We woke up this morning with SNOW on the ground, again… Our local headwaters currently have 238% of normal snow pack for this time of the year. They opened 3 ski resorts near us for the Memorial Day weekend. We’ve had ENOUGH already. At this rate, run-off should end sometime next winter.
Can you tell that I need to go fishing? The problem is there’s no place to go that’s not cold, high, dangerous, and off color
Okay, whining mode OFF!
If misery loves company, it’s not much better here in Montana.
Look at today’s Snotel report for the various Montana watersheds: http://www.wcc.nrcs.usda.gov/reports/UpdateReport.html?textReport=Montana&textRptKey=7&textFormat=SNOTEL+Snow%2FPrecipitation+Update+Report&StateList=7&RegionList=Select+a+Region+or+Basin&SpecialList=Select+a+Special+Report&MonthList=May&DayList=29&YearList=2011&FormatList=N0&OutputFormatList=HTML&textMonth=May&textDay=29&CompYearList=select+a+year
I’m on the Yellowstone River, 35 miles north of Yellowstone Park, and at about 5,000’ elevation. It snowed on and off here yesterday, and more is forecast for today. The Upper Yellowstone watershed is now at 192% of avg. snowpack.
I did fish some yesterday, but it was mostly due to the fact that I had some spare time than that I actually expected to catch fish (which I didn’t).
The South Platte Drainage is at 266% of normal. Fishing will be confined to Tahosa and smaller lakes and ponds for a good long while. I’m not a betting man normally, but $10 says we will have a record number of rafting deaths in Colorado this year. The big runoff will draw crowds for the white water on the Arkansas and Colorado. Unless a dam breaks, the South Platte will remain pretty tame except for the headwaters.
Some friends went to Mammoth Mountain this weekend and called to say it was snowing. I thought they were pulling my leg. Man oh man. Snow on May 28 in the Eastern Sierras. Wild weather this year. Jim
I just checked the CA State Snow Pack conditions website - for our area it’s now at 259% and the snow water equivalency is 31.9 inches. I also checked in with Kirkwood Ski resort which is about 35 miles from here. They’ve had 12" in the last 24 hours. Most of our lakes are still iced over so we are really limited in fishable water.
Maybe in the fall, at least in Co. Arapahoe Basin Ski Area got 38" of fresh powder last week and hope to stay open till July 4th. July 4th??? Runoff is usually over by then. Aspen Mtn. also had plans to open for Memorial Day weekend.
Where I usually fish at a flow of 3-400 cfs is now running 4,400 cfs and it’s just getting started.
When is it going to stop?
Not today, obviously. Here’s a webcam picture of the Bozeman Pass taken about 7:30am this morning, Memorial Day 2011:
Rock Springs has 1/2" of WET snow, Bridger valley 6", Windriver Range, Wyo Range are well over 200% of normal snow depth and moisture. Welcome to the springtime in the Rockies!! You never know what you will get.
Seems to be the case all over! I think were just going to have to face the fact that this will be a high water year. Here in Central Oregon there has been a little runoff but the majority has not come yet but when it does I’m sure there will be some flooding! They had some major flooding in the John Day a few weeks back things have stabilized for now and the snow still falls here in town too Guess we just need to put our houses on stilts and go pound the rivers regardless of levels. Just remember, the fish tend to hold closer to the banks when the water is higher! 
Here’s a good idea about what rivers are doing around the NW and I’m sure you can find your area too:
http://www.nwrfc.noaa.gov/rfc/
Of course it helps when the water doesn’t look like chocolate milk and the fish can actually see the fly…or you can see the fish…or
Guess I’ll just go find a lake.
Chewy,
I was on the South Platte a few days ago between Mineral and Bowles and got a couple of rainbows. River’s running close to full, but shouldn’t get horrible unless the reservoirs fill up more than they like. Folks tend to underestimate the Platte through town. It holds some nice rainbows and browns but hardly ever gets fished.
Yeah, I was planning my Wyoming trip for June 29-July 5. I’ve rescheduled for July 20-26, and I’m not 100% convinced runoff will even be over by then…
2 days ago it was 107 in the shade and 100 degrees today and I would love to get some ya’lls weather
we are on severe drought conditions…rainy season is 10 days late and counting…grass is dead and water is several feet below normal…restrictions about to take place for using water…snow is wild…even in Alaska it has been pushing upper 80’s in Fairbanks…I have other friends that are flooding…not sure but i think the planet is angry
I know it is tough but count your blessings now. You could be suffering the same fate as the folks in Joplin Mo. They are busy burying their friends and relatives while picking up the pieces of their lives.
You Sir are right on …I Pray for em every day… actually for the whole planet
Hope conditions are better for you all today. Going to be in the mid 90’s with very high humidity here today. I am not complaining as I like the heat but it is way too early for the high temps here.
Hit 97 in the shade at home yesterday. What is this “snow” of which you speak?
Ed
I have told my Traci, my wife, to slap me if I ever complain about the Wyoming wind. At least it doesn’t spin, just some small dust devils once in a while.
One of the local radio stations did a gather of goods for Joplin and that area this weekend, five cargo trailers and trucks full gathered in twelve hrs. My wall tent was donated as I am downsizing the hunting camp. The one dj told me the Duschane(SP) volunteer fire departemnt was thrilled to see it, his words. They plan to use it for a portable kitchen/distribution center. I am thrilled I was able to help out, I didn’t think it would be so well received as it is 15 years old, smokey and does have a couple small duct tape repairs. Oh yea, 1 1/2" of moisture this weekend, yesterdays’ high being 48. A very wet year so far for this desert country.
Global Warming is the wrong term, what is happing throughout the whole word is major climate changes!
It was only 150 years ago, when the “Little Ice Age” ended. Now we are facing an unknown future to our planet, do to the buildup of Carbon Dioxide that eclipse all other climate cycles for the past million years…
Western USA, has been in drought conditons for the past 10 years. Boulder Dam is half full, few more years will be unable to supply electrical power and water to the Southwestern USA. The Gobi Desert in China is expanding, and the dust storms from the Gobi Desert are reaching Beijing China. The Sahara Desert is expanding and in some area of North Africa it has reached the shoreline of the Mediterranean Sea.
Everywhere regions throughout the world is experiencing major climate changes …