River water levels high for fall after wet winter

The summer months have been dry, but flows in the Carson River are still above normal for this time of year, according to East Fork Watermaster Julian Larrouy.

"River flows were 12 percent above last year's from April through July," he said. "Flows were above 80 cubic feet per second at the end of September, the first time I can recall that happening for quite a few years."

Larrouy, who does a lot of work at Alpine County reservoirs, said springs that would normally dry up by September are running as if it were the middle of summer. Adding to the bonus, the ample water and a relatively hot, dry summer meant ranchers also did very well, he said.

"Usually when we have a lot of precipitation we have cold springs and rain in the summer," he said. "That messes up the hay crops, but this has been a good year."

Precipitation totals from June of 2005 until July of 2006 totalled 17.29 inches, well above the average of 8.62 inches, according to Minden Weather Watcher Stan Kapler.

Last year's snowfall totalled 31.9 inches, well below the previous year's totals of 44.6 inches but above the 22.5-inch average, according to figures from the National Weather Service.

With respect to predictions for the coming winter, Gina Beninato, meteorologist with the National Weather Service, said based on the indicators it could go either way, but when it came to this weeks forecast, she was more willing to commit.

"Temperatures will continue to cool down this week as low pressure moves in from the coast," she said. "We will see a significant cool-down through Sunday, with daytime temperatures in the 60s and snow at the higher elevations today through Thursday.

"Most of the snow accumulations will be above 7,000 feet, but we could see light snow at lake level," she said.

Over the weekend, .08 of an inch of rain fell in Minden. The Sheridan acres reading stood at .06 inches.

n Susie Vasquez can be reached at svasquez@recordcourier.com or 782-5121, ext. 211.