Precipitation in the form of snowfall plays the dominant role in year-to-year streamflow variability in the Uncompahgre River Watershed, but air temperature also has a significant impact. In the spring, the air temperature rises, snowmelt begins, and streamflow increases. This generally begins when nighttime temperatures stay at or above freezing (see blue line in the … Read more
We’re on track to have a banner year when it comes to rain and snow. While we don’t know how much has fallen on each and every acre, we have a good idea of the big picture from cumulative precipitation (aka accumulated inches of water from rain and snow in any one spot over a given period of time). This is measured at weather … Read more
Snowpack is the snow that accumulates on the ground. When it melts as liquid water, it supplies much of the streamflow in streams and rivers, especially in a mountainous watershed like the Uncompahgre. Snowpack varies considerably over time and space according to local conditions like air temperature, relative humidity, wind, slope, and sun exposure. It … Read more
