OCAR4
SNOW + WATER
SUPPLY
Oregon’s mountain snowpack serves myriad economic, ecological, and social functions, and the snowcapped volcanic peaks are part of the state’s cultural identity.
Nearly every location in Oregon has seen
a decline in spring snowpack, and it will
continue to significantly decline through
mid-century, especially at lower elevations.
Mountain
Snowpack
Mountain snowpack acts as a natural reservoir which enhances summertime surface and groundwater supply. Meager mountain snowpack creates water scarcity in the state, as evidenced by droughts in 2015 and 2018. Snowpack is crucial for Oregon’s vibrant recreation industry.
In 2015, low snowpack resulted in a multimillion dollar loss in ski resort revenues in the Northwest. Recent research shows that the observed declines in snowpack since 1985 were smaller than they would have been without natural climate variability, which is expected to reverse and produce much larger declines. These changes in snowpack present a dual risk to the state.
Northwest will see decreases in April 1 snowpack in excess of 56%
Water Supply
In winter, increases in average streamflow will be the result of precipitation falling as rain instead of snow and rapid runoff, increasing flood risk in some basins. Summer flows may be reduced by as much as 50% in some basins, presenting challenges to junior water rights holders, hydroelectric power generation, and those not served by reservoir or groundwater storage. Lower flows also impact important commercial and tribal fisheries.
“ The biggest difference in our climate I have noticed is how places lower in elevation don’t get the same reliable amount of snow as they used to. I haven’t been able to ski in places I used to in the past and that’s crazy to me. ”
- Christian Boenisch, 50