The Official Drought Thread

[Northwestcoug]

I took it as he was making the point that it came from snow and not rain. Lake Shasta is California's largest reservoir by far and it is filled about 90% by rainfall. Other reservoirs in the state, particularly those in the shadow of the Sierra, are much more reliant on snow melt. Minor distinction, but still significant.

Yeah that too. We get ~12 inches of rain a year. It's pretty dry but we don't have to worry about water levels the way Arizonans do. The snow falling on the Cascades accounts for the vast majority of Bend's water. We have a handful of small reservoirs for other areas in Central Oregon.

To answer the question, yes, there is still a drought in much of the west, but conditions have improved dramatically. It takes more than one banner year to restore aquifers after the drought much of the West has had, but I'm not a hydrologist, so that's about all I understand about the subject.

Yikes, it looks like I'm still in the severe drought category. I guess I should say, city residents don't worry too much about water, but I assume the farmers do.

[cowboy]

To answer the question, yes, there is still a drought in much of the west, but conditions have improved dramatically. It takes more than one banner year to restore aquifers after the drought much of the West has had, but I'm not a hydrologist, so that's about all I understand about the subject.

[bluegoose]

How is that different from how Utah and Arizona get their water? It all comes from rain and snow.

I took it as he was making the point that it came from snow and not rain. Lake Shasta is California's largest reservoir by far and it is filled about 90% by rainfall. Other reservoirs in the state, particularly those in the shadow of the Sierra, are much more reliant on snow melt. Minor distinction, but still significant.

[wapiti]

Not materially different. It's just that we never worry about the reservoir levels.

I don't know why Utah worries about it so much. Drought = clicks and ratings.

[Northwestcoug]

How is that different from how Utah and Arizona get their water? It all comes from rain and snow.

Not materially different. It's just that we never worry about the reservoir levels.

[mtnbiker]

Even though we're in the high desert, Bend gets essentially all of it's water supply from snow melt. Half from a creek source, and half from an aquafier that's recharged by melting snow into a porous basin. They are both replenished each year as long as we get normal snowfall. Local agriculture depends somewhat on reservoir supplies.

How is that different from how Utah and Arizona get their water? It all comes from rain and snow.

[BigFatMeanie]

Having moved from Arizona decades ago, I don't have to worry about water supplies much as I used to. Sorry for you southwestern people who moved to desert climates and are now nervous about shrinking reservoirs!

Even though we're in the high desert, Bend gets essentially all of it's water supply from snow melt. Half from a creek source, and half from an aquafier that's recharged by melting snow into a porous basin. They are both replenished each year as long as we get normal snowfall. Local agriculture depends somewhat on reservoir supplies.

And Oregon. Screw Oregon too for good measure!

[BigFatMeanie]

Mead is California's lake. For that reason alone, they'll never drain Mead.

Screw California too!

[Northwestcoug]

Having moved from Arizona decades ago, I don't have to worry about water supplies much as I used to. Sorry for you southwestern people who moved to desert climates and are now nervous about shrinking reservoirs!

Even though we're in the high desert, Bend gets essentially all of it's water supply from snow melt. Half from a creek source, and half from an aquafier that's recharged by melting snow into a porous basin. They are both replenished each year as long as we get normal snowfall. Local agriculture depends somewhat on reservoir supplies.

[falafel]

Mead will never be filled. Way too much water loss from having that lake around. Time to drain it and keep it all in Lake Powell.

Mead is California's lake. For that reason alone, they'll never drain Mead.

[Jeff Lebowski]

Powell will never be filled. Way too much water loss from having that lake around. Time to drain it and keep it all in Lake Mead.

Mead will never be filled. Way too much water loss from having that lake around. Time to drain it and keep it all in Lake Powell.

[Moliere]

First we'll fill Powell and then maybe if there is any left over Mead can get a drop or two. Screw Las Vegas!

Powell will never be filled. Way too much water loss from having that lake around. Time to drain it and keep it all in Lake Mead.

[BigFatMeanie]

Stay cold Utah, so lake Mead can get refilled.

First we'll fill Powell and then maybe if there is any left over Mead can get a drop or two. Screw Las Vegas!

[falafel]

Stay cold Utah, so lake Mead can get refilled.

[BigPiney]

By that chart, if Hartsville had a mountain, we'd have 390" of snow.

The mountain near here has 606".

https://www.mammothmountain.com/wint...in-information