Low Springtime Water Supply Predicted For Arizona

Winter drought has resurfaced in Arizona. Abnormal dryness has developed & precipitation in Nov. & Dec. has been less than 50% of normal across the north central mountain watersheds. Scientists from NRCS measure snowpack in Arizona's mountain watershed areas throughout the winter to forecast & track the state's surface water supplies for next year. Last year the state experienced the biggest shortfall of winter precipitation since the agency began measuring snowpack in the 1930s. This year the National Weather Service expects temporary relief from the long-term drought as a result of the on-going El Nino. Chief meteorologist Tony Haffer said precipitation from the El Nino should occur between mid-Jan. through March & predicts above-normal precipitation for the 3-month period. "Even so, a few months of above average snowfall may not bring us up to normal water levels, & it won't end the drought," he added.

Preliminary data from high elevation monitoring stations show that snowpack levels are 33% of average over the Grand Canyon basin, 38% of average over the Salt River basin, 40% of average over the Verde River basin, & 40% of average over the San Francisco-Upper Gila River basin. The Little Colorado River basin snowpack stands at 41% of average as of Jan. 1st. In the Chuska Mountains on the Navajo Nation, snowpack levels are 41% of average, while on the Defiance Plateau, snowpack levels were monitored at 31% of average.