Early May 2023 Snowpack Report Above Average

The snow is melting in the Big Horn Mountains, and the May 1st snowpack reports reflect that.

According to the US Department of Agriculture, the Tongue River Drainage area is at 116% of the 30-year average and that is unchanged from last month.

Currently numbers are at 92% compared to this time last year.

They were at 148% at the beginning of April.

The Clear Creek Drainage is at 123% and 99% respectively, while the Powder River Drainage area is at 109% of its 30-year average.

State-wide, the snowpack numbers are at 130% of the 30-year average, with the Cheyenne River basin at 550% and the Belle Fourche basin at 431%.

The USDA says this may be the final snowpack report for the year, unless there’s enough snow still on the ground in the mountains at the beginning of June to warrant one more report.