Significant precipitation in February saw the East Kootenay snowpack increase to 89 per cent.
That figure is included in the latest snow survey and water supply bulletin from the province, dated March 1 and released Wednesday. It’s up from 84 per cent in February and is part of a province-wide increase from 79 per cent to 94 per cent, which is considered within the range of normal.
“Based on the number of stations, we would consider anything within 10 per cent of normal to be classified as normal,” hydrologist Jonathan Boyd of the B.C. River Forecast Centre said. “So it’s a healthy snowpack. This is maybe the most ideal situation.”
When the snowpack is too low, there’s the risk of drought, and when it’s too high there’s the risk of flood.
In the West Kootenay, the snowpack is 90 per cent, while in the Boundary it’s 123 per cent, which Boyd said raises concerns, although it isn’t the sole factor at play. Grand Forks was hit with severe flooding 2018 following a high snowpack, late start for the melt, and hot weather followed by heavy rain.