek Ship Creek 2 100 119 Turnagain Arm 2 136 105 21 Northern Kenai Mountains snowpack* (inches) 1988 1980 -_ 3 2 3 3 3 2 5 co a 3 Kenai Peninsula February 1, 1998 * Based on selected stations —_— “Maximum = 27 © Average = Miri eK Current since 1970 SNOWCOVER Homer temperature (degrees F) National Weather Service Station Departure From Normal (degrees F) OCT NOV DEC JAN FEB MAR APR The northern Kenai Mountains have a snowpack that averages 131 percent of normal. The range is from 205 percent at Moose Pass to Cooper Landing which is 105 percent of normal. For the rim above Homer, Bridge Creek is 108 percent of normal and McNeil Canyon is 161 percent of normal. Most of Homer’s early season snow in town turned to ice in January. © For more information, contact your local Natural Resources Conservation Service office in Homer, 235-8177 22 Snowpack Data Kenai Peninsula This Year Last Year 1961-90 Average Snow Water Snow Water Snow Water Snow Course Elevation Date Depth Content Depth Content Depth Content December Bertha Creek 950 11/2987 15 3.2 32 5.9 — _ Bridge Creek 1300 11/28/97 8 1.4 8 15 _ _ Cooper Lake 1200 No Survey 14 2.0 34 75 Demonstration Forest 780 «11/2897 8 11 4 02 _ _ Grouse Creek Divide 700 312/187 3% 3.2 10 1.2 29 7.6 Jean Lake 620 11/3087 8 Os 8 09 _ _ Kenai Summit 1300 11/2987 13 3.2 29 5.3 _ _ McNeil Canyon 1320 11/2897 13 18 10 2.0 21 39 Moose Pass 700 11/2087 11 1.4 12 18 _ — Nuka Glacier 1250 1297 16 21 10 1.4 _ _ Snug Harbor Road 500 No Survey 7 0.7 _ _ Summit Creek 1400 11/2987 10 20 23 48 23 5.6 January Bertha Creek 950 = 1/688 41 12.0 36 1.0 30 78 Cooper Lake 1200 1/888 37 10.0 23 42 34 75 Grouse Creek Divide 700 = 1/888 a 11.7 20 3.0 29 76 Jean Lake 620 No Survey 10 17 _ _ Kenai Summit 1300 1/1588 x6 9.2 2 73 32 69 Moose Pass 700 3=1588 31 67 10 2.4 11 2.2 Snug Harbor Road 500 =: 1888 23 49 12 22 12 19 Summit Creek 1400 1588 2 74 22 5.2 23 5.6 February Bertha Creek $60 = 1/2988 41 13.1 50 12.2 x 10.9 Bridge Creek 1300 =. 2/28 28 79 22 40 32 73 Cooper Lake 1200 1/2988 x9 11.0 37 8.0 4 10.5 Demonstration Forest 780 = 1/288 26 66 15 3.1 19 48 Eagle Lake 1400 1/2988 32 89 — _ 27 68 Grandview 1100 1/1588 76 20.3 _ _ — — Grouse Creek Divide 700 31/2988 46 140 6 68 3 12.4 Jean Lake 1/298 20 3.4 18 22 13 27 Kenai Moose Pens 300 Delayed Data - _ 11 26 Kenai Summit 1300 1/208 37 11.0 “a 9.2 x2 96 McNeil Canyon 1320 2/288 iC) 98 21 43 23 6.1 Moose Pass 700 = 1/2988 3s 78 15 23 16 38 Nuka Glacier 1250 1/2988 4 17.2 59 21.0 58 22.9 Snug Harbor Road 500 = 1/2988 23 §2 15 2.0 14 3.0 Summit Creek 1400 1/2988 28 83 2 63 32 8.0 Tumagain Pass 1880 1/3088 84 26.1 7 19.6 85 238 Precij Data JANUARY YR TO DATE Preci, Statio This Year __Last Year 61-90 AVG This Year Last Year 61-90 AVG Cooper Lake 3.80 2.90 3.00 20.80 9.10 16.60 Grandview 650 3.30 5.60 32.20 13.20 25.70 Grouse Creek Divide 3.40 _ 5.20 26.60 — 24.20 Kenai Moose Pens 0.90 0.50 1.00 490 4.10 5.50 McNeil Canyon School 1.20 1.10 2.60 12.60 5.50 11.30 Middle Fork Bradley 250 3.30 5.40 23.10 8.40 26.00 Nuka Glacier 1.90 8.40 8.70 34.80 21.60 40.30 Summit Creek 1.00 1.10 2.70 10.40 490 12.70 Tumagain Pass 7.80 4.50 6.50 28.70 17.30 26.60 23 Valdez / Thompson Pass snowpack * (inches) 340 ——-___- —-—_—_ 1977 Water Equivalent (inches) . Western Gulf February 1, 1998 * Based on selected stations —_— —Mexmum = = = Average —_— = Minimum eK Current SNOWCOVER Departure From Normal (degrees F) -10 Valdez temperature (degrees F) National Weather Service Station 10 ——— OCT NOV DEC JAN FEB MAR APR The Valdez snow course measurement is near normal while the percent of normal increases as you go north and increase in elevation on the Richardson Highway. Worthington Glacier is 156 percent of normal. For more information, contact your local Natural Resources Conservation Service office in Homer, 235-8177; or Palmer, 745-4274 24 Snowpack Data Western Gulf This Year Last Year 1961-90 Average Snow Water Snow Water Snow Water Snow Course Elevation Date Depth Content Depth Content Depth Content December Exit Glacier S00 12/287 2 26 10 2.1 _ _ Grouse Creek Divide 700 «12/197 30 3.2 10 1.2 29 76 Nuka Glacier 1250 12/397 16 2.1 10 1.4 _ _ January Exit Glacier 500 = 1/688 36 9.0 _ _— _ _ Grouse Creek Divide 700 = 1/888 4 11-7 20 3.0 29 76 Sugarloaf Mountain 525 121987 S7 18.0 x 7.0 _ _ February Exit Glacier 500 = 2/28 42 12.7 30 85 _ _ Grouse Creek Divide 700 81/2988 46 140 xs 68 3 12.4 Lowe River 600 8288 52 141 3 67 42 10.4 Nuka Glacier 1250 1/2988 4 17.2 59 21.0 58 22.9 Tsaina River 1650 28 63 18.4 37 75 4 118 Valdez 50 28 40 10.5 42 89 x2 10.9 Worthington Glacier 2100 288 79 24.7 50 10.7 S7 15.8 Preci: n Data JANUARY YR TO DATE Precipitation Station This Year _Last Year 61-90 AVG This Year Last Year 61-90 AVG Western Gulf Grouse Creek Divide 3.40 _ 5.20 26.60 _ 24.20 Nuka Glacier 1.90 8.40 8.70 34.80 21.60 40.30 Soloman Gulch 2.80 4.94 5.80 25.80 14.00 27.20 Sugarloaf Mtn. 2.80 3.50 5.90 28.70 17.30 26.60 latershed Si ‘k Analysis No. Courses This year as a % of Region/River Basin Aver. Last year Average Valdez 3 188 133 25 Southeast February 1, 1998 Douglas Island snowpack* (inches) 40 ——__— * Based on selected stations aaa a eT) 30 — a aa — Maximum = = = Average — =| Minmum eK Corrent SNOWCOVER Departure From Normal (degrees F) 40 Juneau temperature (degrees F) National Weather Service Station 10 ———______________ 6 a OCT NOV DEC JAN FEB MAR APR The snow courses on Douglas Island are much below normal with Eagle Crest at 70 percent. The Petersburg Ridge snow course is 65 percent of normal and less than 50 percent of the normal water content was neasured at Petersburg Reservoir. The Moore Creek Bridge snow course above Skagway is probably near 70 percent of normal snow water equivalent. 26 Snowpack Data Southeast This Year Last Year 1961-90 Average Snow Water Snow Water Snow Water Snow Course Elevation Date Depth Content Depth Content Depth Content December Cropley Lake 1650 11/2997 17 3.0 16 5.1 SS 15.9 Eagle Crest 1000 11/2997 10 19 6 1.4 27 75 Fish Creek 500 11/2997 4 08 oO 0.0 6 15 Moore Creek Bridge 2300 «(12/197 18 3.4 22 42 _ _ Petersburg Ridge 1650 11/2697 9 1.0 5 2 _ _ January High Cirque Lake 2550 «12/3188 72 _ _ _— _ _ Lake Grace Pass 1900 12/3198 4 _ — _ _ _ Licking Creek 1050 12/3188 1 0.2 30 99 _ _ Lost Lake 425 128188 6 15 3 10.6 — Mint Creek Ridge 1900 12/3198 72 20.2 114 365 _ _ Moore Creek Bridge 2300 12/3197 41 9.2 24 5.0 _ _ Mt. Reid Pass 1660 12188 72 _ 81 259 _ _ Petersburg Reservior S50 12/2987 oO 0.0 0 0.0 13 35 Petersburg Ridge 1650 12/2097 4 10.9 x 99 45 12.2 Upper Swan Lake 1700 127188 24 5.4 42 13.9 _ _ February Cropley Lake 1650 12188 42 13.6 42 13 70 22.6 Eagle Crest 1000 1/3088 21 7.4 22 7.4 xs 10.5 Fish Creek S00 «1188 6 18 7 2.0 21 28 Moore Creek Bridge 2300 «1/2988 = 11.0 3% 62 _ _ Petersburg Reservoir SSO 1/2988 a 20 20 58 16 45 Petersburg Ridge, S. 1650 1/2988 37 128 48 16.0 64 19.7 Precipitation Data JANUARY YR TO DATE Precipitation Station This Year __Last Year 61-90 AVG This Year Last Year 61-90 AVG Snettisham 5.21 282 13.60 20.41 47.50 81.60 Swan Lake 8.90 13.11 _ 76.90 57.00 65.10 Watershed Snowpack Analysis No. Courses This year as a % of Region/River Basin Averaged Last year Average Douglas Island 3 102 64 Petersburg 2 6s 61 27 USDA-NRCS a OFFICE U.S. OFFICIAL MAIL i 9 E 36TH SUITE 40 S ° PENALTY 2 ANCHORAGE AK 99508-4362 $30000. USE S 7 oc Ss + Stanley E. Sieczkowski (78) Manager of Main. and Operations 480 W. Tudor Road Anchorage, AK 99503