Recent storm systems turn snowpack in right direction 

By ALEX POWERS 

H&N Staff Reporter

January 25, 2012

     A series of winter storm systems swept through the Northwest last week, dumping snow and rain on the Klamath Basin. But the area will need a lot more precipitation before spring, forecasters say, to pull out of a deficit that has irrigators concerned.

   “This last storm was putting things in the right direction, but we’re still a long ways from even average,” said Greg Addington, executive director of the Klamath Water Users Association.

   Conditions affecting water usage this year could leave irrigators “no room for error,” he said.

   Irrigators have no water reserves. Additionally, government requirements on river flow and lake levels mean irrigators are the last to see water.

   “The combination of those things can spell disaster for us,” Addington said.

   As of Jan. 17, the Basin was in a moderate drought. While the storms added 0.88 inches of precipitation, Klamath Falls as of Jan. 23 had received 2.45 inches since Sept. 1 — a little more than one third the historic average.  

   To make the local average by May 1, Klamath Falls would need 0.1 inches of precipitation every day through the end of April.

   Addington said irrigators look to the snowpack to anticipate how much water will be available in the spring.

   Cold Springs Camp, northwest of Upper Klamath Lake, had accumulated 49 inches of snow as by Jan. 23, compared with 42 the same day last year.  

   Planning ahead

   Addington said KWUA officials and irrigators are planning for the growing season this spring. Water users had anticipated a bad season last year, Addington said, but snowfall picked up. “We’re preparing, but not panicking at this point,” he said.