Conservation Authority releases first snow reading for 2012/2013

North Bay-Mattawa Conservation Authority
News Release

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The North Bay-Mattawa Conservation Authority (NBMCA) has begun its annual snow pack measurements as part of its Flood Forecasting and Warning Program. While it’s early in the season to be an indicator of any trends or conditions, snow levels and water content measurements are currently below normal for this time of year.

The NBMCA will continue with its bi-weekly monitoring of the snow pack throughout the winter and into spring of 2013. Snow is measured for depth and water equivalence at three locations in the watershed. Measurements for the Chippewa Creek subwatershed are now being taken at the North Bay Golf and Country Club instead of the former Northeast Mental Health Centre on Hwy 11N which is now closed. Locations are selected to assist in overall flood forecasting related to the watershed. Data for the season can be found on the NBMCA website at www.nbmca.on.ca.

*North Bay Golf and Country Club (Chippewa Creek, North Bay)
Current Average Snow Depth for December 13, 2012
10.7 cm (71% of normal)
Current Average Water Equivalence for December 13, 2012
1.8 cm (63% of normal
Average Snow Depth for December 13, 2011
0 cm
Highest recorded snow depth for December 14 since 1988
9.4 cm in 2008
*Data prior to Dec 2012 collected at the former Northeast Mental Health Centre

Corbeil Conservation Area (La Vase River, Corbeil)
Current Average Snow Depth for December 13, 2012
20.9 cm (110% of normal)
Current Average Water Equivalence for December 13, 2012
1.8 cm (76% of normal)
Average Snow Depth for December 13, 2011
5.7 cm
Highest recorded snow depth for December 13 since 1987
43.2 cm in 1995

Shirley Skinner Conservation Area (Wasi River, Chisholm)
Current Average Snow Depth for December 13, 2012
18.5 cm (69% of normal)
Current Average Water Equivalence for December 13, 2012
1.8 cm (41% of normal)
Average Snow Depth for December 13, 2011
Highest recorded snow depth for December 13 since 2006
16.1 cm
41.1 cm in 2010

The North Bay-Mattawa Conservation Authority (NBMCA) was founded in 1972 by the Province of Ontario and the NBMCA’s 10 member municipalities. A non-profit organization, the NBMCA works closely with the public to balance human needs with the environmental needs of the region’s watershed. NBMCA is one of 36 Conservation Authorities who are members of Conservation Ontario.

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