Oregon boasts a record and bounty of snowpack

[ben_meyers]

Winter deposits twice as much in the state's snow bank as last year and sets a record snowfall total at Mt. Hood Meadows.

It was snowy at the ski resort on Mount Hood during the same period in 1982-83, when the previous record of 623 inches fell. But this past winter's snowfall -- and last week's in particular -- had one advantage over the "Cascade cement" that typically falls in March, said Dave Tragethon, the ski resort's marketing director.(snip)

There's a ton of snow up there," Lea said. "But spring will eventually come to the mountains."

And when it does, Lea said, water supplies for fish that swim, farmers who irrigate and hydroelectric turbines that spin will be more than adequate -- they'll be abundant. About three-fourths of the state's water -- for drinking, hydroelectric power, irrigation, recreation -- comes from winter snows that melt during the warmer, drier months, recharging streams, rivers and reservoirs.(snip)

In March 2005, a dismal snowpack prompted Gov. Ted Kulongoski to issue a statewide drought emergency. But heavy spring rains soaked the state for weeks, erasing the emergency and recharging reservoirs many thought would never fill in time for summer.

Takes care of any drought for this season. Looks like the North and South West should be good this year.

[Birthmark]

1. Great news.

Water is really going to become an issue over the next couple of decades.