Scott Valley Snowpack at 16 Percent of Average

April 20, 2022

Liz Writes Life

Snowpack at 16 percent

So it is true! Our snowpack surrounding Scott Valley was measured at 16 percent of average on April 1, 2022. This is extremely daunting. The weather was relatively dry through March with unseasonably warm temperatures.

The local snowpack is measured by employees from the Klamath National Forest as part of the statewide California Cooperative Snow Survey program. This helps the State forecast the quantity of water available for agriculture, power generation, recreation and stream-flow releases for the year.

April 1^st is an important date, because early April is historically when the snowpack is at its maximum and provides the best data for the annual availability of water. Snow surveys are conducted early in each month of February, March, April and May. Sites have been measured for decades. The newest measuring site is on Scott Mt. and has been monitored for 35 years. The oldest site is at Middle Boulder, which has been monitored for over 70 years.

This year Middle Boulder #1 measured 1.5 inches. It is at 6,600 feet above sea level and has been monitored since 1946 and averages 62.4 inches on April 1st. Dynamite Meadow at 5,700 ft measured zero and averages 43 inches. Scott Mt. measured zero. It is at 5,900 ft and averages 47 inches. Etna Mt. did have 18.7 inches, but it typically averages 68 inches.

Yep, this is pretty sad. And this will certainly affect the stream flow in Scott River. Currently, Scott River is flowing at or more than 150 cubic feet per second at the USGS gage near Fort Jones. Farmers are irrigating their fields with their legal water allotments in Scott Valley.

Food supply shortage

Farmers and ranchers, along with their agricultural organizations, have been warning of a coming food supply shortage that could affect the entire world. The drought by both nature and government regulations in the U.S. West, along with worldwide supply chain problems on land and sea and then the Russia-Ukraine war is certainly creating a complicated mess.

To solidify the warning, U.S. Treasury Secretary Janet Yellen said recently that there will be “enormous” economic repercussions in the United States from Russia’s invasion of Ukraine in the near future. Yellen explained to the House Financial Services Committee that Russia’s invasion will also impact global trade and the flow of food and energy. That area normally grows a huge amount of the world’s wheat.

Yes, my opinion is that the U.S. must open its own pipelines and oil wells to become energy sufficient again. Be that as it may, I wanted to once again stress the need to have extra food on our shelves.

I am not encouraging hoarding, such as what happened with toilet paper at the beginning of the Covid-19 pandemic. But, the media is reporting that people are purchasing less at grocery stores. My suggestion is to do the opposite. If you can find the extra cash, purchase an extra jar or two of peanut butter, cans of chili and baked beans, tuna, chicken, coffee, tomato sauce and spaghetti sauce. Buy bulk instant milk, oatmeal and dried beans. Oh, also noodles, macaroni, pancake mix, flour and sugar. Purchase extra meat, wrap it and put it in the freezer.

Purchase what you normally eat or are willing to eat as in cooking beans from scratch. I use dried beef broth, garlic and minced onion to add flavor to my pinto beans. It may be well worth having a cushion of an extra month or two of food and other cleaning, first aid and clothing supplies if the shelves go empty.

Teen Art Competition

Here is more information on the Congressional Art Competition. The submission date is this Friday, April 22, 2022. So, it isn’t too late! Contact our California Congressman Doug LaMalfa’s office, immediately, at 530-223-5898 for information on how to enter.

The competition is an opportunity for talented high school students to compete and showcase their abilities. Congressional districts throughout the nation offer this competition and the winners from each state are displayed for one year in the United States Capitol.

This year’s theme is: Planes, Trains and Automobiles. America’s Open Roads and Open Skies. A variety of mediums are allowed.

Last year, Ruby Churchill of Siskiyou County, won the Dist. 1 Congressional Art Competition with a composition of an old rusting pickup surrounded by brush and trees. It was titled: Left Behind.

This year’s winner will be contacted by May 3, 2022.

May peace and calm be with you this week. Smile – just cuz it makes you feel better!

Liz Bowen began writing ranch and farm news, published in newspapers, in 1976. She is a native of Siskiyou County. Columns from the past can be found at: lizwriteslife.blogspot.com. Call her at 530-467-3515.

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