The Battle of the Snowpack: Oregon vs. the Rest of the West

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With plenty of seasonal rain and enough mountain snow to bury a giraffe, the Western U.S. is quickly getting back on its feet after years of drought that drained reservoirs and dried up rivers, lakes, and streams.

Experts like state climatologist Larry O’Neill, who chairs Oregon’s Drought Monitor Advisory Committee, say that these less severe drought conditions were put in place because there is a lot of snow on the mountains in the West.

Andy Bryant, a hydrologist with the National Weather Service, said that the snowpacks keep summer water supplies going and make streams better for wildlife.

The Battle of the Snowpack Oregon vs. the Rest of the West

Even though most of Oregon is still in some drought, things are getting better because the Oregon Cascades are still getting more than 1.5 times their average annual snowpack. But how does Oregon’s snowpack compare to the rest of the West?

The U.S. Forest Service snow depth map shows that many mountain ranges in the West have 10 to 20 feet or more of snow, but it’s unclear which areas have the most snow.

A List of some of the deepest snowpacks recorded in the West using data from the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration’s automated snow monitoring sites to determine which state has the most snow.

Stay Alert and Prepared: Recent Weather Updates Remind Us of the Power of Nature-

Oregon

  1. Mt Hood: 15.5 feet
  2. Upper McKenzie River in the Willamette National Forest: 14.8 feet
  3. Crater Lake: 14.3 feet
  4. Taylor Butte, Willamette National Forest: 11.1 feet
  5. Little Meadows south of Detroit Lake: 11 feet

Washington

  1. Mount St. Helens: 18 feet
  2. Mount Rainier 15.5 feet
  3. Easy Pass, North Cascades: 13.9 feet
  4. Surprise Lakes: 10.75 feet
  5. White Pass Ski Area: 10.5 feet

The Battle of the Snowpack Oregon vs. the Rest of the West

California

  1. Leavitt Lake: 21.7 feet
  2. Meadow Lake: 21.6 feet
  3. Lake Tahoe: 19 feet
  4. Burnt Corral Meadows: 17.4 feet
  5. Gianelli Meadow: 17.4 feet

Idaho

  1. Bear Mountain: 22 feet
  2. Elk Butte: 19.8 feet
  3. Franklin Basin: 18.9 feet
  4. Chocolate Gulch: 13.5 feet
  5. Lost Lake 11.8 feet

Nevada

  1. Big Creek Peak: 16.5 feet
  2. Mt. Rose Ski Area: 15.4 feet
  3. Hole in the Mountain Peak: 9.4 feet
  4. Granite Peak: 9 feet
  5. Pearl Peak: 8.8 feet

Utah

  1. Alta Basin: 19.6 feet
  2. Clear Creek: 18.3 feet
  3. Monte Cristo: 16.6 feet
  4. Farmington: 16.5 feet
  5. Buck Flat: 16.2 feet
Louis
Louis Ebert

Louis Ebert is a talented content writer with a passion for creating compelling stories and informative articles. With years of experience in writing, Louis has honed their skills in crafting engaging content that resonates with readers.As a content writer for Focushillsboro.com, Louis explores the many facets of life in Hillsboro and the surrounding areas. From delving into the latest trends in local business to highlighting community events and leaders, their writing offers a unique perspective that captures the essence of the area.

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