The snowpack depth has increased 38 centimetres (almost 15 inches) since the North Bay-Mattawa Conservation Authority’s last snow survey two weeks ago, setting new records at all three sites since NBMCA started measuring snow depth in 1987-88.
“The snow depths at all three sites are almost twice the long-term average for this time of year. The average depth for the three sites was 85 cm, compared to the old record of 73 cm measured in 2001,” said Joel Harrison, NBMCA’s Water Resource Scientist.
The snow pack is relatively light and fluffy. While the water equivalence of the snow pack is 148.3 mm, 50 per cent above average for this time of year, the highest water equivalence was measured in 2001, at 189 mm.
The long-term averages and records reported reflect measurements taken by NBMCA since it began measuring snow depth and water equivalence in 1987 as part of its Flood Forecasting Program. There may have been higher measurements previous to this date or even in other parts of the watershed.
NBMCA now measures at three locations including the North Bay Golf and Country Club (Chippewa Creek watershed), the Corbeil Conservation Area (LaVase River watershed) and Shirley Skinner Conservation Area (Kaibuskong River watershed).
