Local News

Warm April Leads to Early Snowmelt

BEND, OR -- Just two months ago, snowpack was about normal in the mountains. Now, it's at just 58% of normal. Julie Keoberele, Snow Survey Hydrologist with the Natural Resources Conservation Service, says the region's unusually warm April led to an early snowmelt. “Most of the major irrigation reservoirs are near normal to above normal right now. So, that’s the good news.” 

 

The bad news is that if warm temperatures continue and we don’t get much rain, Keoberele says stream flows will be reduced this year. “Lower stream flows in smaller tributaries means warmer stream temperatures which can affect fish and wildlife. Also, once we lose our snow in the mountains, and the mountain soil moisture dries out, then we have that earlier threat of fire.” 

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