Mount Rose snowpack reaches 4th highest peak since 1981, more than 200% of normal

RENO, Nev. (KRNV) — With more than 15 feet of snow, Mt Rose Summit hasn't quite beaten its 2017 snowpack, but its getting close.

Monday, Hydrologist Jeff Anderson measured 188" of snow depth and 73.5" of water content for April 3rd's SNOTEL survey. This 2023 winter currently ranks 4th for the highest snowpack since 1981 at Mt. Rose. Of the 33 other measuring sites across the Eastern Sierra, the Carson Basin (290% of median) and Walker Basin(306% of median) have beaten their record for all-time highest peak snowpack.

"I would have to be swimming if I was standing here and all the snow was melted right now," said Anderson. "It was 211% of median for the day, so that's like two winters worth of snow that we've gotten in this single winter."

Other snowpack measurements such as Walker Basin (306% of median) and Spring Mountains (788% of median) are more than three and seven times the amount of a normal winter.

After a fairly dismal winter last season, Lake Tahoe sat at half a foot below its natural rim. Experts say this winter season will change that.

"At this point, the forecast is showing that we're going to be a little bit short of filling Tahoe, possibly about a half a foot. So depends on how the year finishes up," said Chad Blanchard, US District Court Water Master for Truckee and Carson River.

Email reporter Audrey Mayer at aumayer@sbgtv.com. Follow @AudsMayer on Twitter and Audrey Mayer KRNV on Facebook.