For most of a decade we had cool wetter than normal summers. Reservoirs were full, regulation only happened late in the year and for only the latest rights. Then the switch was turned and beginning about the start of COVID the valve was turned off, the last two summers were hot and dry, the winters no better, things were looking grim, very grim. Montana made a call, which was recently rescinded.
But the streams and rivers were low, exceedingly low for this time of year. Each day I would drive to work checking out the local stream and it was pathetic, plus it time to open the gates on the POD's in the valley and start irrigation.
Then last night the rains/snows came. At the perfect time. We'd been getting moisture, some big rains and snows but it all was simply going straight into the soil, nothing was running off. An ominous sign, this late in the spring and no run off, everyone is on edge.?ÿ
Today!!!!
The pond outside my window is bursting, the stream is about to run over, hopefully it will return to the decade long cool summer pattern. I haven't even considered turning on my lawn sprinklers when last year they were opened up in early May. It might be July this year as cool and wet as it is.?ÿ
Over two feet of snow for some of the higher elevations, a pounding rain down low.?ÿ
Smiles everywhere!!!
Some pressure will be off the engineering and surveying communities to frantically get water projects done, that's even better news.?ÿ
