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Wyoming basins see 10-15% decrease in snowpack; central areas in ‘extreme drought’

(Dan Cepeda, Oil City File)

CASPER, Wyo. — Much of Wyoming is experiencing drought conditions with the central part of the state in “extreme drought,” the second highest level of drought indicated by the U.S. Drought Monitor’s weekly updates.

Drought conditions are expected to persist across most of Wyoming for the next three months, according to the U.S. Drought Monitor.

(U.S. Drought Monitor)

A weekly update from the Natural Resources Conservation Service released on Monday shows that snowpack (or snow water equivalent) is at 88% of the median across Wyoming.

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“All basins across Wyoming experienced an average 10 -15% decrease in snowpack/SWEs from last week,” Wyoming NRCS Hydrologist Jim Fahey said. “The Powder Watershed had the highest SWE in the state with 110%; while the Belle Fourche Basin had the state low at 42% of median.”

The NRCS shared the following map showing snowpack medians across Wyoming basins:

(NRCS)

This article originally appeared on Oil City News. Used with permission.


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