Snow depth and water equivalence remain above the long-term average for this time of year and are more than double last year’s measurements according to the North Bay-Mattawa Conservation Authority.
“There has been little change in the snow pack depth since the last survey two weeks ago,” said Joel Harrison, NBMCA’s Water Resource Scientist. “However, the snow water equivalence has increased as the snow has become more compact and less fluffy.”
The snow depth average at the three sites is 85 cm (167% of the long-term average for this time of year), up just .2 cm since the last snow survey readings. Meanwhile, the water equivalence of the snow pack has increased by 52 mm to 200.3 mm (177% of the long-term average).
The long-term averages reflect measurements taken by NBMCA since it began measuring snow depth and water equivalence in 1987 as part of its Flood Forecasting Program.
NBMCA now measures in three locations including the North Bay Golf and Country Club (Chippewa Creek watershed), the Corbeil Conservation Area (LaVase River watershed) and Shirley Skinner Conservation Area (Kaibuskong River Watershed).
North Bay Golf and Country Club (Chippewa Creek Watershed, North Bay)
*Data prior to Dec. 2011 collected at the former Northeast Mental Health Centre, Hwy 11
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Current Average Snow Depth for March 1, 2019 |
84.1 cm (168% of normal) |
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Current Average Water Equivalence for March 1, 2019 |
209 mm(165% of normal) |
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Average Snow Depth for March 1, 2018 |
49.3 cm |
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Highest recorded snow depth for March 1 since 2012* |
75.1 cm in 2016 |
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Corbeil Conservation Area (La Vase River Watershed, Corbeil)
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Current Average Snow Depth for March 1, 2019 |
86.5 cm (170% of normal) |
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Current Average Water Equivalence for March 1, 2019 |
180 mm(168% of normal) |
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Average Snow Depth for March 1, 2018 |
36.4 cm |
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Highest recorded snow depth for February 14 since 1988 |
98.6 cm in 1997 |
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Shirley Skinner Conservation Area (Kaibuskong River Watershed, Chisholm)
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Current Average Snow Depth for March 1, 2019 |
83.9 cm (162% of normal) |
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Current Average Water Equivalence for March 1, 2019 |
212 mm (199% of normal) |
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Average Snow Depth for March 1, 2018 Highest recorded snow depth for March 1 since 2007 |
31.9 cm 83.9 cm in 2019 |
Summary, Change & Comparison
Average Depth for all sites - 84.8 cm (167% of normal)
Average snow water equivalence for all sites - 200.3 mm (177% of normal)
Change in average snow depth since Feb 14/2019 - 0.2 cm
Change in average water equivalence since Feb 14/2019 - 52 mm
Average Depth for all sites March 1 2018 - 36.2 cm
Average water equivalence for all sites March 1 2018 - 94.3 mm
Sue Buckle, Manager, Communications & Outreach, (705) 474-5420
Joel Harrison, Water Resources Scientist, (705) 474-5420