COKEVILLE — The past month of April snowpacks’ Snow Water Equivalents (SWE) have started to melt in the lower elevations. The higher elevation snowpacks gained some SWEs but for the most part hovered around median. Spring was earlier this year, which was welcome from last year’s heavy snow accumulation.

No year is exactly a median year, but this past year is close. It appeared that the upcoming water year is on track to be good. Spring rains are critical for rangeland vegetative growth and to kick-start hay production.

As of May 6, the Snake River Basin’s SWEs, as a whole, were 94% of median.

Last year’s snowpacks’ SWEs were 115% of median at this time of year. The Salt River Drainage Basin’s snowpacks’ SWEs currently ranged from a high at the Grover Parks Manual Snow Course at 310% of median due to a slow melt out, to a low at the Cottonwood Creek Snotel Site Drainage Basin’s at 85% of median.

The Greys River Drainage Basin’s snowpacks’ SWEs ranged from a high at the Blind Bull Summit Snotel Site at 110% of median to a low at the Spring Creek Divide Snotel Site at 100% of median.. 

Most probable water flow predictions as of April 1, for the Greys River and the Salt River near Etna were around 98% of median and 100% of median respectively, if current weather patterns continue. Jackson Lake was 74% of capacity as of April 1. 

The Upper Bear River Basin’s snowpacks’ SWEs, as a whole for May 6, were 106% of median. Last year’s snowpacks’ were 186% of median. The snowpacks in the Cokeville, area ranged from a high at the Big Park Manual Snow Course high at 94% of median to a low at the Salt River Snotel Site at 89% of median due to heavy melt out.

The head of Bear River’s snowpacks’ SWEs around Evanston, ranged from a high at the Trial Lake Snotel Site at 124% of median to a low at the Hayden Fork Snotel Site at 62% of median due to early melt out.

As of April 1, the most probable water predictions for the Smiths Fork River near Border, and the Bear River near Woodruff, Utah, were estimated to be around 100% and 133% of median respectively if current weather patterns continue. The Woodruff Narrows Reservoir was 85% of capacity.  

The Lower Green River Basin’s snowpacks’ SWE, as a whole for May 6, were 95% of median.  Last year’s median for this time of the year was 166%. The snowpacks’ SWEs in the Upper Hams Fork River Drainage Basin ranged from a high at the Kelley Ranger Station Snotel Site at 118% of median to a low at the Indian Creek Snotel Site at 108% of median.

As of May 3, the Hams Fork River most probable flow prediction below Viva Naughton Reservoir was estimated to be around 85% of median. Viva Naughton Reservoir capacity is about 76% of median for this time of the year.

This is the last forecast for the upcoming year. This past winter was not near as moisture-ridden as last year but was still respectable. As of April 30, the U.S. Drought Monitor map had Lincoln County out of a drought condition designation. If spring rains come as in past years the overall, water year should be good.

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.