CASPER, Wyo.—Wyoming climatologists say they’re grateful for above-average snowpack levels to help with drought conditions, but they’re wary about potential flooding.
“It’s kind of a mixed emotion,” said John Lawson, area manager in Mills for the Bureau of Reclamation. “It’s nice to have water but, to be candid, you can get too much of a good thing. Right now, I’m saying we’re getting a little too much of a good thing. I’d like to see it kind of slack off.”
Several basins were listed as “high” risk for flooding by the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration. The forecast is for when snow melts in the spring.
The Casper Star-Tribune reported Sunday that the Upper Bear River is the basin with the highest level snowpack with 135 percent of average. The lowest levels were the Belle Fourche and Wind River basins, with 104 percent of average.
State officials said the high levels are reason to be cautious because last year’s snowpack levels were at 86 percent of normal and near-flooding conditions existed.
Wyoming State Climatologist Steve Gray told the newspaper he’s “cautiously optimistic” that the high snowpack will help with drought conditions, but added that heavy snow or rain could cause early or fast runoff.
Lawson said officials are releasing water from the state’s system in case of heavy spring rains.
“We’re pushing water hard, and we’re pushing it about as hard as we can without causing problems,” he said. “This is serious business. We understand that, and that’s why we’re taking the actions that we are.”
———
Information from: Casper Star-Tribune – Casper,
