Uses of Natural Resources Conservation Service Snow Survey Data and Products

In the Western U.S., the annual accumulation of the mountain snowpack and the resulting predictability of streamflow have created a wide range and diverse use of Natural Resources Conservation Service (NRCS) Snow Survey data and products. The key factor in the West is how much snow falls and where it falls for water users to speculate what may happen and plan accordingly. Historically, the NRCS inventoried the mountain snowpack to predict spring and summer streamflow for irrigated agriculture. The installation of the SNOTEL (SNOw TELemetry) Network in the early 1980s and a daily climatic data set has increased the use of this high elevation data. Many customers use this data to assist in their day-to-day decisions, for winter or summer recreation, to hedge financial decisions, or for wise management of water as a natural resource. This paper discusses the importance of snow in the West, how it accumulates, and melts to provide our water supply, and associated decisions made each season to manage and plan accordingly based on the winter snowfall. A seasonal timeline illustrates when customers need and use Snow Survey data and products. The obvious, but also unusual uses of snow survey data and water supply products are discussed.