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The Angler’s Guide to Snowpack Levels

Mountain snow melting into a river
Mountain snow melting into a river

The Angler’s Guide to Snowpack Levels

Study those snowpack maps before deciding where to fish out west this season.
Sport Hawk | 3.5.19

Skiers and snowboarders are not the only folks interested in how the 2019 western snowpack levels are shaping up. What’s happening in the mountains right now has a major influence on the upcoming fishing season with regard to run-off intensity and duration. Healthy snowpacks recharge vital aquifers and riparian areas, and they are vital to maintaining favorable stream flows, lake levels, and water temps.

Anyone planning a trip west this spring is wise to keep tabs on snowpack levels starting now. For instance, while Oregon has been facing a continued drought, the state of Colorado is tracking greater-than-average snowpack to date. For additional information, check out the Snotel website for regularly updated reports of snow levels and historical norms across the region.