(North Bay, Ontario, March 31, 2023) The average snow depth decreased by 2 cm and the average water equivalence increased by 5.0 mm since March 23, 2023 reports the North Bay-Mattawa Conservation Authority (NBMCA) who measures snow depth and water content as part of its Flood Forecasting and Warning Program.
“Average snow depth for all sites is 50.8 cm (190% normal) and average water equivalence is 176.0 mm (214% normal),” said Angela Mills, NBMCA Water Resources Specialist. In 2022, the average snow depth for the three sites was 24.2 cm and water equivalence was 87.3 mm at this time of year” she added.
“Snow depth has been decreasing through the month of March, but slower than in recent years and snow water equivalent has continued to increase,” said Chitra Gowda, NBMCA CAO, Secretary Treasurer. “Snow depth and the water stored in the snowpack are both above normal for this time of year and will increase with tonight’s storm. We are monitoring the snowpack weekly and watching the weather forecast closely,” she added.
Snow is measured for depth and water equivalence at three locations in the 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
|
Current Average Snow Depth for March 31, 2023 |
52.3 cm (197% of normal) |
|
Current Average Water Equivalence for March 31, 2023 |
184 mm (214% of normal) |
|
Average Snow Depth for April 1, 2022 |
26.6 cm |
|
Highest recorded snow depth for April 1 since 2012* |
75.7 cm in 2014 |
Corbeil Conservation Area (La Vase River Watershed, Corbeil)
|
Current Average Snow Depth for March 31, 2023 |
48.6 cm (193% of normal) |
|
Current Average Water Equivalence for March 31, 2023 |
175 mm (233% of normal) |
|
Average Snow Depth for April 1, 2022 |
25.2 cm |
|
Highest recorded snow depth for April 1 since 1988 |
71.9 cm in 2014 |
Shirley Skinner Conservation Area (Kaibuskong River Watershed, Chisholm)
|
Current Average Snow Depth for March 31, 2023 |
51.4 cm (170% of normal) |
|
Current Average Water Equivalence for March 31, 2023 |
169 mm (191% of normal) |
|
Average Snow Depth for April 1, 2022 Highest recorded snow depth for April 1 since 2007 |
30.2 cm 71.3 cm in 2019 |
The North Bay-Mattawa Conservation Authority (NBMCA) was founded in 1972 by the Province of Ontario and the NBMCA’s 10 member municipalities. NBMCA is one of 36 Conservation Authorities in Ontario responsible for watershed management on behalf of local municipalities, stakeholders, and the province.
The public can follow NBMCA on the web at nbmca.ca, on Twitter (@theNBMCA), Facebook (@theNBMCA) and Instagram (nbmcainfo).
For more information, contact:
Angela Mills, Water Resources Specialist (705) 497-4668
Chitra Gowda, CAO, Secretary Treasurer (705) 474-5420