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Basin snowfall should increase after New Year
By
Ty Beaver, Herald and News 12/11/07
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The Klamath Basin may not have a white Christmas, but weather experts say
the months following should make up for an early lack of snow.
A
seasonal forecast released by the Oregon Department of Agriculture indicated
that Oregon should receive above-average precipitation this winter.
Lower
than average temperature also are expected.
The
bulk of the snow isn’t expected until after January.
The
forecasted above-average precipitation is welcome news for those dealing
with Klamath Basin water issues. Irrigators, wildlife and habitat could all
benefit from an increase in water supplies. Officials noted that the snow
still needs to fall, and one good water year will not solve long-term
problems.
“We’re
looking for the point where we aren’t biting our fingers all winter,” said
Greg Addington, executive director of the Klamath Water Users Association.
Strong
cooling
In
his seasonal forecast, ODA meteorologist Pete Parsons said a strong cooling
of
the Pacific Ocean would contribute to colder and wetter winter weather in
Oregon.
Called
La Niña , the weather phenomenon occurs every three to seven years. Parsons
says this is the strongest in the past two decades. The winter precipitation
often comes late in the season with La Niñas.
Parsons’
forecast is something the Bureau of Reclamation relies on for the coming
year. Cecil Lesley, chief of water and land with the Bureau, said his agency
also is counting on a decent amount of precipitation this winter.
“Every
little bit is very, very important,” he said.
January
to March
Most
of the precipitation is expected to come between January and March.
The
region already has a bit of a jump thanks to the rainstorms that hit the
Basin in October. The heavy rain helped charge supplies
before the winter freeze moved in, Lesley said.
Other
local officials are glad to hear the good news, but point out the predicted
weather has yet to occur.
Willie
Riggs, director of the Klamath Basin Research and Extension Center, said
it’s critical precipitation be accompanied by temperatures to preserve it as
snowpack for as long as possible.
Central
Oregon warmer
Parsons’
forecast indicates that Central Oregon could have a warmer than normal
weather despite cold temperatures expected west of the Cascades.
Addington
said irrigators he represents will be happy to see stable water supplies in
the coming year, but more long-term water storage capacity is needed to
prepare for the years when Mother Nature isn’t so generous.
“We
need to as much as possible to drought-proof ourselves,” he said.
Klamath Water Users Association
2455 Patterson Street, Suite 3
Klamath Falls, Oregon 97603
Phone (541) 883-6100
FAX (541) 883-8893
kwua@cvcwireless.net |