Montana Water Supply Above Normal, Looks Good For Summer
Montana’s snow pack continues to be far better than other states in the west. Water Supply Specialist Lucas Zukiewicz says most of the state is above normal.
"We're in pretty good shape, looking at our snow pack totals across the state, we are actually one of the few states in the west which has a snow pack which is at least normal, and we only have one basin in northern Montana which is there, the rest of our basins are above normal or well above normal," Zukiewicz said. "Really there are only a couple spots in the far part of south west Montana, the headwaters of Red Rock, which are below normal for this date."
Zukiewicz says some basins were at near record-breaking totals at the beginning of February and that all indications are that the state will be ready for summer.
"The National Weather Service Climate Prediction Center has foretasted above average precipitation and below normal temperatures through April," Zukiewicz said. "I think the groundhog also saw its shadow this year, so that's good news as well. We are just hoping that winter continues and we keep getting these storms rolling through the area. If we keep building on what we have we should have a pretty good water supply, come spring and summer, for runoff."
Some snowpack records have been broken this season, particularly in central and southwest Montana.