February 6, 2023 |
With high-country snowpack levels mounting since before Christmas, some Carbon County residents are looking forward to a green spring and summer. Others are concerned about the potential for flooding come run-off season. The Wyoming State Engineer’s Office are among those who advising that folks should prepare for high water.
Division One Water Superintendent Cory Rinehart spent last week trekking the Sierra Madres conducting snowpack measurements. Rinehart said the snowpack is already above the 30-year average in many areas. He said a warm, rainy spring could increase the possibility of flooding.
Pictured above: Sandbags staged in Saratoga in 2019. Photo by Jim O’Reilly/Bigfooot 99.
Rinehart said every survey site he visited showed higher than usual amounts of moisture. Snowpack in Upper North Platte River drainage is 133 percent of the 30-year average. The Encampment River drainage area is at 141 percent and the Little Snake River is at 154 percent. Rinehart said all locations are indicating more snowpack than the previous year.
Rinehart said his measurements fall in line with ones taken in 2011. During that year, higher than average snowpack caused the North Platte River to overflow its banks. The Army National Guard was deployed to Saratoga to help the town fight the flooding. Rinehart said he can’t be sure the river will flood again, but it would be a good idea for residents to be prepared.
The mountain snowpack isn’t the only concern. More moisture than usual exists on the lower elevations as well. Rinehart said, when the low-lying snow melts, the mountain run-off won’t have anywhere to go due to increased soil moisture.
The snowpack measurements are simply a tool the State Engineer’s Office uses to help predict the likelihood of a flood. Even though the snow is already at 2011 levels, Rinehart said he can’t be sure a similar flood will happen. He recommends, however, being ready for action.
After three years of drier than normal winters, the area needed more moisture. With this much snowpack already, and months to go before spring, it may be too much of a good thing.
