River Commissioner Releases February Report

John Mendenhall, Spanish Fork river commissioner released the following report of precipitation for the past month.
Spanish Fork Water Commissioner’s Report
Strawberry Water Users Association
Board Meeting
February 8, 2012
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Precipitation at the Spanish Fork Power Plant for the month of January 2012 was 2.84 in. compared to .65 in. January 2011. Precipitation at the Power Plant was about average, but most of our precipitation in two rain events.
Today, February 8, 2012, the natural flow of the Spanish Fork River is approximately 80 cfs. Last year at this time the Spanish Fork River was flowing about 65 cfs. Delivery from Strawberry Reservoir today is approximately 35 cfs for minimum fish flows. Total flow in the Spanish Fork River today is about 115 cfs.
Snow pack in the Spanish Fork drainage remains much below average. Most locations report between 49% and 60% ove average now water content. Winter is winding down, and we only have a few weeks of time to put down some serious snow pack to be held until later in the spring to give us a sustained run off in the river. Storms that come after the first of March can be significant, but as quickly as they come, they go almost as quickly. Those storms after February just don’t seem to help or long term outlook when to comes to run off.
Now spring is around the corner and the weather that we will see at that time will control our water destiny.
Pray for snow!

John F. Mendenhall,
Spanish Fork Water Commissioner