More snow is on the ground this winter in some parts of the Bulkley Valley and Lakes District according to the BC River Forecast Centre.
In the Skeena-Nass region, snowpack levels are 73 per cent of normal compared to the 80 per cent recorded last winter.
“Getting into the micro side of things, it is the areas that were more northern in the Skeena-Nass that were a little lower in terms of their snowpack,” said Hydrologist Jonathan Boyd.
The Tsai Creek station about 40 kilometers west of Telkwa recorded an 82 per cent snowpack and Lu Lake, 35 kilometers west of Burns Lake, recorded 90 per cent.
The Upper Fraser West basin had an 81 per cent snowpack which was recorded in Burns Lake, compared to 35 per cent last year.
“A little bit below normal but not dramatically below,” said Boyd.
He added between 80 and 95 per cent normal is where they hope snowpack levels will be, minimizing potential flooding in the spring.
In September, precipitation levels increased which helped offset the drought conditions experienced in the region along with the snow.
“If we have another year where the snowpack ends up trending lower and depending on if we get favourable conditions in the spring, the risk of drought is still present,” said Boyd.
This year is a La Nina year which means more rain and snow are expected, along with cooler temperatures.
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