In the West, we depend on winter snow to supply agricultural, municipal and industrial water that is used during the dry months of the year. Water managers use the NRCS Snotel Update Reportto determine the quantity of water stored in the mountain snowpack. The data is sorted by river basin or geographic area.
When we want information about the snowpack in the Four Corners Region, we may check the Snotel for Dolores/San Miguel and Animas River Basins, San Juan River Headwaters, Southeastern Utah, and Chuska Mountains. Our search can be conducted by State and River Basin, or by Region or Basin. For example selecting the Upper Colorado River Basin brings up all of the rivers that contribute to the Colorado River in the Upper Basin States.
When snowpack data was first collected, measurements were conducted physically, on snowshoes and skis. When snowmobiles became popular, volunteers would visit snow course sites to take measurements. Today, sites are automated, providing timely reports daily.
Information about drought is found at the United States Drought Monitor site.
Have fun perusing these sites!
