(North Bay, Ontario, March 15, 2019) Snow depth measured on March 14 remains about twice the long-term average for this time of year and water equivalence is about 60 per cent above the long-term average according to the North Bay-Mattawa Conservation Authority.
“Water equivalence has decreased about 20 mm over the past two weeks,” said Joel Harrison, NBMCA’s Water Resource Scientist. “However, more melting of the snowpack happened yesterday and will continue today due to the rain and warmer temperatures.”
The snow depth average at the three sites is 90.8cm (211% of the long-term average for this time of year), up 6cm since the last snow survey readings Feb 28. Meanwhile, the water equivalence of the snow pack has decreased by 17.7 mm to 182.7 mm (161% of the long-term average).
The long-term averages reflect measurements taken by NBMCA since it began measuring snow depth and water equivalence in 1987 as part of its Flood Forecasting Program.
NBMCA now measures in three locations including the North Bay Golf and Country Club (Chippewa Creek watershed), the Corbeil Conservation Area (LaVase River watershed) and Shirley Skinner Conservation Area (Kaibuskong River Watershed).
North Bay Golf and Country Club (Chippewa Creek Watershed, North Bay)
*Data prior to Dec. 2011 collected at the former Northeast Mental Health Centre, Hwy 11
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Current Average Snow Depth for March 14, 2019 |
95.3 cm (230% of normal) |
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Current Average Water Equivalence for March 14, 2019 |
179 mm(159% of normal) |
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Average Snow Depth for March 14, 2018 |
51.2 cm |
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Highest recorded snow depth for March 14 since 2012* |
95.3 cm in 2019 |
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Corbeil Conservation Area (La Vase River Watershed, Corbeil)
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Current Average Snow Depth for March 14, 2019 |
89.9 cm (199% of normal) |
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Current Average Water Equivalence for March 14, 2019 |
189 mm(160% of normal) |
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Average Snow Depth for March 14, 2018 |
42.6 cm |
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Highest recorded snow depth for March 14 since 1988 |
90.2 cm in 2001 |
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Shirley Skinner Conservation Area (Kaibuskong River Watershed, Chisholm)
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Current Average Snow Depth for March 14, 2019 |
87.2 cm (205% of normal) |
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Current Average Water Equivalence for March 14, 2019 |
180 mm (164% of normal) |
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Average Snow Depth for March 14, 2018 Highest recorded snow depth for March 14 since 2007 |
47.4 cm 87.2 cm in 2019 |
Summary, Change & Comparison
Average Depth for all sites 90.8 cm (211% of normal)
Average snow water equivalence for all sites 182.7 mm (161% of normal)
Change in average snow depth since February 28, 2019 6.0 cm
Change in average water equivalence since February 28, 2019 -17.7 mm
Average Depth for all sites March 15, 2018 47.1 cm
Average water equivalence for all sites March 15, 2018 105.3 mm
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.
You can follow NBMCA on twitter @theNBMCA and on facebook.com/NBMCA.
For more information, contact:
Sue Buckle, Manager, Communications & Outreach, (705) 474-5420
Joel Harrison, Water Resources Scientist, (705) 474-5420