Winter was third wettest since ‘86

The winter of 2007-08 was the third wettest since a computerized measuring station was installed at Camp Jackson in 1986.

After a wet December, January and February, March was dry, with precipitation in area communities a fraction of the historic average.

The snowpack totals peaked on March 14 at Camp Jackson, with 24.6 inches of water. While the lower elevation snowpack has mostly melted, the higher elevations have held relatively steady over the past month. The current water content in the snow pack at Camp Jackson is just under 20 inches.

Only in 1993 and the record breaking 2005 has Camp Jackson measured more water content than in 2008.

Camp Jackson is in the Abajo Mountains west of Monticello and north of Blanding. It sits at 8,600 feet altitude.

By comparison, the winter snowpack was close to normal levels at the La Sal Mountain measuring station.

The general trend is that snow pack totals peak in late March or early April. Snow pack fills area reservoirs and indicates the general water situation for the year.