Snow pack is below average so far

Despite the early snowfall this year, the snow pack readings indicate a below average season -- so far.

Officials are taking a wait-and-see attitude about the winter and its effects on spring water levels.

Kyle Gorman of the Deschutes County Water Master's Office said, "It's too early to tell.

There are no indicators right now for how much water we will have to irrigate with this spring. Official readings don't begin until January 1."

For the Deschutes and Crooked River Basins the overall snow pack is 80 percent of average for December 3. The average is based on historical data from 1971 to 2000.

"A lot could happen between now and New Year's Day," said Gorman.

There are 10 sites where the snow pack is measured in the Deschutes and Crooked River Basins. The elevations of these sites range from 4,760 to 6,220 feet.

The sites are called "snow-tels," short for snow telemetry. When the readings are taken, the content of water in the snow is what's measured, not the depth of the pack.

"It's the weight of the snow," said Gorman.

The site in Three Creek Meadow for the Squaw Creek drainage basin is at 67 percent of average for December 3. The actual water content in the snow is 2.9 inches, while the average is 4.3 inches.