In central Idaho the snow has finally started to pile up. It was a little later than normal, but now winter is here in full force. The last two days the Lost Trail Ski Resort (Salmons local mountain) has counted 28 inches of new snow, with lots more fresh the week before. Me, my family, and a hand full of other WRO crew have all been enjoying the great powder days lately. This also bring fourth a bright light on next summer. More snow now mean more water in the rivers next summer. In Idaho the Salmon River Basin is now at 90% of normal snow pack right now. The Bruneau and Owyhee River basins are currently well over a 100% of normal snow pack, this is good news. It means good chances of having water in the desert for next years spring river trips. The Flathead River Basin in Montana is 78% of normal so far, with still plenty of time to get up around 100%. SNOTEL for Alaska is not currently available, but I will guarantee those glacial rivers will have plenty of water. This data can be found at NRCS SNOTEL (www.nrcs.usda.gov). I will keep you posted on snow packs for WRO trips through out the winter. In the photo Matt Westfall, a WRO guide from Salmon.
Seth Tonsmeire
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