Latest snow survey readings

Friday, January 18, 2013   by: Kate AdamsNorth Bay-Mattawa Conservation Authority
News Release

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Despite the recent mild weather and precipitation, snow levels and water content measured on January 15, have increased since the North Bay-Mattawa Conservation Authority’s last snow survey on Dec. 13, 2012. The watershed maintains a snow pack that is currently below normal, however, it remains too early in the season to predict the effects of the snow pack on the watershed.

Snowpack is the accumulated snow cover on the ground. A significant portion of the total precipitation that falls on the North Bay-Mattawa Conservation Authority watershed is in the form of snow.

Snow melt is a major factor contributing to flooding. The quantity of snow is usually expressed in terms of its water equivalent. The snow measurements are used in flood forecasting and flood risk studies.

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 January 15, 2013
21.0 cm (68% of normal)
Current Average Water Equivalence for January 15, 2013
5.7 cm (87% of normal
Average Snow Depth for January 15, 2012
39.9 cm
Highest recorded snow depth for January 15
since 1988 72.4 cm in 1990

Corbeil Conservation Area (La Vase River, Corbeil)

Current Average Snow Depth for January 15, 2013
29.3 cm (85% of normal)
Current Average Water Equivalence for January 15, 2013
4.6 cm (80% of normal)
Average Snow Depth for January 15, 2012
37.8 cm
Highest recorded snow depth for January 15
since 1987 63.0 cm in 2009

Shirley Skinner Conservation Area (Wasi River, Chisholm)


Current Average Snow Depth for January 15, 2013
22.2 cm (68% of normal)
Current Average Water Equivalence for January 15, 2013
4.1 cm (68% of normal)
Average Snow Depth for January 15, 2012
Highest recorded snow depth for December 13
since 2006 36.1 cm
52.1 cm in 2009

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, 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, members of Conservation Ontario.

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