At this time of year, we obviously have no idea of snowpack, and ensuing river flow next summer. Early-season snowfall is important to river flows the following summer. The fall snow seems to pack down, freeze hard, and last better. Late winter snow may bring the snowpack average up, but it doesn’t seem to last--at least, that’s my notion formed over the last 35 years. Late season snow, even if it doesn’t add to the snow pack, does build the ground water, and helps the summer's river level.
Snowpack doesn’t mean much for Main Salmon trips, which aren’t affected much by low water, but does have more impact on Middle Fork trips. A high snowpack means higher flows during peak run-off, and increased risk at that time, but allows a longer season before we have to start flying trips into a back-country airstrip to start. A low snowpack allows earlier trips in June, but also means earlier fly-in trips.
