Snow pack has more moisture in upper James River basin

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Measurements of the snow pack of the upper James River basin indicate about a half inch more moisture in the snow this year than at this time last year. Despite the additional moisture, however, officials say its too early to predict the possibility or severity of a flood event.

Bob Martin, Pipestem Dam manager for the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers, said the measurements are the first of a series that will be taken as the spring melt approaches.

“At the 15 snow survey locations we averaged about 15 inches of snow,” he said. “It’s very hard and compact snow; you could walk over the snow to get to the survey locations.”

The same survey locations are used each year and identified through Global Positioning System readings. At each location five separate measurements are taken. The snow depth is measured and a sample of the snow is melted to determine how much water the snow contains. This is known as the snow water equivalent.

“This year we’re seeing an average of 3.5 inches,” Martin said. “Last year at this time the measurements were right at 3 inches.”

Martin stressed that these first measurements are preliminary.

“It’s pretty early and we have two more months of possible snow,” he said. “The good thing is there is little or no frost in the ground so more of the moisture may soak away than runoff.”

The data Martin accumulates is sent to the corps offices in Omaha,?Neb. They combine his data with information from the National Weather Service and other sources to make projections concerning lake levels and release amounts from the Jamestown and Pipestem dams.

“The next survey of the snow in the basin will be the week of Feb. 21,” Martin said. “The corps may make their forecasts by the end of the month.”

Sun reporter Keith Norman can be reached at (701) 952-8452 or by e-mail at knorman@jamestownsun.com

Tags: local news, james river, news, weather, flood, snow, water, melt, basin