Key findings of the February survey:
- Snow depths and water content have increased significantly since the January survey.
- Five sites in Maine report over 30 inches of snow
- A dozen sites recorded over six inches of water content.
- Highest water content was reported in northern Somerset and Franklin Counties.
- The map of water content for February shows about 3-5 inches of water in the snow in southern, central and northern Maine.
- The snowpack in eastern Maine has slightly higher water content, and the greatest water content in
this survey is in the western mountains to the Canadian border.
- There has been a significant increase in water content of the snowpack since January, mostly in southern and eastern Maine.
- Compared to the last 10 years, much of the water content in the snowpack around the state is in the upper 25% of measurements, except for northernmost Maine and the western foothills, where the water content is normal.
It is important to note that historically, snowmelt alone has not resulted in significant flooding. However, snowmelt was a significant contributor to rain events that caused major flooding on the Kennebec River in 1987 and on the St. John River at Fort Kent in 2008. The Maine Cooperative Snow Survey:
The Maine Cooperative Snow Survey collects, interprets, and distributes information on the depth and water content of Maine's snowpack in the late Winter and early Spring, when the danger of flooding in Maine's rivers and streams is greatest. The snow survey is conducted each winter beginning in January with monthly measurements. In March, weekly measurements begin which continue until snow melt is complete.
The survey data is analyzed by staff from the Maine Geological Survey and U.S. Geological Survey, and maps are prepared showing the water content in snowpack for the State. This information is transmitted to the National Weather Service (NWS) for use in preparing flood potential statements and running flood forecast models. In the event of a significant flood, the NWS would use the data to refine its estimates of flood crests. The data are also distributed to the Maine Emergency Management Agency (MEMA) and, through MEMA, to county emergency management officials.
Posted on the MEMA website are maps showing water content in snowpack, changes in water content from the preceding survey, snowpack depth, snowpack density, water content in snowpack compared to historical values, and mean water content in Maine drainage basins. Also posted is table of snow survey sites with current readings listed.
The snow survey for February was completed during the week of February 2, and the final maps are available at: http://www.maine.gov/rfac/rfac_snow.shtml
The Maine Cooperative Snow Survey is coordinated jointly by the Maine Geological Survey and the U.S. Geological Survey, in cooperation with: - ALLAGASH WILDERNESS WATERWAY - BROOKFIELD RENEWABLE POWER, INC - COBBOSSEE WATER DISTRICT - COLLEGE OF THE ATLANTIC - MAINE FOREST SERVICE - MINISTERE DE L' ENVIRONNEMENT QUEBEC - NATIONAL WEATHER SERVICE - NESTLE - POLAND SPRING WATER COMPANY - CANADIAN PROVINCE OF NEW BRUNSWICK - NEW HAMPSHIRE DEPARTMENT OF ENVIRONMENTAL SERVICES - POLAND REGIONAL HIGH SCHOOL - SAPPI LIMITED
More information on the Maine Department of Agriculture, Conservation and Forestry is available at: http://www.maine.gov/dacf
No comments:
Post a Comment