The 

February Nevada Water Supply Outlook Report is available and there is some encouraging news for the Humboldt Basin.

Snowpack in the Upper Humboldt River Basin is well above normal at 180% of median, compared to 78% at this time last year. Based on SNOTEL data back to 1981, the Upper Humboldt Basin has only seen more snow in 1997 and 1984.  Precipitation in January was above normal at 119%, which brings the seasonal accumulation (October-January) to 148% of median. Snowpack in the Lower Humboldt River Basin is also well above normal at 176% of median, compared to 89% at this time last year. Precipitation in January was also well above normal at 152%, which brings the seasonal accumulation to 146% of median. 

The lingering effects of drought add a level of uncertainty to just how good the runoff will be. In the Humboldt Basin observed streamflow volumes in water year 2022 were at or near record low for a number of gages. In order to go from record dry to record wet in one year, there are some key puzzle pieces that need to fit together. Mainly, the hydrologic system needs to become primed by the rapid melt-off of low elevation snow likely assisted by rain. An event similar to the flooding that occurred in February 2017 would improve baseflows and boost runoff off efficiency later in the spring allowing much of the snowmelt from higher elevations to reach the lower end of the Humboldt River.   Click here to read the full Nevada Water Supply Outlook Report.